How to Select the Best Realtor

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            Santa Barbara Best Realtor and Real Estate Agent Timm Delaney

            Local Real Estate Market Knowledge

            When selecting the realtor that will represent you in buying or selling your home, it is very important to select someone who is very familiar with your local real estate market. Preferably your best suited real estate agent will have grown up or has lived in the area for a long time. Being local has many advantages such as knowing the the neighborhoods, gated communities, homes, their history, and local trends. A local realtor will be able to match a home in the area that will best fit your lifestyle within your budget.

         2. Experience

            It is very helpful to hire a real estate agent with many years of experience because they will be able to advise you on every aspect of the transaction. From evaluating the market, pricing the property, finding the right buyer and tending to every detail of the process, experienced realtors can bring a lot to the table by simply having had gone though the process many times over again.

         3. Certifications and Designations.

            Realtors who have multiple designations and certifications area usually more knowledgeable and more experienced in specific markets and dealing with different clients. Here are some examples of certifiations ABR, CDPE, CHS, CRS, GRl, GREEN, HAFA, HRC, LRC, PSC, SRES, SFR. For example SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist certification will ensure that your real estate agent is equipped to give advice and present the best options to mature clients when they are faced with making life changing decisions. The HAFA program certification gives knowledge on Foreclosure Alternatives for Homeowners. The more certifications and more accreditation that your realtor possesses, the more educated advice you can receive from them.

         4. Home Price Evaluation.

            The realtor you select to represent you should be able to assess the value of your home to maximize your investment. This is very important in luxury markets because home values will vary from neighborhood to neighborhood and even from street to street. This is once again where a local and experienced realtor will play an important role in your home buying or selling process, often resulting in saving or making you thousands of dollars.

             

         5. Good Listener

            Ability to listen and understand your needs is an important quality in a great realtor. If you are buying a home, it is crucial that the realtor understands what are the most important features in your home such as location, layout, condition, proximity to the freeways or schools, because only then they can find a home that will become your dream home. From the sellers point of view, it is important that your realtor understands your motivation for wanting to sell your home, and if time is of the essence. If you are in a rush to sell, your best realtor will know exactly how to price and prepare your home for sale, so that your home does not sit on the market for months or even years.

             

         6. Photos and Videos.

            Most buyers first preview the homes they want to view online. This is why having top of the line photos and videos is of utmost importance. Often, buyers will travel out of town to view homes for sale or even buy properties solely after viewing photos and videos. When selecting your realtor, you need to make sure that they use the best photographers and videographers to create a great presentation for your home.

         7. Helps clean up and stage your home.

            Presentation and first impressions are extremely important when trying to sell your home. Your real estate agent should be able to advise what little repairs and touch ups you should make to make your home more presentable. Oftentimes, removing clutter and reorganizing furniture will significantly improve your space. Having a realtor with a creative eye and ability to tend to visual details is also an important aspect of selecting who will represent your home. Sometimes, your realtor will have a team or will also recommend an interior designer who will help stage your home to best fit it for the sale.

         8. A good negotiator.

            Your best real estate agent should be a great negotiator to make sure that they help you buy or sell a home for the price that you are happy with. Some less experienced realtors oftentimes try to just get a sale at any cost because they earn a commission regardless. However to a buyer or a seller, a few thousands or tens of thousands of dollars will make or break a sale. A good negotiator will be able to show value in your property to a prospective buyer where they will agree to your desired price. A good real estate agent will make sure that the escrow process runs smoothly and all inspections and document signings are processed in the timely manner.

Taking time to select the right realtor for you can have great benefits while buying or selling your property and can help you avoid making costly mistakes. Not only will the right real estate agent will have a positive effects on the financial results of your real estate transaction, they can also save you time and help avoid aggravation that may result from the real estate process and transactions.