The decision of buying a house can be an exhilarating one. There goes a lot of decision-making and thoughtful considerations before choosing the home of their dreams. But the first step in this house hunting process involves hiring a buyer’s agent!
The job of buyers agents involves representing the buyer in a house sale and working out the most profitable deal to honor the buyer’s interest.
But before you invest in a buyer’s agent, it’s essential to determine some critical factors.
What to Look for in Your Buyer’s Agent?
There is a sea of buyers agents out there in the market. But to handpick one out of so many is a tedious task. Of course, the essential requirement is to hire a buyer’s agent who would bring you the best house deals of all times, as per your need.
But there are so many more points to contemplate before making the final decision!
1. Trust your Gut
First and foremost, be sure to interview a handful of agents. Everyone is different, which makes their working methods and communication styles distinct. You have to pick someone whom you can genuinely talk to.
If your personalities can mesh with each other, your relationship will likely bear fruits too. So, listen to your gut.
2. Have a Clear Set of Goals
Before you can relay your needs and requirements to the agent, chalk out a goal plan for yourself. List down the factors that are important to you.
Do you need a house in an area that’s close to a particular school district? Do you want to move into the house immediately, or can you wait? What areas are under your budget?
These are essential questions to ask yourself. And, it’s even more significant than your choice of agent understands your crucial needs.
3. Ask for Experience
Picking an agent with specific years of expertise under their belt is essential. Sure, it’s not the sole factor that should sway your decision either way. But, it’s significant.
Ask the agent about their experience. Ask them if they are mainly a buyer’s agent or if they work as the seller’s agent. Ask them about the specific neighborhood that you’re looking to target. Inquire about how long have they been working in the industry.
These are essential questions that you must factor in your decision.
4. Learn About their Communication Style
Another relevant factor is whether or not the agent’s communication style matches yours. So, ask.
How often would you both like to connect? Which specific medium of connection is preferable to both of you? When is the right time to reach out to each other?
These are significant questions that will help you understand whether a particular agent’s communication style works for you or not. It will also help you both respect each other’s schedules and boundaries.
5. Understand the Contract
It shouldn’t scare you if your agent brings out the big guns. Signing a contract is standard practice. So, before signing the dotted lines, make sure that there is clarity for both parties involved.
Ask them what the contract states. Be sure about the time length for which the two of you would be contractually bound. More importantly, make sure there is a clause to terminate the contract if things don’t work out.
Hiring a buyer’s agent can seem overwhelming. Perhaps this is why most people in Australia hire a real estate agent to list their properties, but not when buying a house.
But this process can be pretty straightforward and result in great satisfaction if done right!
What truly matters is how well you and your agent hit it off from the beginning. If you believe that an agent has ample time for you, understands your interests, prioritizes your benefit, and is trustworthy – pick them!
Author: Siddhi Chothani
