Real Estate Education 101: How To Choose A Realtor
When Los Angeles locals are buying their first home, it can be an exhilarating time—or it can be a nightmare. It all comes down to making the smart choice—the real estate agent Los Angeles locals can trust.
Your realtor does more than carry a license and put signs up outside houses—they are a registered member of a national association. They gather valuable information to help you get the home you want. They offer insight into the real estate market. They keep their finger on the pulse to help you get your hands on that hot property first. Essentially—they do the leg-work to find you a home.
If you’re ready to take the exciting plunge into home ownership, here are 3 steps that will help you find a realtor you can count on.
#1. Know What You Want
I’ve worked with a lot of first home buyers, and I’ve seen time and time again how important a sense of trust is in the buyer/realtor relationship. When you’re considering making the biggest purchase of your life so far, that trust is paramount.
Your real estate agent’s work ethic—how they act on your behalf—influences the properties they get access to, the prices they can negotiate, and your buyer experience. Their office—and the resources they have access to—influences how streamlined the buying process is, and the broker support they can deliver.
#2. Do Your Research
I’m an advocate for shopping around in all things—especially something as important as a realtor.
Explore all the online resources available for your area. Talk to friends and family who have been through the real estate process. Consider agents who reach out to you—being out and about gives them grass-roots insight into your area. Reach out on social media to your wider social circle for suggestions.
Once you’ve got a list of potential realtors, lean into the process a little more:
- Read reviews.
- Check for complaints online—while not all complaints are a genuine cause for concern, it’s important that you avoid any nasty surprises.
- Visit their website.
- Look at the homes they’re selling.
#3. Ask Questions
I always recommend meeting potential realtors in person. Due to everything going on right now, that might not be possible. These questions will still help you get a feel for your realtor, and deliver some peace of mind about who you might partner up with.
- How long have you been working in real estate?
- What percentage of your clients are buyers?
- How many homes have you closed in [your preferred neighborhoods]?
- What marketing tools do you use?
- How do you keep in touch with your buyers?
- Do you offer vendor support (for example, a preferred inspector or a network of professionals in the industry)?
- Is there anything you think I should know about the home buying process, as a first timer?
Your real estate education relies on getting the right information at the right time—and your real estate agent should be able to do that for you. Choose a realtor you can count on, and your journey onto the property ladder will be off to a strong start.
Ready to choose a realtor? Talk to the real estate agents Los Angeles trusts, at Pacific Playa Realty.
