What Homebuyers Are Looking for in a Real Estate Agent During COVID-19

If you are looking to sell your home or perhaps purchase a new one during the coronavirus pandemic. Then hiring a real estate agent is the right course of action. While there are those who believe that they can find better homes or perhaps sell their own property and keep more money without one, a good real estate agent can sell your property faster and help you find a new home quicker than you can on your own.

However, all of this is predicated on finding a good real estate agent who knows the community. Also, has the knowledge, experience, and education needed to help you purchase or sell a home. Here are a few things you should look for when searching for a real estate agent.

Check the License

There are very few real estate agents who never had a license or no longer have a license that is still working in the field. However, it pays to be careful. So check with the regulatory body of your state to see which agents are properly licensed. Whether they have been subject to any complaints or disciplinary action. Check here to see if the real estate agent’s license is valid.

“Checking for a real estate agent’s license should be the first thing any potential home buyer should do. Having a real estate agent with the latest documentation is the best way to get what you and your family need as soon as possible,” says, Rene Y. Quint a real estate agent from Los Angeles, California.

Get Recommendations from Former Clients

Many people find real estate agents through family and friends who have used their services before. However, you should go a step beyond and find others who have used their services.

This means asking the agent for their listed homes and sales over the past year who carry contact information. For those who have purchased homes, ask what the listing price was and then how much it sold. For sellers, ask about properties similar to yours so that you can see if they have the right type of experience.

Credentials and Awards

Just as lawyers specialize in certain fields, so do real estate agents. You will need one that specializes in a field that buys or sells the type of property you own or are interested in purchasing. Some of the credentials include the following;

• Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR): Represents buyers in the transaction
• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS): Has additional training in residential real estate
• Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES): Works with those above the age of 50

In finding the right realtor, be sure to look carefully at their credentials. Also, if they have received any awards in the industry such as “Realtor of the Year” from a recognized source such as NAR for example, then they should be considered as well.

“Finding a real estate agent with credentials and awards is crucial, it means that the agent is doing his or her job,” says, Quint.

About Houses in Your Community

One simple way to find out how in-touch your real estate agent is in your community is by asking them about the other homes available near where you live. For example, if a house has recently sold in your neighborhood, they should be able to provide a few details if they are familiar with the sale.

Quite often, a sharp real estate agent will bring up properties that have sold near your home which lets you know just how in touch with the market they are currently, according to the Local Records Office. From all this information, you should be able to find a good real estate agent that works for you.