How To Find A Realtor When You're Buying a Home
Questions to ask when interviewing Realtors to help you buy a home. (Will you be my buyer's agent?)
How long have you been in business? Is this your career or a part-time job?
You should always ask this question, even if it’s just in order to get to know your agent a little better. If your agent is new to the industry, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it will mean you might need to pay more attention to what’s going on.
If your agent is a seasoned pro, that might bring you peace of mind and free up your time to think about other things like what kind of home improvement projects you’re willing to take on with a new home, what kind of landscaping your want and planning your moving schedule.
On average, how many buyers do you actively work with?
There’s not a wrong answer to this, but knowing how many other buyers your agent is juggling will give a realistic understanding of the time they can set aside for you. On average, I work with two or three buyers at a time. A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client. With my background in advertising, I am able to successfully work with several buyers at a time due to my organization and efficiency.
Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Before you lock in a buyer’s agent, ask this question! It’s an important one to keep in mind when figuring out how to find a realtor when you’re buying a home. Some agents require you to be pre-qualified or pre-approved for a loan before they’ll take you on. I know I do.
After several years of working as a realtor, I’ve learned how important it is for buyers to be pre-approved for financing. It’s so important, I won’t even show a buyer any homes until they have done their due-diligence and been to a lender for their pre-qualification letter.
It’s not that I don’t want to help them find their next dream home, it’s just that in this market, you must be ready to write a contract the minute you find THE ONE. When competing with other buyers, the reputation of your chosen lender and type of loan you will be using can make all the difference in your offer.
How much do you charge?
This is one of those questions buyers don’t often think to ask. Some agents charge a buyer fee, and you might not even know it until you’re ready to close. If you have an agent that charges this, have them explain what it covers and decide if it’s a good fit for you. I personally do not charge a buyer base fee.
Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
I get questions like this a lot! I have buyers who need recommendations for home improvement projects from chimney inspections and new roof installations to garage door repairs and electricians. Your realtor should have access to tons of local pros, so don’t hesitate to ask for a referral. You’re not wasting their time! I work with some of the best sub contractors and professionals in the area, and am always happy to be a resource for buyers.
Can you provide references?
Just like when you’re selling your home and should ask your agent for references from previous sellers they’ve worked with, you should ask your buyer’s agent for references. Don’t leave finding your dream home up to chance. Shop around and find the right agent for you.
