How to Confidently Choose a Real Estate Agent to Work With

Hiring an effective real estate agent is essential in a successful sale or purchase of Allen or Frisco homes. There are many realtors and brokerage companies to choose from, so it’s important to know how to choose the right one for your needs. When narrowing down your search for a realtor, you will want to consider the agent’s experience, knowledge, and abilities and the area in which they have expertise. Here are a few important pointers to keep in mind when choosing a real estate agent to purchase or sell your home.

Real estate agents are licensed by the state in which they operate. In Texas, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) handles real estate licensing. The TREC website has information about the licensing process and other information about working with a realtor in Texas. Even if a realtor has years of experience in one state, these qualifications do not carry over to other states without licensing. You will need a licensed real estate agent to work in the state in which you are searching. Even if you have a go-to realtor in your home state, you will probably have to find a new realtor when moving to a new state. While it is important to find a properly licensed realtor in the state where you want to purchase or sell property, there are further criteria to consider when narrowing down your search.

While there will be many real estate agents who are licensed to work in your state, you will want to narrow it down further based on your specific location. Real estate markets vary widely between different areas. Therefore, it is best to choose a real estate agent who is experienced in your local area. Generally, real estate agents will specialize in a metropolitan area or a city with surrounding suburbs. For instance, a realtor based in Dallas, Texas, would probably also deal with Frisco homes and Allen homes since these are both popular suburbs of Dallas. On the other hand, an Austin realtor, who is likewise licensed to work in Texas, would probably not know much about Frisco homes or Allen homes. It is advantageous to have the help of a realtor who understands the ins and outs of the specific area in which you are looking.

As with any other pursuit, you will want an experienced guide when you are buying or selling real estate. Realtors who are new to the market may charge lower rates in some cases, but this reflects that they have less knowledge and experience to bear in your home sale. Therefore, it is probably best to choose a realtor who is experienced in your area. Keep in mind that working in the real estate market is not just about having access to many listings or buyers. There is additional nuance and skill that goes into the profession. When meeting with a realtor for the first time, it is perfectly appropriate for you to ask about previous experience. Feel free to prepare a list of questions to ask the realtor before becoming a client.

Most realtors or firms who sell Frisco homes have a website, and often this will be your first exposure. Realtors should have functional, neat, and up-to-date websites that convey a sense of professionalism. See if the real estate agent you are looking into has experience selling homes comparable to what you are attempting to buy or sell. If, for instance, you are trying to sell a house worth half a million dollars, you might not want to work with a realtor specializing in fixer-uppers.

 

Many real estate firms have an online portfolio within their website that showcases some of their current and previously sold real estate listings. Here is an example of a robust portfolio of sold properties and current featured properties from Lonestar Living. Keep in mind that a realtor or real estate company website might not necessarily display every current or past listing that the company has handled, but it should at least give you a good idea of the kind of homes with which the realtor or company is familiar.

One of the essential skills that a realtor should have is the ability to list, promote, and market homes with skill. Realtors use a wide range of marketing strategies. Some realtors specialize in the use of videos and virtual tours. Many employ search engine optimization and other technical strategies. Regardless of how your realtor goes about marketing properties, more experienced realtors will likely better handle the marketing component of real estate sales.

Realtors, especially those associated with a major brokerage, will likely have reviews posted online. While it is generally advisable to take online reviews of any kind with a grain of salt, they can help to provide some preliminary guidance and perspective. Remember that reviews tend to be more trustworthy when the reviewer is a verified client of the agent they are reviewing.

 

If you have a friend or family member who has recently worked with a real estate agent, this may be a great opportunity to get a referral. A word-of-mouth referral from someone you trust is much more valuable than a written review from someone you’ve never met.

If you are looking in the Dallas, Texas, area, the Lonestar Living Team can help you with the purchase or sale of a home. Lonestar’s team of realtors fulfills all of the above criteria, with expertise in Dallas, McKinney, Allen, and Frisco homes. Lonestar Living’s real estate agents have years of experience in the Dallas area, as well as marketing prowess and a solid portfolio of current listings and previous home sales. Lonestar can assist you with purchasing or selling Allen homes, Frisco homes, McKinney homes, and more in the Dallas area. Get in touch with Lonestar Living Team when you are ready to get into a family home or luxury property in the Dallas area.