When you are looking to make a big change, you may need some help. That help should come from someone you trust. In this hot market, real estate moves fast, and with it, so do some of the big decisions. Here are a few reasons why having someone you trust as a realtor is important.
Experience
One of the key ingredients to a successful transaction and business relationship is experience – honest experience. Someone who has worked in the field for a long time brings valuable insight to each client. This helps inform pricing, amenities, location desirability, and contract details. What you want to watch for is the agent who claims to have experience, but does not possess it. This could be someone who claims to know an area well, but clearly struggles to inform you about surrounding schools, amenities, or neighborhood insights. Without this experience, the agent is an extension of your own research; they will not know any more information about the area than you! Obviously, this is a big problem. This is why experience is so valuable in an agent.
Record
Secondly, the agent’s record of producing listings and sales will guide you into an informed decision. Most agents will have a record of past sales and transactions recorded through their website or online portal. These transactions offer insight into their past experience, as well as inform potential clients of how successful the agent is in practice. Generally, a successful agent will have a minimum of 1 home sold each month, or about 12 homes per year. Anything above this number is a solid indicator of a true performer. Be on the lookout for any warning signs, especially if there either is no record at all, or less than 12 homes sold in a year.
Licensed
Finally, this may seem like a formality, but you may be surprised that some agents lie about being licensed. Licensing is important, because it verifies that the agent has gone through formal training and is aware of current market regulations. A great way to verify an agent is licensed is through the Real Estate Licensee Verification Database, or ARELLO. This database has records of licensed agents in their system, and is a useful tool for ensuring the agent you are considering is legally licensed.
Someone You Trust – It Matters
In summary, an agent’s experience, record, and licensing greatly affect your ability to trust them. With these tools, an agent can be a reliable asset in your journey. This is important in giving voice to your needs and providing you the best opportunity for success. For more great information on finding a starter home once you acquire a trustworthy agent, click here! Do not sell yourself short, and always remember to make a realtor someone you trust!
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