Choosing Real Estate Agent

Photo courtesy of charteronerealty.com

Photo courtesy of charteronerealty.com

At some point in every person’s life, they will need to buy or sell a property. This means they will need to deal with a real estate agent. If you are looking at Bluffton Real Estate for sale, you want to be sure you have someone good working for you. If you are selling a property, choosing the right agent to represent your interests is critical. This is not a decision you should take lightly. All real estate agents are not created equal. The real estate agent you choose can basically be the difference to getting the price you want for your property, and having to sell it for less than its worth. Here are some tips you can use to go about selecting a good real estate agent.

1. Find out the experience of the agent
How long has he he or she been selling real estate? If they just started a few months ago, you should look for someone with more experience. The sale of your property is too important to leave in the hands of a novice who is still wet behind the ears. You do not want a real estate agent who is still learning the ropes to handle the sale of your home any more than you would want a student driver driving your child’s school bus. Ideally, you want to find a real estate agent with at least five years of experience. It is also important that the agent has worked for at least five years in the area where you are trying to buy or sell a property. This will ensure that he or she is familiar with the local real estate market and the various cities in the area.

2. Get references
Whether you are hiring a contractor or a real estate agent, getting references is always a good idea. You need to talk with some of the agent’s previous clients to get their feedback on the job the agent did for them. These references will help to paint a picture of what you can expect if you hire the agent. You can then use this information in your selection process.

3. Is the agent licensed
Make sure that the agent is licensed to sell real estate in your state. Each state has their own requirements for the licensing of real estate agents. You should also find out if the agent has ever been subject to any disciplinary actions in the past.