5 useful tips for dealing with real estate agents

Buying and selling real estate isn’t a walk in the park. There are countless technicalities and legalities involved, so a licensed, experienced real estate agent can manage this huge endeavor. 

If the thought of dealing with real estate agents makes you break out in cold sweat, sit down and take a deep breath. We have compiled some real estate agent tips to ensure you start off on the right foot.

But before I dive into that, let’s brush up on the basics.

Why Do I Need to Hire a Real Estate Agent?

Let’s be honest. You’re not superman – you can’t do everything by yourself. Buying and selling property comes with a boatload of responsibilities and legal documentation. So, it’s better to have a qualified professional by your side.

A good real estate agent can guide you through the journey and make the entire process easier. And since they are experts at marketing and selling property, they know exactly how to get the job done. Plus, they have the time and resources to manage the job from start to finish.

But what tops everything is the fact that real estate agents are excellent negotiators. You hired them, so they’re on your side. That means they’ll make sure you get the best deal. 

Okay, now that you realize how important it is to partner with a real estate agent, let’s get down to business – how to deal with real estate agents when buying or selling property.

Tips for Dealing with Real Estate Agents

Buying and selling property involves thousands of dollars. So you want someone who has your best interests in mind. However, your relationship with a real estate agent depends on how you interact with them. Here are a few ideas to help you get off to a good start.

1. Do Market Research

Yes, we know that you have hired a real estate agent to do all the work. However, it’s your property, so you should do your homework. Before approaching any agent, research the market to get an estimate of the cost of houses and understand real estate market trends in your desired location. 

In fact, this is the best real estate advice for buyers and sellers. Doing independent research means you can validate the information your real estate agent provides. And when it comes time to make a deal, you’ll have a good idea of how much to negotiate. 

2. Find the Right Real Estate Agent

Considering how competitive the real estate industry is, hiring the right agent matters. You want to hire a licensed realtor who is familiar with the neighborhood you are interested in. More importantly, they should have sufficient experience in the real estate market. 

Remember, the realtor you hire depends upon whether you’re buying or selling a property.

For instance, if you’re buying a house, an expert buying real estate agent not only recommends the best house for your budget in the local market but also highlights minor alterations, you can make to the property and increase its value.

Conversely, an experienced seller’s real agent can help you sell your property at the best price. Plus, they know how to market your property on different platforms and get the attention it deserves.

But no matter who you hire, the following qualities ensure you’ve found a keeper:

• Familiar with the local area 
• Professional, experienced, and licensed
• Excellent reviews
• Reputation for closing deals successfully and quickly 

3. Meet the Realtor

If you’ve successfully sifted out a couple of good real estate agents, know you need to choose the best one. An easy way to do that is to meet the potential candidates in person. Use this opportunity to ask questions you may have.

Hire a realtor who: 

• is friendly and approachable. 
• listens to your needs 
• has a plan of action. 

But I’ll let you in on a secret. Instead of searching for only real estate agents for buyers or sellers, pick someone who specializes in both – buying and selling property. Since they are familiar with both sides of the equation, they can offer the best real estate tips for sellers and buyers.

4. Discuss the Details

Once you find a real estate agent you’re comfortable with, communicate your preferences clearly. This will enable them to bring the right person to your doorstep quickly, saving time and money.

So what should you discuss?

• The type of property you prefer
• The area in which you are interested
• The degree of flexibility 
• Your timeframe
• The down payment amount

While it’s important to have transparent communications when dealing with real estate agents, don’t disclose everything. For instance, if you plan to buy a house, do not quote the exact amount you want to spend. Give the agent an approximate range of what you can afford. After all, they get paid a commission, usually a percentage of the selling price.

Similarly, dealing with real estate agents when selling also requires finesse. Don’t tell them why you want to sell. If this information slips out and other agents hear about it, they may take undue advantage of the situation and decrease the final price of your home because now they know you’re desperate to sell.

4. Take Your Time

Beware of the persuasive pitch – one of the most common real estate agent tricks. This is when realtors create FOMO, causing homeowners to panic and make quick decisions. For instance, they may say that the price of a property in an area will increase within a few weeks. So they encourage you to buy quickly.

Staying relaxed and calm while dealing with real estate agents ensures a smooth, peaceful experience throughout. 

5. Deliberate the Terms 

Discuss the terms of payment for the services your real estate agent will provide before any work is done. This will prevent any unpleasantries at the end of the day. Don’t be shy to negotiate the price.

Furthermore, your realtor will be in charge of negotiating on your behalf. So make sure to discuss the terms of negotiation and mention your expectations. However, don’t let your emotions come in the way.

Experienced real estate agents have tried-and-tested negotiation strategies to deliver the best results – a buyer’s agent will buy a home at the lowest price for you, while a seller’s agent will aim to get more than the asking purchase from prospective buyers.

Over to You

Dealing with real estate agents ensures a hassle-free real estate journey. Their experience in the industry allows them to tackle the process head-on. But besides this, professional realtors are great at networking and have connections with reliable builders. The best bet is to purchase from such builders.  

Chapal is a well-known name in the real estate sector. They’ve been developing high-quality projects since 1968, so people know their money is in safe hands. Buyers are happy to purchase Chapal’s premium properties at affordable installments. And whenever they decide to sell, they know they’ll get a good return on their investment.

It’s time you found a good real estate agent too.