Selecting a Real Estate Agent

Choosing A Real Estate Agent

The Swansboro NC Real Estate market is flooded with properties for sale and real estate agents to sell them. Over the past year, the number of agents on Emerald Isle, in Atlantic Beach and in Swansboro have increased by roughly a thousand.

This means that it can be difficult to make an intelligent decision when choosing one. You might be tempted to select a friend to work with or maybe a neighbor or a coworker. What about working with a real estate agent from a large firm? Would it be better to choose one from a smaller firm or an independent?

While there are exceptions to every rule, here are some proven rules to apply when your goal is selecting someone who will look out for your interests and help you make a wise investment.

The Experienced Real Estate Agent

The real estate profession has a somewhat high turnover rate. This translates into a workforce that is made up of many newcomers. While, in most cases, there are brand new agents that have the best of intentions. However, why would you trust possibly the biggest investment you'll ever make someone without experience?

Look for a real estate agent that has at least two years of experience. If an agent is still in the business after two years, they have probably learned at least the basics of real estate.

The Dedicated Real Estate Agent

Another potential problem the industry has is the large number of part time agents. These agents have either retired from some other career or they work in real estate as a side job to earn a second income for the family. They may not really need to work at it full-time and might do it just as a hobby.

Regardless of their time in real estate, they may possibly lack the full-time commitment that you would like. When an agent is part-time, it could be difficult for them to stay up-to-date with all of the changes in real estate law. Not to mention the ever changing landscape of real estate marketing.

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The Educated Real Estate Agent

In some states, one can become a real estate agent quicker than they could become a beautician. In fact, in some states one only has to complete a forty-hour class and successfully pass a multiple choice test in order to get their real estate license. What this means is that a license does not automatically mean competence.

There are many advanced real estate education courses out there. However, the Graduate, REALTORS® Institute series (GRI) is the only technical and competence based program available nationwide. It is administered by the National Association of REALTORS®.

In order to use the GRI designation, the real estate agent must complete 15 eight-hour modules and pass the examinations. Only about 15% of agents are able to earn this accreditation. That being so, you still should be able to find a GRI in your area. Just look for that designation, GRI, after their name, possibly on their business card or web site.

Conduct Interviews

Before you hire a real estate agent to help you buy or sell a home, you should plan on interviewing a few agents in person, at least three. In order to do this, first get recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. Next, you should look for one that does a good job of marketing properties. Check out web sites; look through the local homes magazines and newspapers. This will show you some of the different ads that real estate agencies are using in your area. You are sure to see some that impress you, so those should be the ones to contact.

Then make some brief phone calls. Here you want to determine what agents are full time; who is really experienced; which ones have the GRI designation. During this stage, you should plan on calling at least ten agents. Out of those ten, you are looking for 3 or 4 to interview.

The interview itself does not have to be formal. You are simply getting an opportunity to meet and explain your needs and to determine whether you would be comfortable working with the agent. Some ask many questions during the interview. But, some just explain what they are looking for and listen to the responses they get as the agent proposes a plan of attack to reach those goals. Whatever the case, this is the time to determine what the agent can do for you.

Selecting The Real Estate Agent: The Decision

Selecting a real estate agent is an important decision that many homebuyers and homesellers do not give much thought. If you follow the suggestions above, you will find that there are excellent agents working for firms both large and small; both franchised and independent. So, in the end, you have to make the decision based on the competency of the individual agent, because you will be working with them on a day-to-day basis.

We are working on some online directories which will help you find the best:

Bookmark Us and check back for this information.

Also, see our article on getting a home mortgage loan to learn more about working with a home mortgage lender for a new home loan or to refinance your current home.

Plus, make use of our online mortgage calculator to figure out your monthly mortgage payment on your new house!