Buying a home is a huge undertaking and having a real estate agent on your side to guide you through the process is crucial. However, it can be hard to know who the best real estate agent for you might be. Below we offer some tips to help you find an agent you can trust so that you can feel secure throughout your journey to home ownership.
Make Sure Your Agent is Licensed
A professional real estate agent must be licensed in the state they work in and their license is a requirement when working for a real estate firm. If the agent you found is working independently, don’t be afraid to ask to see their license. Additionally, many agents choose to become REALTORS® through the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) which is a membership organization that requires its agents to follow a strict code of ethics. You can visit the NAR website to see if the agent you want to work with is registered.
Talk to Their Clients
Real estate agents generate work by word-of-mouth from other clients they have worked with in the past. Talk to your friends to see if they have an agent they really liked working with or go to websites like Google or Yelp to check out agents’ reviews. Agents will also likely have a list of clients you can talk to who will endorse them.
What to Look for
Transparency is the most important thing you can get from a real estate agent. They should be able to clearly communicate to you exactly how they take commissions and what to expect throughout the process. They should be asking you things like:
- What is your budget?
- What area are you hoping to buy in?
- What are your needs and wants for a home?
An agent should also encourage you to talk to a lender as soon as possible to ensure you can afford as much home as you think you can. Most importantly, you should always feel like they are being open and honest with you every step of the way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions—buying a home is likely going to be the largest purchase you ever make in your life so it’s vital that you understand exactly what’s happening and what to expect.
At the end of the day, finding a real estate agent you can trust is all about doing your research and going with your gut instinct. If you’re ready to reach out to an agent, visit our Find a Real Estate Agent page to find an Agency-preferred real estate agent who has completed training on our mortgage products within the past three years.
