Whether you are buying a house or selling it; a real estate agent is your best friend. If you get associated with a real estate agent from an authentic real estate agency; you are assured of a smooth process and a winning position. However, all this depends on you selecting the right real estate agency. Usually, people make the mistake of selecting one merely on the commission and fees basis but there are plenty of other crucial factors to consider as well. Check them out:

Seek referrals

Nothing beats the mouth of word advertisement. Your friends and families must have used a real estate at some point in their life. Seeking referrals give you a concrete experience of a good job done by them. Ensure to check them online for their customer reviews and testimonials. Check out various forum and discussion platforms. You would inevitably find names of credible real estate agencies from there.

Decide on the type of agent required

It is always advisable to go for a specialist real estate agent. Few are specialists in buying, few in selling, etc. Again, some expertise in luxurious condos while few can give you the best in budget houses. Seeking the help of an expert in your required niche gives you an extra edge in the entire experience.

Investigate the agent

Whether you are seeking an agent from a real estate agency or an independent one; you need to verify that they are well qualified and have a proper working license. You also need to know how long he has been working and what is his success rate. It also pays to look into the prospective agent’s listing. It will give you the vital insight into whether it mirrors the type of property you are interested in or not. A healthy list would indicate that he is in demand which is a positive sign. But the list should not be so long that he would not be available for you at short notice. You can easily find the listing at the agent’s website.

Interview the agent

It is crucial that you always hold an interview meeting with the agent before you commit yourself. In the meeting, it is important to ask plenty of questions not only to reassure yourself but also to set all expectations and requirements clear. You need to ask intelligent questions to gauge his market knowledge and his skill to close deals like yours. Let him map out a plan to deal with your unique situations. You must be absolutely comfortable with his plans and feel it the best way. Any doubts should be clarified and all expectations set clear.

Comfort level

All knowledge and comfort level of the agent is in vain if he is unable to make you feel comfortable. The compatibility with the agent is a key requirement for a long relationship. Since many of the real estate jargons would be completely confusing to you; he must have the communication skills and patience to explain it to you even twice or thrice if required. He should be open to answering all your queries to your satisfaction. There should be enough comfort level between the two to get the teamwork going successfully.

Look into the fees

There is a great variation in the fee charged by the real estate agents. Few have a flat fee while others charge on a commission basis the amount of deal that has transacted. Be upfront and ask of all other fees and expenses involved. There can be a number of hidden costs and fees that can take your budget for a spin. If possible, try to get everything in writing to avoid any future hassles. Compare all parameters between agents before making your final decision.

Ensure that they mitigate risk

You need to be beware if all fluffs and flattering agents. They should be ethical and honest enough to let you know in clear terms about the risks of buying or selling. You should pay special attention to all those real data that they present to you during the interview like the investment analysis, market performance at the neighborhood level, long term impact of your buy or sell decision, etc.

A lot is at stake when you are buying or selling a property. Despite the time and effort that it takes; you must select the right agent so that it pays rich dividends ultimately.