When it comes to choosing an agent who would help you buy or sell property, it pays to be picky. The right choice can easily spell the difference between thousands of dollars lost, and thousands of dollars saved.
There are many people who share their experiences on the internet and tell their horror stories involving the poor choice of agents. Some people lost opportunities to buy good properties, and others failed to sell theirs for top dollar – all because they went with the wrong agent.
Exercising caution when hiring a real estate agent is an absolute must because not all agents are made equal. Although they are not all bad, there are those who perform better than others.
Here are some tips to choosing the right agent:
- Do a background check – look into the agent’s sales record to find out whether he or she has an impressive sales track history, or a poor one at that. Find out what kind of properties he or she was able to sell in the past and if any of them are similar to yours.
- Read reviews – find out what the agent’s past clients have to say about him or her. These people are your most reliable source of honest opinion and real feedback.
- Ask relevant questions – ask for examples and data relating to the current local real estate market in your area or the area you have your eyes set on. The more knowledgeable an agent is, the better.
- Judge by deeds, not words –there are lots of agents who are great at talking, but constantly fail to deliver. Promises are great, but only when they’re not empty.
Once you have chosen an agent you think is capable of meeting your needs, you must:
- Develop a good professional relationship –if you feel uncomfortable working with your agent, or if it’s as though he or she does not understand nor take your needs into consideration, it’s time to move on.
- Practise open communication – be open about what you want and what you don’t. Don’t shy away from opportunities that allow you to voice your opinion and make changes to the strategy.
- File a complaint – you may choose to do so through legal counsel or organisations such as the Office of Fair Trading, and the likes. When you report a negative experience you had with an agent, you are helping other vendors or buyers in the market avoid the same mistake. It also serves as a warning to other agents who need to improve and serve their clients better.
Choose your residential or commercial real estate broker Victoria as you would a house. It takes time, money, and energy, but it will all be worth your while in the long run.
