We’re thrilled to be back with another real estate post today, and thought we’d tackle this little topic: How to Hire a Real Estate Agent!
One of the biggest mistakes we see people make when going through any type of buying or selling process, is hiring the wrong Realtor. People simply default to hiring the person they know best, that has a license. Which is fine, and we get it. Most people don’t want to go through a hassle of sorts with figuring it all out. But if you aren’t careful, skipping that initial hassle can cause you a lot of hassle later. Especially if you’re concerned about the level of service they can actually provide.
I see others hire people because they say they’re a great negotiator. Are they though? And even if they are, should that be the deciding factor?
Others hire because they’re told this person has been in real estate since before the dawn of the modern age. {AKA Let’s all pat them on the back for getting a gold watch.}
But how should you pick your Realtor?
Here are some easy steps to picking your Realtor.
1. How to Hire a Real Estate Agent: Identify
Identify the pool of agents you want to speak with. It doesn’t really matter how you get this info: References, throwing darts, or random business cards… but develop a list of a few that you’re interested in.
2. How to Hire a Real Estate Agent: Ask Them Where You Should Start
Call them all, and let them know you’re in the market to begin looking for a home. I really think this process shouldn’t be some automatic default, like the above {usual} options. It’s okay to be discerning here. Ask them what the procedure is and is there anything you need to have or do before looking at a home with them.
Hint: If that list of things includes signing an agreement for them to be your exclusive buying agent, cross this person off the list.
Why? Ask yourself why would you sign an agreement when you don’t even know if this relationship will work. Sure, there’s a time to sign that agreement, just not on the front end. That agent is more interested in locking you in as a client than they are about being a great advisor to you. A good friend of mine, who is also an experienced agent, lives by the motto: you should treat yourself as a volunteer until it’s time to make an offer.
I love that line of thinking, because it reminds the agent that the most important job is to help you, not profit off you. Yes we, as agents, must profit to feed our families. But it should not be the driving motive. If it is, we cannot serve you well.
3. How to Hire a Real Estate Agent: Style Vs. Budget
Next, describe your style or the type of home you’re looking for in detail, as well as give them a top-end budget. Tell them you’ll send them some homes you’ve seen.
Once you’re off the phone:
• Send them 3-4 homes that are nothing like your style, but in budget.
• Send 3-4 that are way over budget, but are closer to your style.
Then wait.
If they want to schedule any of the homes, this is not the Realtor for you.
Why? All this indicates is that they’re trying to move you forward. They are nothing more than a “yes man” for you.
You want a Realtor that will question the homes sent against what you described as your style, and your budget. Don’t get me wrong they’ll show you whatever you want to see, but they will push back on it.
Why is this important? Because you want someone that can understand what you want and question when something doesn’t fit into those perimeters. This agent will help you stay true to yourself, and the home you want.
4. How to Hire a Real Estate Agent: Connection
Pick the agent you connected with best, and have that agent schedule some showings.
Listen closely to what they say about the homes. Are they all glowing reviews, spending the majority of the walk throughs talking about the things they like? Or is there a nice variety where they mention aspects that are good, but are also quick to point out flaws? Will they even tell you this home is a bad idea?
Again, this is super important because you want a realtor that is just as willing to tell you not to buy a home as they are to buy one.
If your realtor only talks positively about every house, then they’re probably looking to close a deal, not get you into the best home available for your criteria.
5. How to Hire a Real Estate Agent: Knowledge Base
This will also clue you into their knowledge base.
If they only throw words out like “modern farmhouse” or “mid century” blah blah blah, then my guess is they’ve watched too much HGTV.
You want a realtor that understands the bones of the house. In other words, not someone who’s pointing out what everyone can see, but the hidden things. One who is truly understands homes.
6. How to Hire a Real Estate Agent: Honesty
I had a client who wanted to buy a home they loved. The home had some very positive aspects and checked almost all of their boxes, but there were some red flags I identified, and one was the trim work. I could tell by the way it looked, that the entire house was completed in a hurry, or by someone that didn’t know what they were doing. I explained this to the client, and what it should look like. This gave them a new way to look at the home, and then we began identifying other areas of the home that felt the same way. It was a nice house and met a lot of their criteria, but at that price point, there were a lot of little things where the builder really missed the boat. It just wasn’t the best move for them.
I could’ve easily sold it to them, but I advised them not to buy it, because in my opinion there were too many red flags.
Is your Realtor willing to talk you out of buying a house? If so, they’re a keeper.
At the end of the day, you need a realtor that places your interest above their own. Not a smooth talker, not a long-time agent, and definitely not just the well-dressed one. Not that any of those are bad in and of themselves, I just wouldn’t pick an agent on those criteria. This isn’t 1998 anymore and the ‘gold watch’ standard has really changed.
You want one that can truly be your friend, speak to you like a friend, and hold your interest like a friend. You want an agent who can hear what you want, and isn’t afraid to tell you no.
We hope this gave you an idea of what to look for, if you’re looking to hire a real estate agent! From the ‘interview process’ and connecting, all the way to finding the perfect home for you, a great relationship and should feel like one.
What are some things you’ve looked for in hiring an agent? We’d love to hear!
Be sure to check out the rest of our real estate series, here.
Contact us here to work with us + here to talk all things renovations!
Have an inspired day!
Leave a Reply