How to Find a Real Estate Agent
There are a few things you can do to know if a real estate agent is right for you. Whether you're the buyer or the seller, read on.
Call recent clients.
Ask your prospective agents for a list of properties they've listed and sold within the last year, and contact information. When you call past clients, inquire about the asking price and the sales price. If you're the seller, know if there are similarities between these properties and yours in such features as location, price, etc.
You'd like an agent of Homes for Sale in Cabo San Lucas who is a specialist in the type of property that you wish to sell. You'd also like to ask sellers for how long the property was on the market before it was finally sold.
Check licensing.
States have boards that issue licenses to real estate agents and impose disciplinary action when necessary. Make sure you check if the agent you're considering does have a license and if there have been any disciplinary action or complaints to his name.
Look for credentials.
Of course, you should pick an agent with the right credentials. As lawyers and doctors, real estate agents have specializations too. Even a generalist would have extra training in specific areas. The following are some of the designations, along with their meanings:
- Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) - received additional training handling residential properties
- Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) - received additional education in representing buyers' interest
- Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) - obtained special training in representing buyers aged 50+
An agent who says he's a Realtor with the capital "R" is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Hiring a Realtor, you have an agent who has formally pledged to follow the code of ethics.
Find out about the agent's professional background.
By checking with the licensing authority in your state, you can determine how long an agent has been in business. Or just ask the agent from loscabosrealestate.pro. If that's less than five years, that usually indicates they're learning on you, and that's not a very good thing. You want someone you can learn from.
Check their present listings.
It should be easy to check out an agent's listings online. Most buyers begin their search on the Internet, and you want an agent who is good with that tool. Also see how similar the agents' listings are to the property you want to buy or sell. Do they fall within the same price range? Are they located in the same area? See this definition page at http://www.britannica.com/topic/real-estate-agent.
Inquire about houses for sale within your area.
Lastly, keep in mind that a good agent will know what other properties in the area are for sale. Casually mention a house in your area which is for sale. If the agent recognizes the property you mentioned and even offers some details about it, that means he does know the area.
