Are you planning to buy or sell a home? If so, choosing a REALTOR® is one of the biggest decisions you will make in this process. The REALTOR® you work with could make a difference in how fast your home sells and for how much. It could be the difference between finding a home you love and a home you settle for.
How do you know if a REALTOR® is right for you? Here are 5 red flags to avoid when choosing a REALTOR®
- Overpromising on the listing price. REALTORS® sometimes try to entice sellers to work with them by promising to get them a higher price for their property. If the price seems too good to be true or it is significantly higher than other quotes you’ve received or what comparable homes in your area or neighborhood have sold for, you might be getting some false advertising. On the buyer’s side, watch out for a REALTOR® who promises to find you the perfect home for a lower than reasonable price.Instead, find a REALTOR® who seems to be giving you realistic information. Do your research ahead of time so you’ll have an idea of what to expect from the current market.
- Lack of communication. Buying or selling a home requires a lot of correspondence between you and your REALTOR®. If your REALTOR® is difficult to reach or too much time goes by without any communication, this is a red flag.Instead, look for a REALTOR® who keeps in touch with you on a regular basis. Discuss with them what type of communication is best for you, whether its phone calls, texts, emails, or real estate apps that schedule and alert you about showings. Make sure they are willing to communicate in the way that works best for you.
- Insufficient knowledge of the area. Does your REALTOR® usually sell and show homes in the area where you live or want to live? This is a key element of success. If the REALTOR® is not familiar with the neighborhood, they will have a much harder time finding you the home you want or getting the right potential buyers interested in yours.Find a REALTOR® who is familiar with the housing developments in your area, who knows street names and the local schools. This is absolutely essential when it comes to finding a home in your desired location.
- Experience is not within your price range or type of home. Ask the REALTOR® what price range and type of home they usually sell. If their experience is way above or way below the home you are selling or are looking for, they may not be a good fit for you.Find someone for whom your price range and type of home is their bread and butter. They will know how to stage and price your home to sell. They will know how to find homes that meet your search criteria and may be aware of homes in your price range that are about to go on the market before they do so you can have the first crack at them.
- Real estate is their side gig. Be wary of a REALTOR® who does real estate on the side or as a hobby. Such a REALTOR® may be out of touch with the current market and may not have the same level of commitment that a full time REALTOR® would have.Find a REALTOR® who is busy with a steady flow of work. If you are selling, work with a seller’s agent who specializes in that side of the market. If you are buying, work with a buyer’s agent who only helps buyers find homes and is committed to the buyer, not the seller.
Looking for the Right REALTOR®? Choose The Pamela Walters Group
Are you in search of a Tyler REALTOR®? The Pamela Walters Group knows Tyler, Texas and the surrounding area. Our team includes a wide range of REALTOR®’s with varying types of expertise, so we’re sure to have the right agent for you. We can help you find a home in your desired area or sell your current home.
Having trouble choosing a REALTOR®? Call (903) 962-0075 or contact us to schedule a consultation. We will answer all of your questions and match you with the REALTOR® that would be best for you and your situation.