How To Find A Realtor

by Debbie Goldberg 04/05/2018

Choosing a real estate agent is one of the most important things that you’ll do in the process of finding and buying a home or selling a home. Your real estate agent is a true ally throughout the process. You want to be sure that the agent you choose is someone that you trust and feel comfortable with. If you don’t know anyone who is an agent, there’s a few things that you can do in order to find an agent who is right for you.

Ask People Who They Prefer

You can talk with friends and family and let them know that you are in the market to buy a house. See if they have any recommendations for a realtor. You can also do a bit of research on prospective realtors. You can ask for a list of what gents have helped to purchase and sold in the past year. You can also contact clients directly if you’re able to get contact information. Find out if they were pleased with their realtor in the process. If you’re selling a home, you’ll have different needs than if you’re buying. You, of course, want to most money in the sale of your home. Yet, when you’re buying, you just want a great price and a dependable property.

For Sellers:

How long were the homes on the market?
How were the homes marketed?
Compare the price that home sold for with other properties in the neighborhood
What’s the strategy for selling my house?

For Buyers:

Compare the price of homes bought to that of other homes in the neighborhood
How long did it take clients to buy a home?
How long have you been an agent?

Look Up Your Agent’s License

Every state gives you the opportunity to look up real estate agents and see what types of licensing they have and if there has been any disciplinary action taken against them. You can probably find this information right online.

Find Out What Your Agent Specializes In

Some agents specialize in helping military families find homes. Some agents have taken classes in residential real estate. Other agents have accreditations in being buyer’s representatives. A good rule of thumb when looking for an agent is: if they have a lot of letters after their title, they have a lot of special qualifications!

Here’s what some of the abbreviations mean:

ABR

Accredited buyer’s representative

SRES

Seniors real estate specialist

NAR

National Association Of Realtors

ABR

Accredited buyer’s rep

CFR

Certified foreclosure resource

ASR

Accredited seller representative

Look At The Agent’s Current Listings

Just take a peek at your prospective agent’s listings online. This can give you an idea of the type of market that they may typically appeal to. You can also check the listing prices and see how long different properties have been on the market. If you’re buying a home, your realtor is able to represent you no matter who the listing agent is for a property, so keep that in mind.

Doing a bit of ground work before choosing a real estate agent can really be helpful in finding the right person to guide you through the process of buying or selling a property.

Real Estate

Realtor

Real Estate Marketing

About the Author

Debbie Goldberg

I'm a full time Realtor with over 30 years of experience yet young enough to embrace today's ever-changing scope of marketing and technology. Having grown up in Connecticut and moved many times (too many to count!) I can empathize with today's buyers and sellers. Strictly maintaining ethical standards and being a fierce advocate on behalf of my clients are things I take very seriously. As a buyer, you can expect me to listen to and evaluate your real estate wants and needs. I can assist in explaining relevant forms, agreements, and closing procedures. I will guide you through the process of finding the right home, negotiating your offer, adhering to all contract dates and terms as well as final walk through and closing procedures. As a seller, I will listen to and evaluate your goals, needs, and timing in order to properly price your home to get the maximum exposure needed to attract the right buyers. In addition to negotiating on your behalf, I will make sure we communicate throughout the entire process as we navigate the contract terms, finance and inspection contingencies, as well as all closing procedures. I was born in Japan, grew up in Hamden and lived in New York, Ohio and Southern California before settling down in New Haven county to raise two kids, two dogs and a cat. I'm passionate about good food and love to bake. Some of my free time has been spent volunteering at Temple Beth Sholom, a synagogue where my family has been members for over 40 years. I also spend time at Tower One/Tower East, an assisted living center in New Haven where my mother-in-law now resides. 30 years of helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals has given me the peace of mind to know that what I do everyday matters. If you are thinking of buying or selling please keep me in mind.