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Picking the right real estate agent
07-20-2011
Picking the right real estate agent
July 20, 2011
Home buyers have a lot of choices when buying a home - choosing the right neighborhood, the right house, the right furniture and decor. However, their most important choice may be right at the start of the process, when they pick a real estate agent. Some home buyers may try to go it alone in the home buying process, but many might find the challenges and twists of the real estate market require professional representation. Additionally, not all real estate agents are the same,
making it important to know how to spot the cream of the crop.
Look for an agent with local knowledge
According to Freddie Mac, home buyers would be best-served to find a real estate agent who knows their preferred neighborhood well, since they'll be able to apply that knowledge of the local market to help get them the best price. Additionally, real estate agents who know a neighborhood like the back of their hand will be able to point out ideal properties quickly, allowing home buyers to cut down on the time they
spend searching for the right house. Bankrate.com reports it might be a smart idea to ask potential real estate agents for a list of a few past clients and contact information. Those past clients may be able to shed light on just how knowledgeable and helpful an agent was for them.
Check credentials
Some real estate agents are a better fit for buying certain properties than others, according to Bankrate.com. For instance, real estate agents with the letters "CRS" affixed to their names are Certified Residential Specialists, which means they've received extra training when it comes to selling and buying a home. Senior Real Estate Specialists (SRES) are trained at helping older home buyers, Bankrate.com reports, and there are other specialties as well. If home buyers are looking for a
particular type of property or engaging in a tricky real estate transaction, it may be best to look for a real estate agent who's certified in that field.
Look at recent sales
Some real estate agents will provide potential clients with information on recent sales and transactions, allowing home buyers the chance to see how successful they have been recently, according to Freddie Mac. That information can also let home buyers know how successful real estate agents have been in helping other clients buy properties similar to the one they're looking for.
About Coldwell Banker®
Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate. Coldwell Banker is the oldest national real estate brand in the United States and today has a network of approximately 83,000 sales agents working in approximately 3,100 offices in 50 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker brand is known for creating innovative consumer services as recently seen by being the first national real estate brand to create an iPad application and the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through its Coldwell Banker On LocationSM YouTube channel. The Coldwell Banker system is a leader in specialty markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® marketing program. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.
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