How to choose a really good real estate agent: Updated

Several years ago, we posted How To Choose A Really Good Real Estate Agent, which detailed the importance of asking about referrals from relatives and friends, reading online reviews, and interviewing your top three choices of real estate agents. Here are a few more suggestions to find the perfect match.

Get Preapproved For A Loan: This demonstrates that you are a serious homebuyer, an in-demand potential client, who will have to turn down eager real estate agents, wanting to help you purchase a home. That’s a nice problem to have.

Research A Potential Real Estate Agent’s Credentials: Choose an agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors. All members must abide by a Code of Ethics.

Choose a Buyer’s Agent: A buyer’s agent specializes in researching the types of homes in your desired neighborhoods and within your price range, submits an offer on your behalf, and negotiates with the seller on an agreed price of your new home. A listing agent works on behalf of sellers, and some agents work for buyers and sellers.

Create Your Dream Home “Wish List”: Looking for a new home will go a lot quicker if you can provide a listing of what you are looking for: particular neighborhoods, school districts, type of home: condo, townhouse, single-family home, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, turnkey or a fixer-upper, attached garage, HOA fee included, distance from work, etc… Be realistic and don’t get discouraged if your agent doesn’t find everything on your wish list. Sometimes it’s not possible to find everything you want in a particular price range.

Trust Your Instincts: A real estate agent may look good on paper, but when meeting in person, if you don’t have a good feeling about working together, don’t sign the contract, and don’t worry, your real estate agent is out there, waiting to help you find the right home for you.