Buyers: Why hire a Realtor®?

Having an experienced Realtor by your side will give you the confidence that all of the decisions you’ll be making are informed and in your best interest. This saves you time and money, and as a buyer, you won't be paying agent fees. I'm here to protect you and make sure you get what you are looking for. Don't be afraid to interview a few Realtors. Continue reading for 7 Questions to Ask Potential Realtors.

Buyers: Why hire a Realtor®?

7 Questions to Ask Potential Realtors

The process of buying a home can be a full-time job, so hiring a Realtor to do the heavy lifting can really be a huge benefit. Realtors have access to resources the public does not, so they can help you get the best home for the best price. It’s best to hire an agent who belongs to the National Association of Realtors to be sure that she is bound by a Code of Ethics. You can ask family, friends and colleagues, who have experience working with Realtors, for a referral. Once you find a potential Realtor, take time to interview her to see if this is the person you want working for you. Just as you are sizing up the Realtor, know that she will likely be interviewing you too. Be wary of Realtors who don’t ask you questions and probe for your motivation. You wouldn’t work with just any agent off the street, and a good Realtor will be just as selective about her clients, too.

Here are some good questions to ask a prospective Realtor:

1. How are you different from other Realtors? A good Realtor won’t hesitate to answer this question and will be ready to fire off why she is the right choice. Most home buyers say they are looking for Realtors who are:

  • Honest and Trustworthy
  • Assertive and Excellent Negotiators
  • Available by phone, text, or e-mail
  • Good Communicators
  • Friendly and Good Sense of Humor
  • Analytical and Driven
  • Able to maintain composure under trying circumstances

2. Can I see/call your references? Every Realtor should have references. Even new agents have references from previous employers. When contacting references, ask how their experience was working with her. Were they pleased with the work she did? Was she easy to get in touch with? Did she keep them well informed? You want to be hearing positive feedback and find out how exactly the Realtor is different from others. Do they feel the Realtor helped them buy the right home for them within their budget and in a timely manner?

3. Are you familiar with my area of interest? It’s common for home buyers to have a specific area of interest or neighborhood where they would like to buy a home. Your area may have specific characteristics that your Realtor should know about. For example, if your area of interest is in Aksarben, she should know how to navigate possible issues that arise from older wiring in these houses. Some insurance companies won’t insure houses with fuses vs. circuit breakers, so your Realtor should have a plan to help you overcome this problem.

4. Will you be able to help me find professionals and services I need? Your Realtor should be able to supply a referral list of other real estate professionals that you may need such as lenders, home inspectors, contractors, and title companies. Good working relationships with other real estate professionals make the buying process much easier for you. Any referrals a Realtor provides shouldn't result in a financial benefit to the realtor. Make sure any referrals are based upon job ability and not because a kick-back is being dished out.

5. How much time will you dedicate to helping me buy a home? Hire a Realtor who treats real estate as a full-time career instead of a part-time job. Part-time agents typically don’t have adequate resources to help you buy your home in a timely manner. A Realtor with too few clients could signal that they don’t have much experience or haven’t been well recommended by previous clients. The flip side is to be careful of hiring a Realtor who is too busy. Working with a Realtor who is difficult to reach, constantly pushing the majority of work onto your lap or an administrative assistant's lap, and doesn’t have time to give you personal attention could lead to a frustrating experience for you. No one wants to be treated like they are just a number, especially when it comes to purchasing one of life’s biggest investments.

6. May I review documents beforehand that I will be asked to sign? A good Realtor should make forms available to you for preview before you are required to sign them. She should also take the time to educate you on the forms and why they’re important. If possible, ask to review these documents upfront:

  • Agency Disclosure
  • Purchase Agreement
  • Estimated Cost Worksheet

7. How will you keep me updated during the buying process? In most relationships, communication is key. You need to know, up front, how your Realtor will keep you in the loop. Ask for details about how accessible she will be for you, since you’ll have questions and concerns throughout the home buying process. Find out whether she answers phone calls, texts, or emails in a timely fashion and verify this when you check her references. Have you heard of agents that say they’ll go research homes for you and then are never heard from again? You need to be kept aware of sales activity in your area of interest as well as changing market trends. You should know when other houses pop up for sale, when they go under contract, and for how much. Make sure you hire a Realtor who has a plan in place to make you an integral part of your home buying process.

Once you’ve selected a Realtor, schedule an initial meeting with her. This meeting should review the home-buying process, the costs involved with buying a home, a set of questions to better determine your wants and needs in your next home, and a review of possible homes for you to look at together.

Are you prepared to buy or sell a home? 

I've got some questions put together for you that will help us get you moving in the right direction.
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What’s the home buying process?

Your home-buying homework just got easier. I’ve put together a list of what you can expect when starting down the exciting road of purchasing a home. It’s like a cheat sheet. Not that the process is too complicated, but isn’t it nice to know that you didn’t miss something important? Simplifying the process for you is kinda my thing.

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Not quite ready? Preparation Tips for Buying a Home within 6-12 Months

Most people have it in the back of their minds for months, even years, that they want to buy a home, but maybe you’re not quite ready yet. If you don’t feel ready to start searching for homes right away, don’t worry. Now is a great time to start interviewing agents (e’hem.. don’t forget to call me!) to see who is a good fit for you. Just let them know that you are not quite ready, and if they’re good, they’ll help you prepare.There are many things to consider when buying a home. I’ll start with the basics. Check out my preparation tips to help you hit the ground running.

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Helpful Hints for Moving

Moving draws in a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, the excitement of something new and different. A new chapter. But the process is easily underestimated. Let's plan ahead to keep the stress of moving away. Keep reading for helpful hints on preparing for a move.

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Understanding closing costs when buying a new home

This is pretty much my least favorite topic. I don't make the fees. They are just inevitable, whichever way you slice this pie. Having a knowledgeable agent that can spot unnecessary fees could really save you some money. Don't get too overwhelmed with this because we can work up an estimate of costs and fees so that you have a good understanding of what to expect. Here's a list of potential fees to look out for.

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Mortgage Contingencies

When you’re buying a house, there are a lot of unknowns. Contingency clauses in your purchase contract might help take away some of the uncertainty of buying a home by detailing conditions that must be met before closing will take place.

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Questions to ask a potential Realtor (for Buyers)

The process of buying a home can be a full-time job, so hiring a Realtor to do the heavy lifting can really be a huge benefit. Realtors have access to resources the public does not, so they can help you get the best home for the best price. It’s best to hire an agent who belongs to the National Association of Realtors to be sure that she is bound by a Code of Ethics. Be wary of Realtors who don’t ask you questions and probe for your motivation. You wouldn’t work with just any agent off the street, and a good Realtor will be just as selective about her clients, too.