We can all agree that buying a new home should never be taken lightly. In fact, it is one of life’s most monumental decisions. When it’s time to begin shopping for your new home, you want to ensure that you find a prime real estate agent ready for your unique needs.
Hiring a trustworthy agent may feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. These seven steps will put you on the road to locating the right PA real estate agent today!
Step 1: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Sometimes, home buyers dive into their home search before speaking with a reputable mortgage lender about the home loan process. However, the best course of action is to get pre-approved for a mortgage before hiring a real estate agent.
When you get pre-approved, you know exactly how much you can borrow, helping you better identify homes in your price range. Additionally, pre-approval shows real estate agents and sellers that you are serious about purchasing a new home.
Step 2: Ask Family and Friends for Referrals
Ask people you trust for their PA real estate agent recommendations. You want to ask for information about agents with experience working with clients with needs similar to yours. For instance, people who are downsizing because of retirement often have different needs from first-time home buyers.
If you are relocating and don’t have any friends or family in the area, consider asking your new employer for real estate agent recommendations.
Another excellent option is to call your mortgage lender. We can provide recommendations for great real estate agents!
Step 3: Research Each Prospective PA Real Estate Agent
Online research can go a long way when looking for the right real estate agent. Read plenty of unbiased online reviews about each agent. Do people report that the agent is helpful, responsive, and educated? Or do they procrastinate and make excuses? Take the time to investigate what people say about their personality and professionalism.
Open houses are another great way to research agents. Open houses aren’t just for looking at homes – they also allow buyers to discreetly examine agents while getting a feel for their behavior and knowledge.
Step 4: Interview a Few Candidates
This step may seem foreign to some home buyers, but it is crucial to interview at least three real estate agents before hiring one. Home purchases are significant legal transactions, so don’t fear setting the bar high when interviewing candidates.
Here are a few great questions to ask when you speak to your three candidates:
- How long have you been working with home buyers?
- Will you provide me with at least three references?
- What are your credentials?
- What is your commission fee for selling a home?
- How many transactions do you handle each year?
- What sets you apart from other agents in the area?
Asking these questions lets each agent know you are serious about finding someone you can trust wholeheartedly. Don’t be afraid to ask any question that crosses your mind. Good agents should be happy to answer your questions truthfully.
Step 5: Take Note of Their Knowledge and Experience
During and after the interviews, take note of each agent’s industry knowledge and experience, whether mentally or on paper. While some new agents have a knack for real estate and come out of the gate “rockin’ it,” others need a few years to prepare for specific transaction challenges.
Many home buyers prefer to use agents with a minimum of three to five years of experience. However, buyers should use their best judgment when assessing agents’ knowledge and experience.
Quick note: Don’t forget to ensure that agents are familiar with and comfortable working in your local PA market.
Step 6: Confirm They Are Responsive and Transparent
As you reach out to agents and interview them, it is essential to ensure they are responsive and transparent. These two attributes are vital for a smoother real estate transaction.
A responsive agent will be more eager to give you the attention you deserve. Transparency is also crucial because it strengthens accountability and nurtures trust.
Step 7: Ensure You Feel Comfortable Working With Them
Lastly, this isn’t meant to sound cliché… But “go with your gut.” You want to feel comfortable working with your chosen real estate agent.
While knowledge and experience are critical, pick an agent you feel you can trust, especially if there are any transactional roadblocks.
Simply put, if you don’t vibe with an agent, choose someone else. There are plenty of other agents in the area that may be a better personality fit.
Finding a Trustworthy PA Real Estate Agent
We hope these seven steps have provided valuable information for your agent search! Don’t forget that getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the best first step in finding the right PA real estate agent – this helps you know how much money you can borrow AND is a great way to get excellent real estate agent recommendations. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like to begin the pre-approval process.