Find an Agent
June 15, 2024
Finding an agent is easy. But finding one that is a good fit for you and your needs may require a bit of effort. It is important that your agent is reliable and effective for a smooth home buying or selling process. How you go about it is totally up to you but here are some tips to guide you!
1. Ask Around: Use your network
- Friends and Family: If you have trusted friends or family that have purchased or sold a home, ask them who they used for the transaction. More importantly, did they have a good experience?
- Local Community: Utilize local social media groups or community boards to get suggestions from residents.
- Follow Agents: Follow potential agents on social media to see how they interact with clients and market properties.
- Visit Offices: Visit local real estate offices in Las Vegas and talk to the brokers to get recommendations for agents who might be a good fit for your needs.
Many times, people have a real estate agent that they used for a previous transaction and can recommend someone. This is a great place to start but read on for other variables to consider.
2. Personality: Know your mind and heart
- Personal Connection: Choose an agent you feel comfortable with and trust. This person will be your guide through a significant financial transaction.
- Responsiveness: Notice their responsiveness and willingness to address your concerns during the initial interactions.
Yes, you want someone who knows the business, but arguably it’s most important that you get along well. You may be having some tough conversations or need support during stressful times during the process. A level-headed, calming presence is key while going through stressful activities. You want to make sure you vibe well with the person guiding you through this process. So make sure that you get along well and can communicate under duress.
3. Questions: Important to know
- Real Estate Websites: Use platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin to search for agents. These sites often have reviews and ratings from previous clients.
- Professional Organizations: Check the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) or the Las Vegas Realtors® (LVR) for registered agents.
- Review Sites: Look at reviews on Yelp, Google, and Better Business Bureau to find agents with positive feedback and a good reputation.
- Track Record: Check their history of sales, years of experience, and areas of expertise.
- Licensing: Verify that the agent is licensed and in good standing with the Nevada Real Estate Division.
- Specializations: Consider agents who specialize in first-time home buyers or the specific neighborhoods you are interested in.
- Connections: A well-connected agent can recommend reliable mortgage brokers, home inspectors, and other professionals you might need during the home buying process.
- Neighborhood Expertise: Ensure the agent has in-depth knowledge of the neighborhoods you’re considering, including schools, amenities, and market trends.
- Recent Transactions: Ask about their recent transactions in those areas to gauge their active involvement and success.
- Questions to Ask: Here are some questions to ask your agent to get to know them better to determine if they’re a good fit for you.
- How long have you been in business?
- What are your specialties?
- Do you have team members?
- Communication preferences - text, phone, video?
- How many buyers/sellers have you represented?
- May I contact a few clients?
- How will you update me?
- Can you recommend service providers?
- What is the Variation in offers to final price?
- What is your business philosophy?
4. Meet and Greet: Set up interviews
- Meet Multiple Agents: Schedule interviews with at least 3-5 agents to compare their experience, knowledge, and approach.
- Ask Questions: Inquire about their experience with first-time buyers, knowledge of the local market, and their communication style. Use the questions provided above and think of some that you know are important to your situation.
Meet with potential agents and get a feel for them and how they practice business. Then decide of it ultimately will be a good fit for you and whomever else may be involved in the process.
Finding an agent will allow you to connect with all the other players involved in this journey. You want an agent that will always be honest and direct with you!
5. Journey On: Now that you have the MVP
Now that you have an agent, begin to build the remaining winning team members that will help you accomplish your dreams!
By following these steps, you’ll be able to find a knowledgeable and reliable real estate agent in Las Vegas who can guide you through your first home buying experience.
Do you need to buy, sell or lease a property in the Las Vegas area?
Connect with me online? @glitterpunkrealtor
I am a local Las Vegas real estate agent. If you are in the Las Vegas area and need real estate help, I’m happy to be of service! Send me a text to schedule an appointment today. Or you may book an appointment online here.