If you are thinking of buying or selling San Antonio real estate, it is important to ensure that you find a good agent. A good agent can make all the ...
If you are thinking of buying or selling San Antonio real estate,
it is important to ensure that you find a good agent. A good agent can make all the difference in the sale. If you are selling, you will want an agent who will help you get the best possible price for your home. If you are buying, you will want an agent who can get you the best deal. There are many different skills a real estate agent must have to help you achieve these goals, so asking questions before you sign with an agent is imperative.
Think of it as an interview. You are essentially hiring an agent to do a job, just like any a hiring manager at a company, except that it is a short-term job instead of long-term employment. Before you hire a person, therefore, you need to ensure that he or she is qualified to do the job. Here are three important questions you will want to ask when talking to a San Antonio real estate agent for the first time.
What areas or neighborhoods do you specialize in?
A good real estate agent is one who knows the area in which you are selling, backwards and forwards. This kind of familiarity is necessary in order to track and anticipate pricing trends, for example, ensuring that you sell your house for an appropriate price, or get a good deal on a home you are buying. You wouldn't want a California real estate agent to help you buy or sell a home in Texas, would you? Of course not. Different cities and even different neighborhoods can vary from one another just as much, depending on factors such as age, square footage, amenities, and location, making it good sense to get a real estate agent who has lots of local experience.
Will you negotiate your fees?
If you are selling your home, you are responsible for paying your selling agent out of what you get for the house. Therefore, asking about your agent's fees is useful -- but not in the way that you might think. An agent who agrees too quickly to lower his or her fees is probably not going to negotiate a very favorable selling price for you when the time comes. Do you want an agent who buckles under pressure that easily? And the better price your selling agent gets for you, the more money you have with which to pay him or her. Think of how you would want your agent to respond to an offer, and look for that kind of response to this question: Not only do you want an agent who won't give in too easily, you also want one who will take the initiative and convince you as to why their fee is worth it.
Do you have a website?
The real estate market is largely dependent on the Internet these days. The vast majority of buyers start their search for a home online, so it is important for any seller's agent to have a strong online presence. A state-of-the-art website that is readily searchable is a must, as well as good photography skills (or a good photographer) and the use of features such as virtual tours. A solid online presence is also good in a buying agent, as it means they have the technological understanding needed to navigate today's market with ease.
Your San Antonio real estate agent can make or break your home sale (or purchase). As much money as is at stake here, don't make the decision of which agent to use without first being well informed on what each agent can offer you!
