How Do You Choose a Real Estate Agent?

This is a question that I get asked quite often.  Choosing a Realtor is a very important part of your home buying or selling experience.  The “right” Realtor can help make your move as stress free as possible and the whole thing fun.  Choosing the wrong agent can cost you time, money and a whole lot of aggravation.

 When people ask me this question I always tell them the same thing…….choose someone that you like, that you trust and that listens to you.

 Liking the agent you choose to help you buy or sell seems like an obvious statement but it’s surprising how many people work with an agent that they don’t really like.  You will need to spend a fair bit of time with your agent and the experience is going to be that much better if you actually like to spend time with him or her.  If you wouldn’t enjoy having lunch or dinner with your agent are you going to like looking at homes with him or her?  Probably not.

Trusting the Realtor that you choose is very important.  This person is going to help you with one of the largest investments that you are likely to make in your lifetime so you want to know that he or she has your best interests in mind at all times.  Trusting your agent also means that you have confidence in his or her ability to do a good job for you. 

A Realtor that listens to your needs is crucial.  How are you ever going to achieve buying your two storey dream home if your Realtor is only showing you bungalows?  Many agents make the mistake of assuming that they know what their client wants rather than asking questions and listening to the answers.  Choose a Realtor that asks a lot of questions and then actually LISTENS to the answer.   Seems simple enough but this can be the hardest criteria to fill.

If you keep these three things in mind when choosing a Realtor you will have made a great move!