Purchasing a home is a huge undertaking and one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. Finding an experienced real estate agent to guide you through the process when you’re ready to buy is critical.
There are plenty of real estate agents fighting for the job, with online ads, newspaper listings, and yard signs all contending for the position. Finding the appropriate specialist, though, can be difficult with so many options. To ensure that you hire the best real estate agent for your purchase, follow these advice on how to find a real estate agent.
What is the Role of a Real Estate Agent?
As a prospective home buyer, you might think it’s simple enough to search for homes online, but a good real estate agent can manage the search for you by: staying on top of new listings, scheduling viewings and communicating with the agent representing the seller.
Agents also have access to a larger number of home listings than the general public. When it’s time to buy, a real estate agent may guide a buyer through the purchase contract, which is crucial in determining how much you’ll pay for a home over the course of a mortgage loan.
Homeowners may be tempted to try to sell their home on their own, especially in a hot housing market. However, there are still many time-consuming stages and fees involved in selling a home, which a professional real estate agent handles on a regular basis.
A qualified seller’s agent will know how to stage and advertise a house for sale, as well as which repairs are required and which can be avoided. It’s also worth noting that sellers are normally responsible for paying the buyer’s agent, so even if you don’t have your own agent, you’ll still have to pay a commission.
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Before you hire a real estate agent, follow these steps.
Before you employ a real estate agent, they will presume you have prepared for selling and/or buying a home. Here are some of the most crucial first steps you should take.
If you are purchasing:
A mortgage pre-approval is essential since it will help you narrow down your price range when looking for a new home. You don’t want to waste time looking at residences that are outside your price range.
This is particularly crucial for first-time homebuyers. A down payment (approximately 20% is ideal) and earnest money — a deposit that can be allocated to closing fees or the down payment once your bid on a home is accepted — should be included in your budget. You’ll also have to include in annual property taxes and insurance, which you’ll probably put into an escrow account as part of your monthly mortgage payment.
Determine the sort of home you desire, as well as the characteristics you require and desire. If you haven’t already, familiarise yourself with the towns and neighbourhoods where you want to live.
If you’re looking to sell:
It takes time to prepare a home for sale, especially if it requires extensive renovations. You may budget and prepare for repairs that will pay for themselves and allow you to receive the greatest price possible if you talk to a listing agent many months to a year before you want to sell.
If your home is messy, you will need to declutter it before putting it on the market. Clear away boxes you haven’t opened in decades, outdated furniture you won’t be bringing with you, and objects that are just taking up room.
Differences Between Buyer and Seller Agents
A listing agent can assist you in determining the optimum price for your house, preparing it for the market, advertising it, fielding offers, and closing the purchase. If you want to do it yourself, a real estate expert will have more experience and resources to handle all of those steps.
A skilled buyer’s agent will also assist you in weighing your options and ensuring that you are in a position to submit the winning bid. He or she may also be aware of off-market postings not available to the general public, as well as a network of contacts for the various tasks that arise during the purchase process, such as inspectors or appraisers.