This will be one of the most important decisions you make in the house buying process. It’s almost as important as selecting the right house. The right realtor can make buying a house seem simple. The wrong realtor...well, take my word, and find the right realtor.
You’ll be making LOTS of contacts and spending lots of time with your realtors, so find someone who is right for you.
What makes a “good” realtor?
* Knowledgeable...about real estate, about the area you want to look in, and about your specific needs.
* Accessible...responds to your phone calls or emails, is willing to work around your schedule.
* Ready to help YOU first, make the sale second...sure, realtors make their living on commissions from the sale of houses, but if they help you get what YOU want, they will then get what THEY want.
On the other hand, a poor realtor will bring you to houses that DON’T fit the criteria on your list. WON’T work around your schedule. WON’T return your phone calls promptly. And WON’T put your best interests at the very top of the list!
So don’t think that ALL realtors are alike. Unfortunately, we learned the hard way.
If it takes awhile to find your perfect house, you’ll spend a lot of time with your realtor, and you want someone who is willing to work with you until you are comfortably moved in to your new house!
Where can you find a good realtor?
The first step is to ask people you know who have bought or sold a house recently about the realtors they used. You can also look in your local newspaper, phonebook, or on the Internet.
Make sure to ask lots of questions before hiring any realtor to represent you. There are a lot of details that go into buying a house. Once you get started, remembering all of those details will get harder and harder. A good realtor will be organized, and help you remember what you can’t remember when the house buying process gets complicated.
Then, ask for references of former customers – if you have the time, contact a few of them to find out first-hand about the realtors you are considering before you enter into an agreement.
There is no “exact science” to hiring a good realtor. But it’s not a decision to take lightly.
And, if you end up making the wrong choice, feel free to walk away and find another realtor – its your choice!
Kris Bickell is the owner of HouseBuying-Tips.com, a site that helps first time home buyers avoid the costly mistakes that many new homebuyers make. For tips on buying a house, getting a mortgage, finding a realtor, and getting out of debt, visit: http://www.HouseBuying-Tips.com, or sign up for the free “How To Avoid These 10 Costly Mistakes When Buying Your First Home” email course at: http://www.HouseBuying-Tips.com/course.html © 2005 HouseBuying-Tips.com
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