By Katie Bain
2015 is shaping up to be another fantastic year for buyers with historically low mortgage interest rates. If you’re thinking about buying a home, the key to success with finding the home you will love is choosing the right Portland, Oregon Realtor. In today’s post, I will provide you with 5 tips for choosing the right Real Estate Agent.
Tip 1 – Search for a Realtor
It is important to find a real estate agent that you fully trust. The best place to start is by asking trusted friends and family if they have a real estate agent that they had a great experience with and can recommend to you. You can also ask neighbors, co-workers and business associates for recommendations. If you do not have any recommendations, you can also search online and read reviews or visit open houses and talk with the agents holding the open houses to see if they seem knowledgeable and able to meet your needs.
Tip 2 – Talk with Their Recent Clients
When choosing an agent, it’s important to learn about the Realtor’s recent clients’ overall experience. Ask for a list of past clients you may contact to get first hand feedback about the real estate agent and their services. Many agents will post their experience online or have feedback posted about their services. This will also give you a good perspective on what they can really do for you.
Tip 3 – Verify Their Licensing Online
Once you’ve chosen an agent you feel comfortable with you should verify their license online via http://www.oregon.gov/REA/Pages/licensedata.aspx.
Tip 4 – Interview the Agent Personally
Before saying yes to choosing a real estate agent, make sure you feel comfortable with them personally. Schedule a meeting with them and ask them questions about their experience, recent transaction history, area of expertise, if they work as an individual or part of a team, and/or any other questions that may be important to your personal buying experience.
Although it’s easy to assume a highly recommended agent is the one you should hire, actually meeting with the agent in person and interviewing them is important. Each buyer’s needs are unique and not every agent, regardless of experience and expertise, will be right for every buyer. Buying a home is one of the most important transactions you will ever make, and you want to have confidence that your agent will represent your best interest.
Tip 5 – Confirm Their Plan to Help You Find a Home
Last of all, confirm that your real estate agent has a plan for helping you find a home. Work with the agent to identify your search criteria (i.e. budget, bedrooms, bathroom, location) so that the agent can show you homes that match your preferences. Make sure that their availability is compatible with your schedule and your timeframe for buying a home.
To speak with the team of experienced Portland Oregon Realtors at Equity Point Real Estate contact us today by clicking here to contact us through our website or calling us at (503) 595-8800.