No one wants to work with a realtor who isn't a great fit. How can you find the perfect agent for you? After some initial research into the real estate agents in your region of Georgia, scheduling interviews with a few who seem compelling is an excellent way to find the best fit. It’s important to select someone with the experience and resources necessary to help you make informed decisions during one of the biggest purchases or sales of your life.
Lisa Moss at The Moss Realty Group has a small team of Georgia real estate experts who understand that every client has a unique set of needs while in the process of buying or selling a home. Here are some of their tips for interviewing and finding the best Georgia realtor for you.
While one realtor may give an outstanding interview, it’s still wise to interview several before making a final decision. This will give you a chance to compare and contrast each realtor’s qualifications, achievements, and communication style. Depending on your desired area(s), one realtor may be more experienced in buying and selling a home in the neighborhood(s) you’d like to live in than other realtors. After each interview, make sure to thoroughly check the realtor’s website to confirm their experience. Finding testimonials of previous clients is another great practice after each interview. Compare testimonials from realtor to realtor to help you discern which agents have the strongest track record.
Prepare your questions
Photo courtesy of Pexels
You’ll want to make the most out of your interview. Agents are often very busy, and you don’t want to leave an interview wishing you’d asked something that wasn’t discussed, so planning questions beforehand is a wise move.
Seller questions
A few suggested questions for sellers include:
1. What is your price per square foot? This can add up, especially if you are selling a large estate. Crunch the numbers beforehand and compare each agent’s price to find the best deal.
2. Do you provide staging services? Are you an accredited stager, or do you work with one? Staging your home can make or break a showing. By effectively staging your home, sellers will land more offers on their home.
3. Do you use professional photography? This is a big one. Professional photos are usually a buyer's first impression of your home.
1. What is your price per square foot? This can add up, especially if you are selling a large estate. Crunch the numbers beforehand and compare each agent’s price to find the best deal.
2. Do you provide staging services? Are you an accredited stager, or do you work with one? Staging your home can make or break a showing. By effectively staging your home, sellers will land more offers on their home.
3. Do you use professional photography? This is a big one. Professional photos are usually a buyer's first impression of your home.
Buyer questions
A few suggested questions for buyers include:
1. What is your experience in the area? Do you have a specialty? You want a realtor who knows the real estate market in your desired neighborhood extremely well. It is also helpful to find an agent who specializes in the type of home you want to buy
2. How many clients do you currently have? Making sure the realtor has time to be available for you is paramount. That said, if they currently have very few clients, that can be a cause for concern without a reasonable explanation.
3. How many homes have you helped buyers purchase in the past year? While some realtors may claim to be working for “x” number of years, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have more experience working with buyers than someone who’s been in the business for less time.
1. What is your experience in the area? Do you have a specialty? You want a realtor who knows the real estate market in your desired neighborhood extremely well. It is also helpful to find an agent who specializes in the type of home you want to buy
2. How many clients do you currently have? Making sure the realtor has time to be available for you is paramount. That said, if they currently have very few clients, that can be a cause for concern without a reasonable explanation.
3. How many homes have you helped buyers purchase in the past year? While some realtors may claim to be working for “x” number of years, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have more experience working with buyers than someone who’s been in the business for less time.
Buyer and seller questions
Questions to be asked by either buyers or sellers can include:
1. Why should I work with you? This gives you an understanding of what the realtor is like as a person, as well as their work style. The best realtors are patient, knowledgeable, and honest.
2. By what means and how often will you communicate with me? You need to know that your realtor will keep you updated on the status of your home sale or purchase. A good realtor will be highly accessible and in constant communication with you, be it through email, text, or phone calls. Find an agent who uses your preferred means of communication to ensure the best flow of communication.
3. How long have you been working in this area? This is another strong question. While some agents may have been in the real estate industry for a very long time, they may not have as much expertise in the town or neighborhood where you’re looking to buy or sell.
4. Can you provide me with referrals? Speaking to a realtor’s former clients can be illuminating. You can get first-hand accounts of what it’s like to work with the realtor and get a sense of their success rate.
1. Why should I work with you? This gives you an understanding of what the realtor is like as a person, as well as their work style. The best realtors are patient, knowledgeable, and honest.
2. By what means and how often will you communicate with me? You need to know that your realtor will keep you updated on the status of your home sale or purchase. A good realtor will be highly accessible and in constant communication with you, be it through email, text, or phone calls. Find an agent who uses your preferred means of communication to ensure the best flow of communication.
3. How long have you been working in this area? This is another strong question. While some agents may have been in the real estate industry for a very long time, they may not have as much expertise in the town or neighborhood where you’re looking to buy or sell.
4. Can you provide me with referrals? Speaking to a realtor’s former clients can be illuminating. You can get first-hand accounts of what it’s like to work with the realtor and get a sense of their success rate.
Trust your instincts
When it comes to finding the right realtor for your needs, it's important to trust your gut. This can help you identify the best of the best and find someone whom you can truly trust. After all, your realtor will be responsible for helping you find or sell a home, negotiating the best possible price, and ensuring that the entire process goes smoothly. How do you know whether a realtor is right for you? Here are a few tips:
-
Pay attention to how the realtor treats you during the initial consultation. Do they take the time to get to know you and your needs? Are they patient when answering your questions? Or do they seem rushed and uninterested?
-
Ask around for referrals. Talk to friends, family, and neighbors who have recently bought or sold a home in Georgia. They can provide first-hand insight into which realtors are worth hiring.
-
Don't be afraid to ask tough questions (such as those listed above). Your realtor should be able to answer any and all questions about the buying or selling process. If they seem withholding or ambiguous in answering your questions, move on to someone else.
By following these tips, you can narrow down your options and find the perfect realtor for your needs. If you’re looking to buy or sell Evans real estate or Augusta real estate, schedule an interview with experienced Georgia realtor Lisa Moss today to get the process started.
*Header photo courtesy of Pexels
