Finding the right realtor can seem like a daunting task. There are so many factors to keep in mind--do they specialize in representing buyers or sellers? Are they experienced with your particular property type? What services do they offer if you decide to sell your house?
When you begin the process of finding a new house, no matter where that is, an important step is to find the right realtor to suit your needs. It's okay to meet with several realtors and interview them to find out who will be a good fit for you.
If you're beginning the homebuying journey or are looking to sell your home and are looking for the right Oahu realtor, here are some questions to ask when vetting potential realtors:
1. What experience do they have with the area you're looking to buy in?
Experience with a particular property type is important, but it's also a good idea to find a realtor who has experience with an area that you're specifically interested in. If you're new to the Honolulu area and want a new home, for example, make sure your realtor is familiar with the neighborhoods you're considering.
You can also ask if they have a good working knowledge of the area that you're looking to buy in. An experienced realtor will be able to answer questions about what the schools are like in the neighborhood, what amenities the area has to offer, and how safe it is.
An experienced realtor will also give you the lowdown on each neighborhood in your potential new city. You can create a list of priorities--maybe good schools are important to you and your family, access to decent public transportation, or proximity to shopping centers and top restaurants--and they'll be able to tell you which neighborhoods feature those specific amenities.
You can also describe your dream house and they'll be able to guide you to the area that features that type of home. If you're looking for an elegant townhome or perhaps a more rural property on a spacious plot of land, your realtor should be able to find you exactly what you're looking for.
2. Do they specialize in representing buyers or sellers?
A realtor will typically specialize in one or the other: buyers or sellers. While many brokers and agents can do both, it's important to find someone who understands your perspective.
If you're looking for a realtor who specializes in representing buyers, they should be familiar with the buying process and have experience helping their clients find new homes. They'll also understand what's important to you during the househunting process.
If you opt for a realtor who specializes in sellers, they'll be able to help you determine your home's market value, prepare it for showing, and market it to potential buyers. They should be able to handle all the paperwork and negotiations involved in selling a house.
It may be easiest for you to find a realtor who represents both buyers and sellers. These realtors will be able to help you find the perfect home and then handle all of the paperwork that goes into selling your existing house. This way, once your realtor has found you your dream home, they can help you in getting your current home ready and listed for selling!
3. What services do they offer with the listing?
While you might be most concerned with buying or selling your home, it's important to find a realtor who will also help you throughout the entire selling process
Services that are offered by realtors vary, but they can include helping you prepare your house for showings, arranging for open houses or broker tours, advertising your home with print and online marketing campaigns, and more.
Choosing a realtor who offers services that you're interested in is important, but it's also helpful to find one who fits your individual needs. Maybe you don't need a lot of help with the selling process or there are other things, like staging or repairs, that you can do yourself.
If this sounds like your situation, make sure your realtor is honest with you. They don't want to waste their time or yours, so make sure they're candid about what services they can offer and whether or not you'll need to hire outside professionals for certain tasks.
4. Are they members of any trade associations, like the Honolulu Board of Realtors?
Your realtor should be a member of local trade organizations, like the Honolulu Board of Realtors. Membership in these organizations is voluntary, but it's further evidence that they're committed to their clients and to upholding industry standards. Membership to these types of trade associations displays the agent's commitment to their client and upholding industry standards.
If your realtor isn't a part of a trade association, you can ask why. It could be a simple case of not being aware, but it might also mean that they're not willing to commit the time and energy it takes to be a good realtor.
Of course, you can still work with someone who isn't a part of an association, but you might not have access to the same services. Trade associations offer an intricate network of connections and benefits to their members that can be hard to find outside of the organization.
5. How much commission will they make if I sell my house?
When buying or selling a home, you want someone who is willing to work with their clients in order to get the best possible outcome. Most realtors will work on commission, but that's not the only factor to keep in mind when finding a new realtor. It's also good to keep in mind that commission fees may be negotiable. Ask your realtor about their typical fee range and what they would suggest for your individual case.
It's important to ask about any other fees you may have to pay, like closing costs or listing fees in order to get an idea of how much money you'll have to spend when selling with this realtor. There can be plenty of unexpected fees that come with buying and selling a home, fees that you may not think about particularly if you're a first-time buyer. When looking for a realtor, you'll want someone who is going to lay everything out clearly for you and let you know what you can expect when it comes to unexpected fees.
You can also ask how much they will make if they represent you when you sell your house. While the commission percentage may vary, good realtors who offer honest and transparent services to their clients aren't out to get rich quickly--they're trying to find a good fit for both seller and buyer in order to keep their clients happy.
Lots of realtors will say that they'll do their best to represent both the buyer and seller in order to get the deal done, but that's not always realistic. If you find a realtor who is willing to make sure your interests are taken care of and doesn't try to push you towards one side or another, you've found a good fit.
6. What else can you tell me about your company and your services?
When looking for a realtor, it's important to find someone who conducts their business in an ethical and professional manner. You can ask about any additional services that may be offered by the company or agent, like title insurance or legal help.
It's also good to get an idea of how they conduct their business. Are you meeting with one agent, or will you be meeting with several different agents? How are they planning to market your home? Will they work with more than one agent in order to get more eyes on your listing? Lots of questions should come up when speaking with the realtor, so it's important to feel comfortable asking them.
To get a better stance on the company's reputation, be sure to ask for references. If the realtor does a good job, they should be able to provide you with a list of previous clients who will gladly advertise their experience.
7. What's their availability like?
A good realtor will communicate with you throughout the entire process of buying or selling a home, even if they're not representing you directly. This means that your realtor should have an open line of communication with you and be available for late-night or weekend texts or phone calls, especially if there are issues that arise that need immediate attention.
You may also want to ask them what their preferred method of communication is. It's okay if they have an office assistant that answers phones instead of them, but you should still be able to reach them at any time.
In this age of technology, there are several different ways for communication between client and realtor. If you have a preference, be that email, phone calls, texting, then be sure to mention that to your potential realtor. They may be willing to use that form of communication to make things easiest for you throughout your buying or selling process.
When looking for a realtor, there are plenty of questions that you can ask in order to get to know them. While it may seem overwhelming at first, asking these seven questions is the best way to get started when you're looking for an Oahu realtor to help you buy or sell your home. After interviewing your potential realtors, you can narrow down the list of people who are right for you and your house hunt. A good realtor will ease the stress of buying or selling a home, and will work hard to make sure that your deal goes as smoothly as possible and you can get the most out of this major life experience.
Oahu Military Real Estate have streamlined the process of buying or selling a home to make it easier for you! Our team is made up of caring, knowledgeable professionals who are dedicated to providing the most up-to-date market data in the area. Contact us today to find out how can be of assistance to you!