How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent: Insights from a Lakeland Real Estate Agent
Finding a great real estate agent in Lakeland, Florida is the best place to start when you're planning to buy or sell your home. But with the large and growing number of real estate agents out there, how do you find the right one? We’re going to explain below.
Ask around for personal recommendations.
Start by asking your friends, co-workers, and relatives to recommend a real estate agent. Most people who have had a good experience working with a real estate agent will be happy to share their experience and why they believe their agent’s services were helpful during the home buying/selling process. References from people that you know and trust often times turn out to the best options. The people you know and trust understand you and can usually align you with someone you would be very compatible with.
Visit open houses.
Attending open houses is one of the best opportunities to meet good real estate agents near you. When you are at an open house, pay close attention to the professional etiquette of the agent. Do they seem knowledgeable about the house they are showing and the neighborhood it is in? Are they able to point out the features of the house, or do they basically neglect visitors?
Work with an experienced agent.
Once you have narrowed your list even more based on the feedback from the agent’s recent clients, look at how long the agent you are considering have been in the industry. You should look for an agent who knows the local market where you are selling or planning to buy your home.
Next steps
When evaluating your shortlisted real estate agents, look at their websites and current property listings. Your future agent should be technology-savvy, and they should know how to use every tool they have at their disposal to help you find your dream home or sell your current one. The agent should also maintain a reliable line of communication with you and use the form of contact you prefer — telephone, text, email, or video chat.
Ideally, your prospective real estate agent in Lakeland, Florida, should be busy — but not too busy to represent you adequately. Do you feel that they are committed to giving you full and enthusiastic service? If they would rather hand you over to an “assistant” instead of giving your sale or purchase full and enthusiastic service, you may want to look for a different real estate agent.
Your real estate agent should be honest about their pricing for representing you as a seller or buyer. The old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true...” may also apply to real estate agents. Never go with the lowest bid — trust your observational skills and intuition. When you combine them with the insights you have gained from your interviews, you should be able to make a well-informed decision.
Looking for an experienced real estate agent in Lakeland, Florida?
If you are looking for a licensed real estate agent in Lakeland, Florida, trust Lisa Matheny, Realtor of the Dalton Wade Real Estate Group. Bringing a wealth of knowledge on local communities, current market conditions, and the home buying and selling process, Lisa can provide you guidance and advice on what you need to know to make your home buying/selling process as stress-free as possible.
Whether you are looking for a new home or thinking about selling your current home, Lisa is the realtor to call. Contact Lisa Matheny, Realtor today at (863) 412-6633 to get started.