How to Confidently Choose a Realtor to Work With

Are you considering upsizing, downsizing, or relocating to any of the fabulous neighborhoods in the Atlanta area? Are you wondering how you can choose the best realtor for your needs? Working with the right realtor is extremely important, as it can impact many aspects of your real estate journey, from the speed and quality of the home buying or selling process to making sure that you overcome any roadblocks. Find out how to confidently choose a realtor to work with in Atlanta!

 

One of the best ways to choose a great Atlanta realtor is by asking the people you know and trust. This means you should ask your family members, friends, and co-workers if they have worked with a standout realtor within the past few months or years. If they have had a positive experience with the realtor, then chances are good that you will also have a great experience. It is also not uncommon for people to find realtors through their network of family and friends. As many as 36% of sellers have found their real estate agent through family and friends. In addition, 89% of home buyers would recommend their real estate agent to other people. With these numbers, the odds are good that you can find an excellent Atlanta realtor through your family, friends, and co-workers' network.

 

Another way to find an agent is by going to a place they commonly frequent – the open house. Though the primary motivation behind open houses is to sell the home, you can still use them to your advantage.

 

For example, if there is an Atlanta neighborhood that you are interested in moving to – such as Morningside real estate or Summerhill – then you might want to see if there are any open houses scheduled in those areas. You can then clear out your schedule so that you can attend one, or even a few, of these open houses. By attending, you can learn many things. First, you can walk through these Atlanta luxury homes and get a layout of the floor plan and on-site amenities. You would also be able to walk through the neighborhood to see if it would be the right one for you. Finally, you can talk to the seller’s agent, who is hosting the open house. You can ask important questions, such as why the seller is moving, the length of the overall real estate process, whether they are taking on new clients, and the quality of the neighborhood. By visiting open houses, you can find out whether you can see yourself living in the area and whether you might want to work with the realtor.

Once you have found a few potential realtors through referrals from your family and friends or open houses, you now have to do your due diligence in checking out their online presence.

 

Considering that as many as 69% of realtors use a website to showcase their business, there is an excellent chance that your potential realtor will have one, too. When visiting their website, you can evaluate many details, from their scope of localized knowledge to their reputation amongst clients. For example, see if they have published neighborhood guides or blogs which can point to their local neighborhood expertise.

 

Furthermore, many realtors publish testimonials on their websites. You can read these testimonials to see what other clients have said about their experience working with the realtor. In addition to testimonials, you can find out if the realtor has been recognized in the industry and whether they have received additional certification in marketing, staging, or negotiating. Finally, 81% of realtors have their listings on their website, so you can browse these Atlanta luxury homes for sale to see if they match your lifestyle and needs.

 

After exploring agents’ websites, you can also see if they have any social media profiles and whether they are active online. For example, 57% of realtors are known to use any number of social media apps regularly. By checking out their social media profiles, you can gauge their level of prowess in using these forms of technology. Since there is an excellent chance that you will most likely need to incorporate social media marketing into your home-selling process, you need a realtor that has experience using these techniques effectively. As for buyers, a realtor who knows their way around social media can be a great asset, as they can use the platforms to find homes or to connect with potential sellers.

Once you have chosen a few potential Atlanta real estate agents, it is time to meet them. Consider meeting them in person rather than via text or video. When meeting with them, you should ask a few pertinent questions to gauge their expertise in the real estate market, the buying and selling process, and their track record.

 

It’s important that you interview more than one real estate agent, as they all have different methods and ideas on how to market, negotiate, and stage Atlanta homes. Furthermore, every realtor has their specializations, which can include home listings. By interviewing multiple real estate agents, you can better compare them to see which one would be the best fit for you.

 

Ultimately, you want to find a realtor who sincerely wants to help you find or sell a home as much as you do while always putting your best interests first. By interviewing multiple real estate agents, you will know how to confidently choose a realtor to work with!

Don’t forget to ask for references. Even if you found the realtor through a referral from a trusted family or friend, there is no harm in crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s. Even if your family member or friend has had a stellar, one-of-a-kind experience with the realtor, it can still help to verify with a third party. A real estate agent can provide two or three references to people they have worked with, such as mortgage lenders, real estate attorneys, and other clients. By calling these individuals, you can ensure that their experiences align with what you have seen or heard from your network. Check references to confidently choose the perfect Atlanta realtor for your needs!

 

Want to learn more about how to confidently choose a realtor to work with? Are you interested in selling or buying a home in Atlanta? Schedule a consultation with the experienced group of realtors at Intown Collective, who can help you with everything from marketing and staging to making an offer and negotiating. Intown Collective is ready to help you achieve all your real estate dreams!

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