How To Find The Right Real Estate Agent For You

If you're thinking about investing in real estate in the Grand Rapids area, then you should strongly consider hiring a real estate agent. A lot of buyers mistakenly think that they can get by without the help of a real estate agent since it's relatively easy to look at homes that are for sale online.

However, the experience and expertise that a local real estate agent brings to the table is invaluable. Not to mention that local real estate agents have extensive networks that they can use to their advantage to find the type of property you're looking for. Of course, the value you get out of using a real estate agent will depend on the quality of the agent you use. So how exactly do you go about identifying a high-quality real estate agent? The following are a few tips to help you find a real estate agent in the Grand Rapids area that will fit your home buying needs.

The following are a few tips to help you find a high-quality real estate agent in the Grand Rapids area:

• Ask for recommendations - The easiest way to start your search if you happen to live in the Grand Rapids area is to ask friends, family, and colleagues who have recently bought a home if they would recommend their agent to you. You can then begin doing research using these recommendations.
  
  
• Look for local agents - If you're looking up agents on your own, make sure that they are local to the area you want to buy in. Specifically, look for agents who are active in neighborhoods that you're particularly interested in. Real estate agents are going to have more connections in the areas where they are most active, which means that they can not only help you find newly listed properties, but they can also give you good advice concerning the prices.
  
  
• Check their online presence - Go to their website and social media profiles to read up on them. The more information that they provide, the better. Be very wary of any agent that lacks a website or a social media presence. Good agents are often active on social media and may even answer a few basic questions you might have through their social media page.
  
  
• Choose an agent that's a certified Realtor® - Real estate agents who are certified Realtors® are members of NAR (the National Association of Realtors®), which means that they have to adhere to a strict code of ethics. Essentially, a Realtor® is likely going to have a good reputation.
  
  
• Look for additional certifications - The more certifications, the better. It speaks to both their experience and their expertise. Look for local certifications in particular.
  
  
• Read online reviews - Don't forget to look at online reviews to see what previous buyers and sellers have to say about their experience working with them.

When you've managed to identify a real estate agent that has a good reputation and appears to have the qualifications you seek, you will want to interview them. Buying real estate is a huge investment, which is why you'll want to make absolutely sure that the real estate agent you choose is the right fit for you. The following are a few questions you should be sure to ask when speaking with a real estate agent:

• How long have you been a real estate agent? - The longer they've worked as an agent, the more they understand the buying process. It also means that they've likely built a more expansive network of connections that you can take advantage of.
  
  
• Are you a full-time real estate agent? - Part-time real estate agents may have other things going on in their life and may not be able to dedicate as much time and effort in helping you.
  
  
• Can you provide references? - Don't trust a real estate agent who can't or won't provide you with references. When an agent does provide you with references, be sure to contact them.
  
  
• How many clients are you currently working with? - If they're working with a significant number of clients, they won't be able to dedicate as much time to you.
  
  
• How many of your clients are buyers? - Buying and selling a house is not the same thing. If you're a homebuyer, look for an agent that has experience with the home buying process.

A good real estate agent can help you find the type of property you're looking for, help negotiate the final price, guide you through the entire buying process, and provide professional advice whenever questions and concerns may pop up. As such, it's important that you take the time to find an experienced and reputable real estate agent if you're planning on buying property in Grand Rapids. Contact us at the Sprich Group to speak to a Grand Rapids real estate agent about your home buying needs today.

Tom Sprich is a Real Estate Agent and REALTOR in Grand Rapids, Michigan who has consistently been in the top 10 in terms of production at Grand Rapids’ Keller Williams office out of 185 active Realtors. His office does close to one third of a billion dollars of residential real estate sales. Tom has lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan for over 50 years and is an active member of the community.