Knowing how to choose a real estate agent can help you match up with the professional that is right for you. There is a very active real estate market in Spokane, Washington, making it the perfect place to search for a qualified agent to guide you through purchasing or selling property.
Look For Qualifications
A great way to ensure that you are hiring a qualified agent is to view the qualifications. A few qualifications or memberships you may want to look for include:
- National Association of Realtors (NAR) membership
- Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
- Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR)
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
National Association of Realtors
Membership in the NAR indicates that a professional has agreed to a certain ethics code pertaining to real estate. Did you know that the term “realtor” is trademarked by the NAR? This means that anyone who markets themselves as a realtor must be a member to use that title.
Certified Residential Specialist
This credential is the highest credential that a residential agent can receive. It requires hours of education, a decade of industry experience, and high-volume transactions to qualify.
Accredited Buyer’s Representative
These agents work directly with the buyer and advocate for the homebuyer throughout the process. Earning this designation requires coursework, transactions, and an exam.
Seniors Real Estate Specialist
These agents specialize in services for sellers or buyers above the age of 50. The skills required to earn this specialization include relocating, refinancing, and strategic planning for seniors. To qualify for this designation, agents must complete SRES coursework and must be active members of the NAR.
Ask About Selling Strategies
It never hurts to ask for insight into the real estate agent’s process and strategies to stage and sell homes. At the Legacy Group, each agent works meticulously to ensure that your listing gets as much traction as possible. They have decades of collective experience listing residential and commercial properties. It’s important for buyers to seek real estate professionals like this, and ask them the right questions.
Ask about the types of buyers the agent might appeal to, or the way they hope to stage the property. Ask about timelines and projected problems. These things will give you insight into whether the agent will be the right match for what you hope to get for the home and when you hope to sell it.
View Portfolios and Talk to References
It’s all talk until you see concrete evidence of an agent’s experience. Concrete evidence comes in the form of portfolios, reviews, and references. Ask your prospective real estate agent to speak with satisfied former clientele and see pictures of properties sold.
Examine Your Contracts
Be sure that you are comfortable with items on the contract, like the commission rate and the length of the contract. Typically, you don’t want a contract that extends for too long. Be sure to figure these things out before signing any documents.
There are qualified and professional agents out there that are the perfect choice to help buy or sell a property. Meet with the Legacy Group to learn about how our real estate services may be the right fit for you and your property.