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Choosing A Real Estate Agent – 5 Ways To Vet Your Agent

You are ready to buy a new home and have been pouring over countless properties on various websites, but before you can visit the first property you need to engage a real estate agent. Selecting the perfect agent for you will make a difference, sometimes good and sometimes not so good, during your entire purchasing journey so it’s important to take the time to vet your options and make a wise decision. The best place to start is to begin asking your friends and family for referrals. Don’t be surprised if you keep hearing Nathan Fitts & Team time and again. After all, we are the #1 Real Estate Team and consistently ranked as Top Producers not only in Georgia, but nationally as well. We take customer service seriously and value our client’s time, ideas, and real estate requests. Because we believe it’s important for you to be comfortable and 100% confident in your decision, we have compiled a list of the top five considerations to use when interviewing and selecting your agent of choice. 

References

It is very appropriate to ask an agent for a list of references. You can request a listing of the properties they’ve sold within the last year. From that list, have your agent review what the asking price was and what the sale price became. You may also want to know how long the property was available on the market. Also, request contact information for three past clients to get a good feel for the service they received.

Track Record

The Georgia Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board provides both licenses and discipline for every agent licensed in the state. You can search online for a list of licenses, suspensions, and revocations. Furthermore, it’s helpful to note any accolades or recognitions an agent has received. Have they been recognized by their peers? By a regional organization? Find out if your realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors or if they have any additional accreditations for specialty services, additional education, and specialty trainings. 

Experience Level

How long has your agent been in the industry? Review their current listings online and confirm that they present themselves well, make full use of the available technology, and offer an attractive web presence. Experience doesn’t necessarily equal success, but the longer your agent has been in the business the likelihood of good customer service is higher and the chances that they’ll get flustered if problems occur is reduced significantly.

Area Knowledge

Is your agent a native to the area? If not, how long have they lived here? It’s important to find an agent that is very familiar with the target area you are interested in living. Good agents will have the “scoop” on the education and healthcare availability. They’ll share with you the best places to eat and shop. They can also let you know the history of the area so you can become more acquainted with the community. 

Communication

The absolutely most important component of selecting a real estate agent is choosing one that will communicate with you, keep you in the loop, and educate you along the way. If you prefer to receive texts or emails instead of talking on the phone, set that stage up front. How much do you want or need to know and when can you expect updates? While you understand you are not an agent’s only client, you want to make sure that your selection will treat you as if you are the only one. 

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