How to Confidently Choose a Realtor to Work With

You have many options when it comes to choosing a Glen Ellyn realtor to help you with your upcoming transaction. How do you know that you’re making the best possible choice? Finding a good realtor will take some extra time and energy, which may feel like a strain given the fact that you’re already busy preparing to shop for a new home or put your current home on the market. However, it’s an important step that you shouldn’t skip. Here are some questions to ask and things to consider as you work to find the best realtor to work with.

Many realtors collect reviews or testimonials from clients who they have worked with in the past. They may share some of these reviews on their website, but you’ll probably only find positive reviews there. If you look at a search engine or a third-party listing site, you’ll see both positive and negative reviews. If an agent doesn’t have any negative reviews, or if they have no reviews at all, this may be a sign that they are just getting started in the industry. Don’t be discouraged if the realtor has a few negative reviews if they are far outnumbered by positive testimonials from past clients. If you notice that an agent has more negative reviews than positive, or if all of the negative reviews follow a similar pattern, you may consider looking elsewhere.

Many agents only work in real estate on a part-time basis. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing since many great realtors will get their start in the industry while they work another job to continue to pay the bills. However, some clients find that a full-time agent is more committed and available to help their clients. You can figure out how involved your agent is with their real estate practice in a couple of different ways. Start by checking their sales history to see how many deals they have closed over in the past year. A full-time agent is usually someone who has closed at least 10. Another good way to determine their level of involvement is to try and contact them during regular business hours. If they are quick to respond, you can safely assume that they are working as a full-time real estate agent. If you don’t hear back from them until after the workday is over, they may be working another job during the day. Finally, you can check to see how active your agent is on social media. Many agents believe this is a great way to generate leads and make contact with potential clients.

The last section mentioned checking to see how many deals your realtor has been involved with over the past year. You can also learn how many of these deals have taken place over the past few months. This is important because it gives you a better picture of how recently your realtor has worked with various professionals like inspectors, appraisers, and title companies. These are all people who you’ll need to partner with as you look to complete your own deal. It’s helpful when your realtor is able to provide solid recommendations on companies and individuals who you can work with. Their advice will be better if it’s based on recent experiences they have had.

Most agents will agree to meet with you in person even if you haven’t officially decided to begin working with them. This is a great time to learn about their personality and style of communication. You can also take this opportunity to learn about how they typically work with their clients. Ask questions about their knowledge, experience, and skills. See how prepared they are for your first meeting. They should come with information about what the process of buying or selling your home will be like and what steps you should take if you decide that you want to move forward. Feel free to reach out to your realtor after this initial meeting with any questions that you have. Pay attention to how quickly they respond and to the content of the response itself. You can learn a lot about how your realtor typically interacts with their clients based on how timely and personal their response is.

Also, make sure you communicate with your realtor ahead of time if you’re going to be late or if you have to reschedule an appointment. Realtors often work odd hours during nights and weekends because they want to arrange their schedules around times that best work for their clients. It’s important to respect your realtor’s time by honoring these commitments and treating them with respect and professionalism.

Before you officially agree to work with a particular realtor, you should ask to see a listing agreement. This document will outline all of the realtor’s responsibilities in the relationship as well as their expectations for you as the client. Once you both sign the agreement, you will officially begin working together to buy or sell a home. The agreement normally outlines how long the two of you will be partnering together and what steps should be taken if either party wants to void or terminate the deal. You can ask your realtor to walk you through the agreement, or you can take a copy to read on your own time. Some people even bring in an attorney to investigate the agreement as an impartial third party. If you choose to do this, it’s best to work with an attorney who specializes in real estate.

If you’re thinking about shopping for Glen Ellyn real estate in the next few months or if you have a property to sell, reach out to the Lukins Home Network. Our agents work hard to ensure they get the best deals for their clients. Their wealth of knowledge of the local market and the area’s best neighborhoods set them apart from the competition. They would love to partner with you the next time you’re looking for a Glen Ellyn realtor to work with.