How to Choose a Real Estate Agent as a First Time Homebuyer

Estimated reading time: 2.5 minutes

When you’re buying a home, it’s important to build a team that has experience and understanding. Having experts by your side, like your Loan Originator and real estate agent, can help you achieve success with confidence. But as a first-time homebuyer, how do you choose an agent you can trust?

What is a Real Estate Agent? What Do They Do?

A real estate agent is a licensed professional who assists people that are buying or selling properties. They provide information and vital support every step of the way, including coordination between all parties involved in the transaction.

While not a fully comprehensive list, here is a small glimpse of the assistance your agent may provide:

• Help buyers understand local markets
• Research potential homes
• Organize appointments for home tours and open houses based on your budget and must-have’s
• Schedule appraisals and inspections
• Assist in evaluating the value of a home before you make an offer
• Research comparable properties to estimate a home’s value
• Send information and communicate closely with your Loan Originator
• Write home offers
• Handle negotiations
• And more

What to Consider When Choosing an Agent

Their Experience

While years of working can garner experience, it’s important your real estate agent has specific qualifications or direct experience based on your needs. Does the agent have experience with specific loan or property requirements, such as FHA or USDA programs? Do they have experience helping clients with different types of homes, like multi-family or townhouses?

Their Local Knowledge

Whether you’ve lived in an area for two years or ten, you may not know the ins and outs of the local market trends or home prices. A local real estate agent will be able to provide important insights about the area’s home prices that non-local agents may miss.

Their Availability

Everyone has different availabilities and communication needs. Some people prefer to do business over e-mail instead of texting or phone calls. Others may have obligations like childcare or working hours that influence when they can reach out to their real estate agent. Be sure the agent you hire meshes with your lifestyle and needs.

How Do You Find a Real Estate Agent?

Leverage Your Network

Chances are that your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors have used a real estate agent in the past. Asking those you trust for recommendations can provide a realistic look at how a particular agent manages the process.

Do Your Research

Whether or not a real estate agent works independently or as a part of a larger network, all agents must be licensed in the states they operate in and abide by national and state laws. Many states have public databases for consumers to look up active licensing. Additionally, looking up an agent’s social media accounts can reveal their work style and priorities.

Ask Your Loan Originator

An expert homebuying team can help you get to the finish line, keys in hand! If you need assistance finding a real estate professional that works for you, our Loan Originators have trusted networks of partners they can leverage for you.

Ready to take the plunge into homeownership? Contact us today!