Whether you’re hiring a mechanic, a barber, or a brain surgeon, you want the best you can get, one who will do the job well. And it’s no different when you need a real estate agent, whether you are buying or selling a home. Not only do you need an agent who knows real estate and has plenty of experience, but you also need an agent who will be a good fit. But with all the advertising and marketing hype, it’s no easy task to find the right agent. So here’s how to find the right real estate agent in Metro Detroit Michigan.
Different Needs of Sellers and Buyers
These days your agent has to be willing to do a lot more than put up a for-sale sign, get the property on the MLS, and wait for a sale to happen. And to further complicate matters, sellers and buyers have different needs when it comes to the right real estate agent in Metro Detroit Michigan.
SELLERS
Home sellers need an agent who is aggressive and proactive and who is tech savvy. Most home searches begin online now, so your agent (if you’re a seller) must be able to craft a compelling online listing, as well as being able to successfully leverage social media. According to real estate broker Damian D. Hall, “it’s scary how much Facebook alone knows about its users, but at the same time it’s pure gold for those looking to put a product – or in our case, a listing – in front of the consumers most likely to buy the house.”
BUYERS
For home buyers, one of the key things to look for in searching for the right real estate agent in Metro Detroit Michigan is a demonstrable track record of closing deals. The right agent will also be aggressive and non-traditional in hunting up homes for sale, doing things like searching for homes that aren’t on the market yet and directly contacting homeowners who may be interested in selling.
Start Looking Early
Because your real estate agent in Metro Detroit Michigan won’t be just someone who works for you, but your partner and ally, you need to begin looking for an agent very early in the process. The right agent, according to real estate pros, “can serve as your guide from start to finish during the home purchase or sale process, so don’t be afraid to start reaching out to potential agents even though you’re still not quite ready to put your house on the market or haven’t figured out which lender is best for you.”
What to Look For
The right real estate agent in Metro Detroit Michigan must possess certain credentials, qualities, and areas of expertise, for example:
LICENSURE
Your agent must be licensed in the state where she conducts business, which you can check by going to the real estate commission website for your state. You should also look for an agent with the designation Realtor, which signifies membership in the National Association of Realtors and adherence to a strict ethical code.
MARKET KNOWLEDGE
The right agent will also have knowledge of and experience in the local market. Such an agent can help you price to sell in the local market in your area.
AVAILABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO COMMUNICATE YOUR WAY
The real estate agent in Metro Detroit Michigan who is right for you will be willing to communicate often and by your preferred method, for example, phone, text, email, or in person.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
You also should look for a veteran agent who has assembled a broad and strong network of contacts and other professionals. Industry experts advise this because agents who have been in the business for quite a while and have built up a network “can bring in prospective buyers when you’re selling – and get the inside scoop about houses that’ll be coming on the market soon if you’re buying.”
Flexibility
The right agent must be flexible enough to work around your schedule, that is, being able and willing to show houses at your convenience.
GOOD FIT
When you find the right real estate agent in Metro Detroit Michigan you will have found a good fit between you. You are entering into a business relationship, and, as with any relationship, there must be some compatibility.
MORE THAN ONE INTERVIEW
Finding the right agent means conducting more than one interview with potential agents, typically at least three interviews before making a decision. The interview questions and requests should include:
- A list of the agent’s most recent references
- A list of recent sales – both number and prices
- How the agent plans to market your home or help you find the perfect home
In addition, you need to pay close attention to how the interviewee responds to your requests and questions. Veteran real estate experts say that “if an agent answers your initial request for information with a prompt, thorough and informative response, there is a good chance that agent will provide that type of service throughout the transaction.
An Easier Way to Find the Right Agent
Finding the right real estate agent in Metro Detroit Michigan is necessary, but can also be a time- and labor-intensive task. We can help make the whole process much easier and more productive with our experienced agents.