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How to Choose a Friendly Real Estate Agent
If you’re buying or selling a new home, then we’ve got some senior tips for home buying and selling. These are all related to finding the right realtor.
By finding the right one for you, you’ll be working with a realtor who really wants to get you the best deal on the right home for you—and who will have your interests in mind when finding your new home.
Buying Agents vs. Listing Agents
The first of our tips is for you to make sure you know the difference between buying agents and listing agents. Many people don’t know the difference, and they end up hiring the wrong agent for the job! You don’t want a listing agent, because there will be a conflict of interest.
Instead, go with a buying agent. They’re most interested in helping you find your new home, and you won’t have any dual agency issues to deal with, either.
Look at the Reviews
If you want to work with a good realtor, one of the best ways you can find out if they’re actually good is by looking at their reviews online. When you’re researching realtors online, read the reviews on their sites. Are their past clients happy with their work? Did they save them money?
You’ll also want to look for any red flags. If there are many complaints from past clients, especially ones related to them ending up in a home they do not want or losing a lot of money, then it’s best to steer clear from this realtor.
Experience is Important
Another thing you’ll want to look for in a realtor is experience. When interviewing potential candidates, ask them how long they’ve been working as a realtor, and how often they’ve closed deals.
The last thing you want is to be working with a realtor who looks good on paper but who knows very little about the intricacies of buying a new home.
Think About Their Personality
If you want to hire a successful realtor, they need to have a good personality. They should be friendly, open, and good at communicating. This is not only because they’ll be easier for you to work with, but also because a friendly, communicative realtor will be better at brokering deals.
Ensure They Listen
While realtors are the experts when it comes to buying a home, they need to be good at listening. Otherwise, they might not take your suggestions or needs into consideration when looking for the right home for you.
In addition to being good listeners, they should be happy to answer any questions you have about the complex process of home buying.
Go With a Local Realtor
You want a realtor who has extensive experience making deals in the area you’re looking for a home. They’ll know about the best neighborhoods, average prices, and where the best fit will be for seniors.
Trends can be different from one area to the next, so you want to work with someone who knows about those in the area you’re looking in.
While you are searching for the best real estate agent - check our learning videos to learn more about CCRCs near me, Assisted living near me or Memory care near me.