The most important thing when either buying or selling a home is to select the right real estate agent, but people usually go about it backwards. They read a newspaper or get one of the home magazines in the supermarkets, and they call about a home they see advertised. So the first thing you need to do is find a good agent, and let them find the right home in the best neighborhood. This now leaves you with the big question….”How do I find the best agent?”

Consult with friends:
Friends can give you a starting point, but don’t hire an agent solely on a friend’s recommendation. The agent’s personality is important, but there is more to a good agent then a friend smile. Your friend might have liked the agent, and the agent gave them coffee baskets as a house warming gift, doesn’t mean you will like them. Asking other people who have worked with the agent is very important, and make sure that the comments they provide are similar to the ones that your friend said too.

Agency first:
Choose the broker or real estate agency first, then ask the agency to recommend a couple of their best agents. Then stick with that person. If you see a house for sale and call the agent listed on the sign, that agent’s first concern will be representing the seller, not you, the buyer . Sometimes the broker is associated with a franchise, such as Century 21. If you select a franchised broker, you have the advantage of national name recognition and usually a strong national advertising campaign. Don’t be fooled into thinking just because they are with a franchise means that they are a good agent . You should select a firm based on that office’s reputation — not the reputation of the national firm.  Just because you like the Subway near your house, doesn’t mean you will like all of them (some have better service than others).

Ask a local builders : 
Builders have typically used agents to buy and sell, so they are familiar with what agents are able to get their clients the best deals. In talking with a local contractor like www.builderbuddy.com, you are able to get an industry insider’s point of view as to the quality of different agents.

Here are six basic questions you should ask any agent, whether you are buying or selling:

  1. Do you work full time? Generally, you’re better off with a full-time agent who keeps up with the local market, financing considerations and laws. On the other hand, a part time agent is able to dedicate more time to you and your home.
  2. When did you start selling real estate? Real estate is a field where people come and go quite often because selling real estate isn’t an easy thing to do, and many Realtors get discouraged and quit. Experience is very important when it comes to choosing an agent, so make sure yours has at least three or four years experience.
  3. Over the past year, how many homes have you listed? Or, how many have you sold in the past three months?
  4. Have you had any complaints filed agents you from a broker or client? It is not easy to ask that question, but it is very important to ask. You should also double check their answer with the local realty association and state licensing board.
  5. Can you give me the names and phone numbers of past clients for references? Once you get the list — use it!
  6. How often will I hear from you ? How frequently does the agent normally communicate with his clients and how (phone, e-mail, fax)? If you don’t like the answers you should discuss this at length until you’re satisfied you’re on the same wavelength.

Asking good questions is important, but ultimately you want to go with your gut instinct and someone that you are able to spend time with comfortably. Finding a local agent like www.homesincarmelin.com with a background in home building and real estate is a real plus if you are lucky enough to have someone like that in your area. No matter who you decide to use, the number one thing to remember is to keep an open line of communication with your agent and do not hesitate to let them know if you have a concern of any kind. Good communication is the key to any relationship.