In today’s technologically advanced, highly connected landscape, consumers are used to doing most things on their own. They can research topics to their hearts content, they can take advantage of self-help if they have questions or concerns in a given setting, and they can mostly buy and sell products as they see fit.
These days, it’s totally conceivable to buy a house entirely on your own – but it’s not necessarily a good idea. In fact, most buyers benefit from working with a real estate agent when buying a home. But why is this the case?
How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent
According to Estate.co, “Not all real estate agents are going to be equally relevant or valuable in your search for a home. It’s important to have some qualifying criteria in place before you begin your search.”
If you want to find the right real estate agent for your needs, you’ll need to do some digging.
· Start with a search (or referral). With a simple search, you can conjure a list of real estate agents in your area and start reviewing them. Alternatively, you can get a referral from someone you know and trust who has worked with a valuable real estate agent in the past.
· Narrow down by location. Regardless of how you choose to start, you should narrow down your list of available agents by location. Only some real estate agents will specialize in your chosen area.
· Pay attention to reviews and past successes. When qualifying real estate agent candidates, pay close attention to any ratings or reviews they have, as well as their past successes. Do they have a history of successfully helping their clients?
· Engage in conversation. Finally, start conducting interviews. It’s important to find a real estate agent who can demonstrate their expertise and get along with you on a personal level. This will set the stage for much better communication and a smoother experience overall.
Good Reasons to Work With a Real Estate Agent When Buying a Home
So why is it so important to work with a real estate agent when buying a home?
1. Expertise. Obviously, buying a home is a big decision. You may live in this house for the next several years, and you’ll be paying a lot of money for the privilege. It’s important to have someone on your side who has the expertise necessary to guide you through this decision. A qualified real estate agent can help you properly research your decision, weigh all the considering factors, and ultimately make the right choice for your needs.
2. Fees. Real estate agent commission structures generally place the burden on the seller. Your real estate agent will make money on the transaction they help facilitate, but this won’t come out of your pocket. For buyers, it’s almost like getting a real estate agent to represent you for free.
3. Options. It’s not hard to find a plethora of home listings on publicly available websites, but this still represents only a fraction of the homes on the market in a given area. Working with a real estate agent opens doors to new listings in back channels. It can also introduce you to deals that are currently off-market.
4. Tours and walkthroughs. It’s technically possible to schedule and facilitate tours and walkthroughs on your own, but these are superior when guided by a real estate agent, who can help you understand what you’re seeing and put it in context.
5. Professional advice. Your real estate agent will give you professional advice throughout the process. They’ll be happy to answer all your questions and clear up any points of confusion you might have.
6. Technical process guidance. There are some tricky technical steps involved with finalizing the purchase of a home. Your real estate agent is highly familiar with this process and can guide you through them.
7. Negotiation representation. You may already be familiar with some of the principles of good negotiation. But you’ll still be much more comfortable having a professional representative on your behalf in those formal negotiations. Not only will this spare you significant stress and headaches, but it can also entitle you to better bottom-line results.
8. Personal rapport. Buying a home is stressful, challenging, and time-consuming. Having a dedicated representative on your side can make the entire process easier to manage.
While working with a buying real estate agent isn’t strictly necessary during your home search, it can be incredibly advantageous. Commit to the finding a real estate agent who’s a good fit for your needs, and work with them to secure the best possible home purchase.