How to Choose a Realtor

As a home buyer, wisely choosing a real estate agent is key to securing your dream home. If you’re selling, they’ll be essential for a smooth and successful sale. In this blog, we’re sharing our top tips on how to choose a realtor based on your unique goals. 

Whether you’re buying a home or selling one, you’re approaching one of the biggest transactions that you’ll make in your lifetime. With that in mind, you’ll want to have clear guidelines for what to look for in a realtor.

How to Find a Real Estate Agent

There are tens of thousands of real estate agents in the Greater Toronto Area – that’s a lot of selection. So, when it comes time to find a real estate agent, you’ll need to start your search strategically.

A great place to begin your Realtor search is through referrals. If you know anyone who has bought or sold a house in the past few years, ask them about the agent they worked with. What did they like about them? What would they change? Hearing from an agent’s past client can give you really helpful insight into what it’s like to work with them.

If you don’t know anyone who can recommend a local agent, that’s okay. Either way, you’ll want to search online to get a better sense of your options.

If you find yourself without the benefit of a referral, the next step to find a good real estate agent is using a search engine to look for Realtors in your area. If you want to narrow down your options even further, you can include terms or phrases that are relevant to your goals, like “first time buyer”, “downsizer”, or “luxury”.

Looking for more information on how to buy a home? Explore these related readings.

• Do You Need to Include Conditions in Your Buying Offer?
• How to Budget for Buying a Home in Vaughan
• What Goes Into Buying Your First Home?

What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent:
Check Out Their Web Presence

A Realtor’s online presence can tell you a lot about them. For instance, by checking out the listings shared on their website or social media, you can get an idea of the areas they work in, and more importantly, how they present and market their for-sale homes.

On that note, it’s always a good idea to check out online reviews and testimonials. A great Realtor will have plenty of positive reviews from dozens, if not hundreds, of clients.

Want to hear from our clients about what it’s like to work with the Lino Arci Team? Read our testimonials and reviews.

How to Pick a Realtor: Know What to Ask

After you’ve found a few Realtors who may seem like a good fit, you’ll want to speak to them directly – sort of like an informal interview. This gives you a chance to ask important questions about the agent, their services, and how they may approach your purchase or sale.

Start by creating a list of questions that address your needs, expectations, and concerns. This preparation will provide clarity when you commence your search, helping you identify the ideal candidate.

How to Choose a Realtor When Selling

As real estate agents ourselves, we’ve got a few recommendations for the type of questions you should ask when talking to a Realtor about selling your home.

1. How long have you been a Realtor?
2. How big is your team?
3. What neighbourhoods and communities do you work in?
4. Have you sold houses in my neighbourhood before? How many?
5. What are your main selling strategies?
6. How do you prepare homes for the market? Do you stage your listings?
7. What do you think my house is worth?

Preparing to sell your home? Explore these related blogs for advice on getting the best result possible.

• What to Look For in a Listing Agreement
• Are Home Sold Guarantees the Real Deal?
• The Top 5 Common Mistakes Home Sellers Make

How to Choose a Realtor When Buying

If you’re in the market for a new place, here are a few questions to ask a Realtor before you decide to work with them.

1. How long have you been a Realtor?
2. How big is your team?
3. How many clients are you working with?
4. What neighbourhoods and communities do you work in?
5. What is your process for finding and vetting available homes?
6. How do you help buyers make offers and negotiate?

Making Your Decision

In the GTA, your options are almost endless when it comes to choosing a Realtor. However, by following the steps above, you should be able to narrow your search easily and effectively.

There’s no magic number for how many real estate professionals you should research (and interview) before deciding on who to hire, but ideally, you’ll talk to at least two or three agents first.

When it comes to choosing a real estate agent, you’ll want to follow your gut. If you’ve done your due diligence and found a Realtor who seems like a great fit, they’re probably the right option for you.

Looking For a Great Realtor in the GTA?

Whatever your real estate needs may look like, transitioning from one home to the next is no easy task – that’s where we come in. As Vaughan’s #1 real estate group, the Lino Arci Team provides a smooth, client-focused experience that helps you reach your goals in as little time as possible.

Buying or selling? We’re here to help. Call us at 416-571-2724 or email info@arciteam.com to get started.