How to Find The Right Real Estate Agent For Ottawa and Rockland
5 min readWhen you are planning on buying or selling a house in Ottawa and Rockland, you are bound to seek out a professional to help. There are plenty of real estate agents out there, some working part-time, others full-time, or even people you have personally known for many years. But those people may not be the right real estate agent for your search. So, how do you find the best person for the job?
Today, we are going to discuss ways to find the best real estate agent, including traits to look for and questions to ask. Let’s get started.
What Should You Look For In a Real Estate Agent?
Before we discuss how to go about finding the best real estate agent in Rockland or Ottawa, there are some qualities a decent listing agent or buyers agent should have. A great real estate agent is going to have familiarity with the neighborhood they serve, and they should also be familiar with the houses they are selling.
Some other considerations include:
Credentials
The first thing that you should always look for is licenses and certifications. Every respectable agent will have credentials on display. Even if they do not have a lot of designations, they should at least be a registered real estate agent for Rockland or Ottawa (or wherever you are hoping to buy/sell a home).
Some agents will have special certifications that give them experience in dealing with special populations. For example, there are some real estate agents that could have a Green designation, which means they focus on eco-friendly practices and sustainability.
Experience
After considering the credentials, you want a real estate agent that can back up their education with experience. If you are a first time buyer or seller, you are going to want to partner with someone who knows the process inside and out. Not only does this decrease your stress, but the agent will provide you with information you might otherwise overlook.
Market Knowledge
As mentioned earlier, you want a real estate agent that knows the local market. One thing an agent knows from experience is that every market is unique. The buyer and seller markets in Ottawa differ from Rockland and from everywhere else in Canada. Make sure you find a real estate agent who can guide you through the market with ease.
Finding the Best Real Estate Agent for You
Now that you know some things to keep in mind while searching for potential agents you want to work with, you can start getting in touch with them. Here are some steps to take when contacting different real estate agents:
Compare Agencies and Reviews
So, you know already that the best real estate agents are going to be those who know the market and have experience dealing with listings for Rockland and Ottawa. Some of the best ways to see which agents are the most qualified include finding personal websites, reading online reviews, and checking out social media. You can also accept referrals from friends and family.
Pay special attention to real estate agents who have responded to their reviews. How do they handle positive ones compared to negative reviews? Do they seem professional in their correspondence?
The tone should help you figure out who you would like to interview.
Interview Several Agents
Like any other professional service, you should talk to a few different people to see who is most in sync with you. Never settle for the first agent you get in contact with, because you may find someone better. Start interviewing three real estate agents. Ask them each the same questions to see how they respond. Write down the answers then compare them to the others you speak with.
Ask The Right Questions
The questions you ask should look into the qualities and credentials the agent has. Here are some examples:
- How long have you been working as a real estate agent? Do you have any credentials or designations?
- How many homes have you sold in Ottawa and/or Rockland?
- Do you work with buyers, sellers, or both?
- Are you a part of a real estate team? If so, who will I be contacting mostly?
- Do you have many active clients at one time?
- Do you have experience working with someone in my situation? Or, have you sold a property with my requirements before?
- Can you provide some references?
- How do you plan to help me find the perfect home?
- Do you have a list of recent sales that I can see?
- How can I exit the contract if I am not happy?
Be sure to note how the agent is responding to your inquiries. They should provide informative responses and be honest.
Discuss Your Goals and Strategies
After you receive answers for your questions, it is time to talk about what you want from the transaction. You should explain, first, your communication preferences. Many buyers and sellers in Ottawa complain about a lack of communication with their real estate agent, so make sure you are choosing someone who is easy to talk to and reach when needed. You should also discuss how often you want to be updated. If these requests seem difficult for the agent, they may not be the best match for you.
Secondly, talk about your motivations if you are selling and your wants if you are buying. Let them know why you want to buy or sell property in Rockland or Ottawa. You should both agree on key points.
Final Thoughts
When it finally comes time to select the best real estate agent, go with your gut instinct. You will have done your research and asked the right questions, so you will have an excellent understanding of who you will be working with. Ultimately, choose the candidate that is most trustworthy and easy to talk with. That person will have your interests in mind. While it can be an overwhelming process, following the tips we listed in this article will make it a little more simple.
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