Interviewing a real estate agent before hiring them is like interviewing a candidate for a job position. You want to make sure the person you’re hiring will get the job done quickly and efficiently, while being effective and someone you can work well with. While qualifications are important, finding a good real estate agent often requires more than just looking at their resume, sometimes you’ll have to dig a little deeper into their backgrounds.
It’s a good idea to ask your real estate agent why they decided to become one. Chances are if they entered the field because it’s what they enjoy doing, they will do a better job than someone who was forced into it for whatever reason.
Ask them what they can do for you if you hire them, and also what they can do better than other real estate agents. Each real estate professional is different and has his or her own way of doing things, as well as his or her own unique strengths. Some real estate agents are very tech-savvy and make use of all the latest technology in their work, while others prefer a more traditional approach. Find out what their working style is and decide if it works well with your own. Keep in mind that you will be working very closely with your agent, and you want to make sure you can avoid getting into disagreements due to incompatible working styles.
Find out what specific methods your real estate agent will use to either help you sell your home or buy a new one. This will help you envision what is in store for you during the process, and this way you can prepare yourself to be as cooperative and helpful as possible.
Be sure to ask them what other professionals they can refer you to, and what their credentials are. It will save a lot of time and effort on your part if your real estate agent can recommend other professionals such as lenders and home inspectors for you to work with.
Lastly, ask them for a list of references and/or testimonials from past clients. Then try and contact those people yourself to ask them about their experience while working with your real estate agent. If they were happy with the results your agent delivered to them, then they should be more than happy to give you a recommendation. In the same way if they were dissatisfied, they would also be more than happy to give you negative feedback.
If you are planning to buy or sell a home, let The Incorvaia Team make the process as easy as possible for you. Call us at 440-879-7130 today!
