Tips on Finding a Trustworthy Realtor
When buying a new home, chances are very good that you are going
to choose a realtor to help you with your home buying needs.
With many realtors out there, finding one you can trust may seem
to be a daunting task. Especially if you've never hired a
realtor before, or if you've ever had one whom you couldn't
trust, choosing a good realtor may be extremely difficult, if
next to impossible, to accomplish. So how do you find one whom
you can trust, and one who will simplify your home buying
experience? Here are a few tips to help you find the right
realtor.
Conduct Interviews
It's not enough to open the yellow pages and scan the listings
of realtors there. Ideally, going to the realtor's office is the
best option, but you may not have the time to do this. Chances
are there will be too many realtors for you to go visit, so you
may choose to conduct an interview on the phone. Be prepared
with a list of questions to ask, and expect frank and honest
answers. It won't take long for you to find out during the
conversation whether the realtor is honest, or if they are
simply a salesperson who evades your questions by giving you pat
answers, or fluff.
Ask for References
A good realtor will be happy to give you the names of satisfied
customers, in order to back up how trustworthy they will be for
you. Sometimes, many people will find realtors on word of mouth
alone. Happy customers will be delighted to talk to you about
your potential realtor, and many times, this will arm you with
the best information about the realtor you are considering.
Talk to the Broker
In some cases, talking opening with the broker about your
realtor's performance may give you clues as to how trustworthy
your realtor might be. This may not always give you the best
information, as the broker certainly wants your business in the
same way the realtor does, but a broker who is willing to talk
with you as a potential client may help you determine whether
the company the realtor works for will be behind you all the way.
Look for Communication Skills
There is nothing more frustrating than a realtor who does not
listen to your needs. If you tell the realtor that your maximum
price you would pay for a home is $200,000, and the realtor
continually shows you homes outside of your price range, chances
are very good that your realtor isn't concerned about your needs
or what you can actually afford, but is more interested in how
much commission they may earn off of your business with them. A
realtor should remember how many children you have, and how many
bedrooms you need, for example; and if you need an office, show
you homes with ideal office space; if you have a dog, then the
realtor should remember to find homes for you with a fenced in
back yard, for instance. You should never have to continually
remind your realtor what your needs are; if you are constantly
reiterating your needs, then it could be indicative of your
realtor either having too many clients, or not really interested
in what your needs really are.
Express Your Needs
A realtor isn't a mind reader, and it really is up to you to
make sure your realtor knows exactly what you are looking for.
If you are not sure what you are looking for, then it is in your
best interest to find a realtor truly interested in narrowing
down what you want. Ask questions. If you don't know whether a
school district in a particular area is a good one, for example,
and you don't have children, then it is the realtor's job to
help you understand that even though you might not be concerned
about schools right now, there is a possibility in the future
that it will be an issue. And while you cannot expect your
realtor to read your mind, a good, trustworthy realtor can still
anticipate your needs.
Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Some realtors only perform the minimum tasks in order to help
you find a home. A good, trustworthy realtor will go above and
beyond the minimal duties. Do you need help finding a loan
officer? Will your realtor locate one for you? Will your realtor
be present at closing time in case you have any last minute
questions? Will your realtor hand-deliver the title to the court
on the same day you close? Will your realtor investigate any
issues you may have with the home you want to purchase, like
will real-estate taxes be included in your price, or will the
appliances be included in the home purchase, or is the seller
going to provide a home warranty? Some things may not occur to
you now as a home buyer, but it should be in your realtor's best
interest to make sure they investigate any possible issues that
may come up during the course of the negotiations.
The key to finding a trustworthy realtor is to ask questions, no
matter how silly they might be to you. They should be familiar
with school districts, utility company policies, which cable
company is available to you, and other things that are not
necessarily part of your home purchase, but it is these little
things that make a realtor extraordinary, and one that you can
trust to help you find the perfect home.