Agents with less experience can still be a good choice if they know you and the area well, especially if they demonstrate a great work ethic and strong customer service skills.
However, be cautious about choosing an agent ONLY because a friend or family member recommended them. Your real estate needs and what you desire in a Realtor may be different so make sure you understand what exactly your friends or family’s objectives were and what specifically they liked about their Realtor. Ask about any hesitations the person has recommending the agent as well. This way, you’ll get a sense if the agent has any major flaws that would be a deal breaker for you.
Also, ask how long the agent’s been working in your area. Even better, ask if they live near the area. An agent with extensive experience may not be the best choice if they are not familiar with your particular area.
Agents who work alone are more likely to walk you through each step themselves and more likely to reach out frequently by phone or even in person.
If you’re selling a home, ask where the home will be featured. The main places you’ll need to be is on the MLS and the big online sites (Realtor. com, Zillow, Trulia, etc. . . ). Other sites, including the agent’s personal website aren’t as important. Also, beware of an agent who wants to keep your house off the MLS for any reason. Unless you are selling a luxury home, the MLS is where most buyers, and their agents, are. “Pocket” listings or similar are generally suggested when an agent wants to market your house first to their own investor clients or to others in their brokerage, but limiting the exposure is almost never a good option for you as a seller.
If an agent does not answer during “regular business hours,” you may have an agent who is doing real estate on the side. Their “day job” may not allow them to give you the attention you deserve. Conversely, an agent who doesn’t answer evening or weekend calls, or worse yet, has a voicemail that states anything about “the next business day,” may not be available when you need them. [12] X Research source
When buying, you don’t usually have to worry about the commission because the seller generally pays both sides (buyer and seller) so focus instead on customer service and contract knowledge.
