Friends and family are great companions for dinners and holiday gatherings. But if your you’re selecting an agent solely based on relationship, you could be left holding the bag of poor real estate choices with a much longer life span than your leftovers. Your home is one of the largest investments you’ll make in your life time. Oftentimes, it’s our greatest asset in retirement. So it comes as a shock to learn that most buyers and sellers don’t interview their real estate advisor. Finding the best fiduciary to handle such an important financial transaction, can be done with asking 4 simple questions. 1. What’s your experience? What did you Realtor do before selling real estate? How long have they been in the business and what is their specialty? We all want to work with someone who has a great personality. But strengths like navigating contracts, negotiation skills and numbers know-how are crucial with making sure clients don’t end up in a precarious situation, leaving money on the table or overpaying. Knowing an agents professional background – both in and out of the real estate world - gives insight on how things will get handled when you’re in the weeds. ![]() 2. What questions do you ask my lender? While an agent is not the lending specialist, they should know the questions that need to be asked. Find out how they help you navigate learning the pros and cons of loan products, find your eligibility and options for down payment help and look for ways to reduce your mortgage payments once you’ve locked one in. Knowing how to navigate the world of the other providers puts money in your wallet and gives you peace of mind. 3. How much time do you spend with your clients? Is this the agent’s full-time gig or do they work in their free time? Do they use a team of transaction coordinators or other support? Understanding an agent’s capacity sets clear expectations on the time they will or won’t earmark for you. If you prefer to speak with the same person each time or don’t mind a few names to remember, find an agent who works the way you like. 4. What do your past clients say about you? Past experiences are a good indication of future ones. Find out what clients say about your agent. If references reflect the values you most appreciate, you may have found your love connection. If not, throw another cast in the Realtor pond.
Licensed to sell in the Commonwealth of VA
Equal Housing Opportunity For informational purposes only. Not intended as legal, financial or credit counseling advice.
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