Picking the right real estate agent can be very difficult. It’s the same predicament even though you are buying, selling, or leasing a property. The industry is filled with people who claim to know what they’re doing, but who are really just guessing. That’s why you should consider the tips below before making your final decision.
Real estate agents are salespeople, and salespeople aren’t known for giving terrible advice. If an agent says that you should buy now because prices are rising, then that could just be his way of saying that he wants you to hire him so he can make money off of you.
If an agent tells you not to sell your home because it’s not worth it, then he might just be trying to protect his paycheck, rather than advising you on how’s best for your situation.
7 Essential Tips To Picking The Right Real Estate Agent In Nigeria That You Can Trust
The real estate agent you choose to represent you in the sale of your property is one of the most important decisions you will make during the entire process. You will probably have no direct contact with anyone else involved in the project, so choosing the right person to handle your affairs is essential.
The greatest challenge in picking a real estate agent is that any external authority does not regulate them, so anyone can hang out a shingle and call themselves a real estate agent. As a result, there is no official registration or licensing process to ensure that agents are properly qualified or that they meet any kind of minimum standards.
This means that choosing an excellent agent is not just about finding someone who seems nice and helpful, but about getting advice on how they work, what their track record is, and what kind of service you can expect from them. The following tips should help you find someone who will help you through the entire process of picking the right real estate agent in Nigeria.
1. Leverage Technology
Whether you are buying or selling a home or land, using the internet is an effective way to locate the best real estate agent for your needs. You can use many websites to locate real estate agents just like property king.
The problem with the internet is that there are so many real estate agents available online you don’t know who to trust.
There are several online sites that will allow you to check the reputation of any real estate agent, which is helpful. You can also check out links on social media for any real estate agent, which will give you insight into their previous client’s experiences with them.
2. Does The Agent Have An Experience?
The second thing that you should look at is the amount of experience that a potential agent has in both selling and buying property in your area. If the agent doesn’t have any experience in your location, then he or she may not help you as much as someone who does.
It’s also important to look at the track record of any real estate agent that you’re thinking about hiring. You can do this by talking to friends or family members who have bought or sold homes recently, as well as checking online reviews of real estate agents in your area.
It’s important that you don’t hire an agent who has a reputation for overpricing homes or selling them too slowly, as this will obviously cost you money in the long run.
Many people don’t do a lot of research when looking for a realtor. They may look for one in their area and choose the first one that they feel comfortable with, or if they want to work with someone from out of town they may just ask a friend who they know has been happy with their realtor.
3. Is The Agent Licensed?
The third thing that you should look for is whether the potential agent has a license to sell real estate in your state. Having this license will prove that he or she knows all the laws and regulations involved in buying and selling property and can help you through breaking no rules and getting into trouble with your transaction.
It also would save you the worry of getting scammed with a lot of property scam news in the country every day, with the right agent who knows his/her craft, you wouldn’t worry about anything.
4. Interview Five Agents
Real estate is a very competitive business, and hence it is important that you interview at least three to five agents before you select one. The first step in the process is to ask your friends or neighbors for recommendations.
When choosing an agent, look for sincerity and enthusiasm. Of course, your first question should be: “How long have you been in business?”
But let’s say two of your top choices are A and B. Agent A has been in business for 20 years and has a big stable of clients. Agent B is relatively new and doesn’t have a lot of clients yet, but both clients she’s taken on recently rave about her. Who do you want?
You want Agent B–the one who is enthusiastic about what she does and excited to work with you, of course! Lucky for you, there are tons of agents who can be interviewed right from our website when you check real estate agents or real estate agencies here.
5. Have A Price Expectation or Budget
When you begin the house hunting or selling process, it is crucial to have a price expectation or budget. Otherwise, this can lead you to make a rushed decision on a home purchase. Having a budget will keep you from having to decide right away.
You may find yourself forgetting why you set out looking for a home in the first place. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding the perfect home and purchasing it as quickly as possible.
You need to have a price expectation or budget before you start looking at homes so that your expectations are realistic from the beginning of your search.
Additionally, this gives you time to discuss your price, expectation, or budget with your real estate agent. By communicating this early on, your agent will be better able to find homes that match your requirements and stay within your price range.
6. Get A Legal Agreement
As a real estate investor, you have a lot to worry about. Whether you are an experienced veteran or a newbie, you have so many things to think about – from buying the right property to getting the best price – that you have no time for distractions like dealing with an unethical agent.
The best way to avoid such unpleasantness is to enter into a legal agreement. This will protect all parties involved and will give you peace of mind and security in the knowledge that your interests are protected.
A legal agreement can be as basic as a simple letter of understanding or as detailed as a formal contract. It depends on how much money and time and effort you want to invest in this relationship.
7. Evaluate Agents Listening Ears
A good real estate agent must have a good listening ear to hear what you want and need. A client comes to a real estate agent to find a property that will fulfill the client’s dreams. A client, or you as a client, comes to an agent with a particular dream for your future.
In order for the real estate agent to help you find the right property, the agent must first listen carefully to what you want and need on a property. The agent must listen closely for clues about what you are looking for and allow those clues to guide the search process.
If an agent doesn’t listen closely, then you may end up wasting time going from property to property that does not meet your needs and desires. If an agent does not listen carefully, then you may end up buying a property that contradicts what you want and need for your future.
