Have you thought about which Malibu realtor will help you with your upcoming real estate sale or purchase? The decision is one of the most important choices you’ll make as you prepare to test the market. Choosing the right realtor to work with will ensure you find your dream home at the best possible price. If you’re preparing to sell, your realtor’s marketing and negotiating skills will increase your chances of walking away with a higher profit. Use the steps in this article to narrow down your options and choose the most qualified and talented real estate agent to partner with.
1. Look at reviews from past clients
It’s easy to find reflections and testimonials from a realtor’s past clients using a quick online search. You’ll often find that realtors include several of these reviews on their websites. Typically, these are more positive reviews. If you want to see a broader range of reviews, you can look on third-party sites like Google. Don’t be immediately turned off if a realtor has a few negative reviews. This is common — if not expected –- for a realtor who has been working in the industry for several years. Negative reviews should only concern you if several express the same issue or if the negative reviews are not accompanied by a majority of positive reviews.
2. Contact an agent during business hours
Contacting an agent during business hours will give you a better idea of how committed your agent is to their real estate practice. It will also show how easily you can access your realtor throughout the process of selling or shopping for a home. Full-time agents are often more dedicated to helping their clients than an agent who is developing a real estate practice as a side hustle. There’s nothing wrong with working as a part-time real estate agent while trying to get into a competitive industry, but it can sometimes present unique challenges for you as the client. You can learn about your realtor’s level of activity in a few different ways. One idea is to contact them during regular business hours to see how quickly they respond. Most agents will get back to you within 24 hours unless there is an unexpected emergency. Many active agents will respond more quickly, especially if you are contacting them for the first time. If you don’t hear back for several hours, you may try to contact them again in another day or two. If it usually takes your agent several hours to respond, they may be tied up with other roles or responsibilities during the day. You can also research online to learn how many homes they have sold recently. Full-time agents usually have at least ten sales within the past year.
3. Check on their most recent sales
While you’re checking out your agent’s sales over the past year, you may also want to figure out how many homes they have sold in the past two to three months. This is important to know because it shows you how recently your real estate agent has worked with key industry professionals. Many people are involved in home sales. You’ll work with inspectors, appraisers, title companies, home insurance providers, and others leading up to closing day. If your realtor has been actively buying and selling homes in recent months, they likely have connections with industry professionals and can make recommendations for you based on your particular interests and experiences. You also want a realtor who is up to date on current market trends and happenings. The chances of your realtor having recent knowledge of the local market is greater if they have been working on multiple deals over the last several weeks and months.
4. Meet them in person
Most agents will agree to meet with you in person even if you haven’t confirmed that you’re going to be working with them. This is a great way to learn your agent’s personality and communication style. They will likely tell you about their experience and what drives them to work in the real estate industry. Take time to ask questions to gauge how they approach certain situations and handle different parts of the buying and selling process. It’s a good idea to follow up with them after the meeting to thank them for their time and ask any additional questions. See how long it takes them to respond and what sort of answer you get. Their communication will likely be similar to how they operate after you officially begin working together.
5. Ask for a listing agreement
Once you agree to a partnership with your realtor, they should provide you with a listing agreement that clearly outlines your responsibilities and theirs. This document will explain how long you will be working together and what either side must do if they want to void or terminate the agreement. Your agent can explain this document to you, or they can provide you with a copy to review on your own time. Some people choose to share the contract with an impartial attorney before signing. If you take this step, make sure you work with an attorney who specializes in real estate and understands the nuances that can come up in these contracts.
When you’ve decided to purchase or sell a home in Malibu, make sure to contact a Barry Roth realtor, as each real estate professional here checks the above boxes and is a preferred choice for many people who buy and sell Malibu real estate. Their knowledge of the area and the current state of the local market is unmatched. Barry Roth realtors are passionate about connecting with clients and ensuring each receives the best care throughout every stage of the process. Contact a Barry Roth realtor today.
