When it comes to selling a house, finding a trustworthy Realtor is arguably one of the most important pieces to the puzzle. A good real estate agent will guide you through your homesale from start to finish, providing you with tips, insights, and a feeling of assurance on every decision that you make. These days, we have the internet to help us find just about everything we need, but that doesn’t always mean that its “suggestions” are the best option. While there are plenty of tools online to help you find a real estate agent, you should be aware that even if that agent is recommended, they might not work well for you. Here are some tips for finding a trustworthy Realtor in 30 minutes flat.

Look into the Data
There are quite a few points to look for when you’re searching for a Realtor, aside from forming a good rapport with them. Depending on where you live, the qualifications for what will make an agent impressive or not are going to vary. For example, one in New York City is probably going to have sold more homes than someone in rural Iowa. Base the data off of your area by getting a good understanding of who is more trustworthy by comparing different agents’ stats.
Additionally, while more experienced agents are likely going to have a higher number of homes sold overall, that doesn’t exactly mean they’re going to do a better job than a newer agent. Sometimes, newer real estate agents have a fresher eye and a better grasp on how to use upcoming technology and resources. Look into the data of several agents, both newer and more seasoned, to compart how many houses they’ve sold in the past year, how long it’s taken them to sell a specific house, and the prices that they’ve sold them for. According to insights from top agents, 2021 is going to be a busy year in the industry.
Set Up Multiple Interviews
While you can search and compare all you want, you’re really only going to be able to get a feel of a real estate agent’s potential by talking to them face-to-face, or these days, Zoom-to-Zoom. Contact at least three agents who you researched and set up an interview with them. During this interview, ask them specific questions related to their past experiences as well as questions regarding your own personal goals. Like we mentioned in the previous point, good stats only make up part of the puzzle. You’ll be working with this person continuously during the upcoming weeks, and having a good relationship with them is key!
Be Specific With Your Questions
When interviewing agents, have a list of questions prepared prior to your meeting. These questions should include some of the following:
- How long are the homes you place on the market there for normally?
- How do the prices of the homes you list generally compare to that of the final sale?
- Are you familiar with the local market?
- During tough times, like the pandemic or the recession, how did you fare?
- What are their options for a quick home sale?
According to insights from top agents, the real estate landscape has changed abruptly in the last year, and is likely going to continue to do so. Make sure that the agent you go with has the ability to adapt by asking them questions about their past.
After going through these steps and setting up your interviews, you should have your real estate agent chosen in no time! For more informational and entertaining posts, real estate or not, come back to the ONTAPBLOG for some more great content.