Selecting an Atlanta Real estate agent
Buying a home is an exciting adventure! It can also be a very time-consuming and costly one if you’re not familiar with all aspects of the process and don’t have all the best information and resources at hand.
How do you select a real estate agent? Whether you are buying or selling, here are some thoughts for you to ponder, before selecting an agent to help you:
I am a Realtor. All Realtors are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are Realtors. Realtors are agents who belong to a Board of Realtors and more importantly, adhere and subscribe to a Code of Ethics. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) prides itself in their Code of Ethics, which in 2013, will be 100 years old. NAR constantly changes the Code, to be relevant to real estate business practices, market conditions and technology. Realtors do not charge extra for this designation and, typically, are better trained and educated.
Get to know your agent. Let’s get to know each other so that you feel safe and comfortable with me and that I can best serve your needs. This may take a while, whether in person, on the telephone or via email; I will ask a lot of questions and listen closely to your answers. These conversations, along with every conversation, email, text or meeting we have, will give me the information I need to make sure your Atlanta home search is focused on what you are looking for, so that we don’t waste your valuable time looking at homes that are not appropriate.
Ask questions of your Realtor. How long has she/he been licensed and how many transactions does she/he do in a month or in a year? Is your Realtor a full-time or a part-time agent? Does your agent have repeat clients? In terms of number of transactions and commissions earned in 2009, our office was the #2 office in the Atlanta metropolitan area, city-wide and I was in the top 5% of agents in my office. Can your agent say that?
Your agent will help you find a lender that will tailor a loan to fit your needs. Getting pre-qualified and pre-approved will lend weight to any offers you make and add valuable criteria to use in your Atlanta home search. I work closely with lenders throughout the purchase, making sure you have a smooth transition from “home buyer” to “home owner.”
Your Realtor will recommend inspections when necessary, schedule your inspections, make sure the reports get turned into the appropriate parties, schedule repairs (if needed), work with the other agent, your lender, appraiser, closing attorney and other professionals as required to keep your Atlanta home purchase moving forward. I will help you measure your rooms for furniture, recommend gardeners, insurance agents, places to stay while you’re home-shopping (if you are coming from out-of-town) and places to eat, plus I will be accessable to you for your questions and concerns throughout the process. I enjoy these details and do not pawn them over to an assistant or to another agent!
If you’re like most people, buying a home is the purchase you will ever make. Whether you’re buying a starter home, your dream home or an investment property, why not take advantage of my experience to make the most informed decisions you can, every step of the way?
If you or a friend are buying or selling an Atlanta home or property in 2010, call or email me. Experience TRUE Experience!