21 Sep 4 Qualities To Look For In A Real Estate Agent
When looking to buy or sell a home you’ve likely done a fair amount of research already. You’ve maybe selected the neighborhood you’d like to live in and come to know something of a price range you can expect to pay. If you’re selling, you’ve likely looked into how to tee yourself up for the biggest success possible.
However, have you done your research when it comes to selecting the real estate agent you’d like to choose? Below, The Fay Group goes over a few qualities to look for in a real estate expert before making your decision.
1.) Focus on Expertise
You want to make sure that you choose a real estate agent that has the most experience in the field as well as the market in which you plan to make your purchase or sale.
Make sure to consider the following:
- Best knowledge of the local market.
- Experience with buyers most like you
- Track record of success
Always try to take into account such key performance indicators as the number of closings per year, the average number of days a property stays on the market during the real estate agent’s oversight, as well as the average price of the homes bought and sold.
2.) Client Reviews
Checking out what previous clients have to say about the real estate agent in question is of paramount importance. However, don’t get discouraged if a real estate agent has a negative review — nobody is perfect. You do want to pay attention to how the agent in question handles adversity. If the agent does everything in their power to rectify the situation, this should be taken into consideration.
Real estate agents with excellent customer reviews generally go above and beyond the call of duty for their clients. Real estate agents with a poor overall score should be taken out of consideration.
3.) Connections
Choosing an agent with excellent connections in the real estate industry will always serve you well. These are all resources that will ultimately be used for your benefit. A great real estate agent will have close relationships with contractors, appraisers, banks, plumbers, and all the other types of personnel who are pivotal in making your homeownership dreams come true.
4.) Person-to-Person Skills
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, go ahead and start making some phone calls. Choose a real estate agent who is responsive and approachable. A successful real estate agent will generally have good overall people skills, making the experience less stressful throughout.
Looking for the right realtor and having some trouble making a decision? I can help!
I have been a successful realtor for over 12 years. As part of The Sibbach Team, we pride ourselves on being a market leader. We are constantly learning and expanding our education through extensive and ongoing training, field research, and client feedback. Whenever you’re ready for a superior client experience, give me a call at 602-329-7782. Get in touch with the Sibbach Team today to enlist the assistance of a Top 1% realtor in the Phoenix Metro area. We look forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals.
What is Earnest Money and How Much Can I Expect to Pay?
Purchasing your first home is an exciting time where there are many new decisions to be made. There are also more than likely going to be more than a few terms that get thrown at you that you might not fully understand at first.
That’s why The Sibbach Team is here — to provide information that will help put you in the very best position to make a successful first purchase.
You might be familiar with terms like escrow and closing costs, but maybe the term Earnest Money slips from your grasp. That’s okay! Once you get past the unfamiliarity of it, earnest money is quite an easy concept to understand. Just read on and you will have all the answers you need.
What is Earnest Money?
Earnest money is often called a good faith deposit — this is the money that you’re going to end up putting down if you get a home under contract. First off, congratulations! Now it’s time to let the seller know that you’re serious about seeing this deal through to its closing.
If a seller accepts your offer to purchase a home, they will end up taking their listing off the market in the name of this transaction being completed as discussed and agreed upon.
How does the buyer know you’re not going to back out of the purchase? This is where earnest money comes in. When a buyer has an earnest money deposit that they put on the line, it’s going to be far less likely to cancel the purchase on some sort of whim.
Is Earnest Money Mandatory?
Earnest money is not a legal requirement, but it does happen to be a widely accepted industry standard. Look at it this way: earnest money might not be required, but, if you want a seller to accept your offer, it’s going to significantly help your case.
How Much Will I Pay?
Earnest money might be different depending on the state you plan to make your purchase. In the case of the great state of Arizona, for instance, residential resale real estate currently has an earnest money amount equivalent that sits right around 1% of the price offered for the home.
Let’s say the home is selling for $1 million. The earnest money that a buyer would pay would likely be around $10,000.
Please keep in mind that the exact amount usually depends on certain market conditions as well as competition for the home in question.
If you’re buying in what is considered a seller’s market, for instance, the earnest money you end up paying might fall closer to around 3%. For a home that has sat on the market for a good long while, the seller is more likely to accept earnest money landing on the lower end of the spectrum.
Contact Elise Fay Today!
It’s okay if you have questions, because I have all the answers during your time of need.
I have worked tirelessly as a successful realtor in the Phoenix Metropolitan area for over 12 years. As part of The Sibbach Team, I’m excited to be working in tandem with a market leader delivering top 1% results for my clients.
Whenever you’re ready for a super-agent, give me a call at 602-329-7782. I’m here to help you achieve all of your real estate objectives.
I look forward to helping you on your home buying or selling journey.
-Elise