Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Potential Charlotte Realtor

 

Not all agents are the same. Let me repeat, no two agents are the same. If you  are reading this then you have probably gone ahead and decided to hire an expert to handle the time-consuming tasks and the nitty gritty details in buying a home. Awesome! Now what?

The first step is to research agents in your area. There are three different types of realtors you will encounter in your search. Seller’s Agent: A seller hires a seller’s agent to help him or her sell a home. Buyer’s Agent: As a buyer, you can hire a buyer’s agent. Unlike the seller’s agent, a buyer’s agent’s job is not to sell a particular home, but to find you a home you’d be interested in and help you along in the purchase and there are Dual Agents, these agents represent both the buyer and the seller in a negotiation.

Now that you know what types of agents are out there, I have put together 5 tips to help you find the right agent. Research and finding an agent whose philosophy and methods closely align with your own is critical, and be prepared to interview several candidates to find the right match. Below are the top five questions to start out in your interviewing process.

 

Start with the basics, how long have you been a realtor and is your license in good standing?

This seems simple and obvious but this can help sort through any realtors that don’t measure up. If you start with researching online for a realtor, take the additional steps to check your agent’s certification North Carolina’s Department of Real Estate, this information is online and it is simple and easy to start your search. You can also ask if they are a part of the National Realtors Association and other certifications as you get farther in the identification process.

Next get down to what your are really interested in – what is your experience with the real estate market trends in the Charlotte area and what is your method for finding, evaluating and listing properties that you show me?

When you ask your agent this don’t be alarmed if they rattle off a long list of properties. The busiest realtors are often the most efficient. But remember it’s not just about getting that new house, it is about getting a house that is perfect for you. Even if your realtor was referred by someone who you trust, buying a house is a serious purchasing decision. Your realtor should understand your own needs and without a doubt have experience in the area you are interested in purchasing in. How your realtor finds and evaluates these properties is also important – anyone can Google houses for sale in a certain area. What matters is that your realtor can evaluate and determine which homes are worth investing in. This makes the process more efficient and will establish trust with your realtor.  

Exactly what services do you offer for buyers?

This sounds like a given, but again knowing exactly what is included is critical for first time home buyers. While buying a house does come with a host of fees for buyers, the seller generally bears the biggest brunt of the fees: the real estate commission. A Realtor should provide you with a buyer’s net sheet (which will include down payment money, title search, recording fees, etc.,which should give you a good idea of your money outlay). Each home purchase or home sale is different so be sure you ask your potential realtor what his or her fees are and what is included with them.

Ask the realtor what is their process to walk a new home buyer through every facet of the buying process and how do they manage expectations?

Having an agent who has experience in working with first time home buyers can help you gain valuable insight from past clients and will put you at ease. Make sure you feel comfortable with this person and that you don’t feel self conscious asking all types of questions. First time home buyer realtors will lead you through the process step by step and make sure the entire transaction is transparent so you see everything and feel absolutely comfortable signing on the dotted line.

What questions do you have for me?

Remember, that whoever you are working with should be someone you can trust and that will put your interests in front of their own. If they care enough, they will ask you lots of questions! Come with a list of must haves about what you want in not only your home and area but also of your realtor.

Ready to get started? Send me a quick email at kimberly@savvyandcompany.com or call me at 704-560-1340.

 I’d love to sit down and answer all your questions about home buying.