Buying or selling a home is often the biggest transaction most people make throughout their lives. During the overwhelming process, we make many decisions that affect the final outcome; one such decision is to find a real estate agent. Real estate agents, realtors, or brokers – as they are known more commonly – are professionals who help broker a deal between a buyer and a seller. They come with a database of interested buyers and sellers, thoroughly learn about the property they are set to broker and offer a neutral standpoint on the transaction. A good real estate agent can become a good friend who you can turn to for good financial advice.
Why hire a real estate agent?
Since the inception of the internet, real estate, like every other industry, has been digitized. There are plenty of online real estate portals that can list properties in any city at the tap of a button. It may even be tempting to cut the costs of the sale by entirely eliminating a middleman. There are several success stories of homeowners finding the right property through online portals alone. However, the lack of human touch and the versatility of an agent remains unbeatable. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a real estate agent if you are looking to buy or sell a home, even though online searches may seem plausible to you:
- Finding the right home is a 24×7 job
If you have even attempted to buy a home through online portals, then you may already know what a tiring and impossible task it is. Imagine finishing up work and then going out house hunting, placing calls to owners, planning a property visit, having your questions unanswered, dealing with dishonesty, and a lot more only to end up not finding the right home for yourself. Buying a home is a big step, and the task of finding a home yourself should not add to it. Here is where a real estate agent can step in and make things smoother for you and make the home buying a pleasant experience. With their endless list of properties for sale and access to a larger network, your chances of finding a good property are higher and less frustrating through a real estate agent. - Remove emotions during the sale
Like it or not, the truth is that real estate sales are highly emotionally driven transactions. You could end up buying or selling a home for a lot of wrong reasons and real estate agents can step in objectively and save you from emotionally made financial decisions. - Reduce legal risks
One of the biggest advantages of hiring a realtor is the limited exposure to legal risks. A good realtor has the best interest of both parties in their mind. They know ins and outs of a home sale process, the legal nitty-gritty, and the must-have papers to complete a deal and can predict to some extent any legal issues a home buyer or seller may face and the remedial actions to make things right.
- Negotiate on your behalf
A good real estate agent brings in broader exposure and expertise with which they can negotiate a deal that would be profitable to both the buyer and seller. Having a realtor negotiate the sale on your behalf compensates for a skill not many of us have.
Tips to find the right real estate agent
Knowing the advantages of having a good real estate agent on your side, how do you go about finding the right realtor for you? Let us help you with that too.
- Do you strike a chord with them?
Though it may seem very simplistic, finding the right realtor for you may sometimes be all about chemistry. Is your real estate agent able to strike a chord with you? Do they seem trustworthy? Are they friendly and approachable? A good realtor is someone you can trust your biggest financial decision with, it is only fair that they gain your friendship, respect, and trust. - Does your realtor come with referrals?
It is always safe and better to go with a realtor who comes with a strong referral. When you are looking for a realtor, seek referrals from friends and family who have experience in buying or selling a home. What better way to go about choosing such an important person than from others’ experiences with them? - Are they communicative with you?
One of the biggest and earliest red flags in choosing a realtor is if they pick up their phones when you call them. Given that you call them during reasonable times and their working days, a real estate agent must be someone who is always available to answer your queries, clear doubts, and alleviate any worries you may have. A good real estate agent has great communication skills that can help navigate through banks, attorney offices, government offices, and the other party. Communication bolstered by timeliness is a crucial skill for realtors to have.
All home buyers and sellers need real estate agents who are communicative, passionate, committed, and most of all, real. It is also important to go with your gut when choosing a real estate agent. Whether you are looking to buy a 2BHK flat or a luxury villa, a realtor will give you an edge you never knew existed. Buying an apartment should be a smooth process, and a good real estate agent ensures that it is a memorable and profitable one for you.
