Once you understand how difficult it is to deal with real estate, you might think that working with a long-distance real estate agent is a lost cause. But, in actuality, a long-distance real estate agent can do you a world of good. What is paramount here is to do your research and find the right one. After all, the most challenging aspect of them being far away from you is tracking their performance. With this in mind, we will give you a couple of tips that should help you find and work with a good long-distance realtor.
Prepare for working with a long-distance real estate agent
It is better to have a good long-distance real estate agent than a poor local one. While this may seem obvious, it is still worth emphasizing, especially if you are unsure where to start looking for one. Numerous companies out there can help you connect to Realtors and ensure that you have one in your market. But, it is the quality of the agent, not their location, that you should keep as a top priority. The only way to make this possible is with careful preparation and diligent research.
Figure out what do you want out of your realtor
We would first advise you to get a clear idea of what you want out of your realtor. Do you want them to help you sell your home, or should they also clue you in about renovations? Are you trying to find a home and need someone with in-depth knowledge of the local market? Or are you considering renting in a different state and need someone to find you an apartment while you prepare for the move with a company such as State to State Move? The more clearly you can outline what you need, the easier it will be to find a realtor to help you.
What is essential to understand here is that every real estate agent has an area where they are experts. Some are experts in selling homes and altering them for maximum profit. Others know how to find suitable apartments for rent and ensure that you don't have to deal with bad landlords. So, it is always a good idea to know what you need. That way, you can find a realtor with the most experience.
Do online research
The next step is to go online and see what kind of realtors are available. Depending on where you look, you may find dozens of different realtors at your disposal. What you need to do is sort them. First, make sure that they have the necessary licenses (these can differ between states). Ideally, you will find their ratings and reviews from previous clients and see how dependable they are. Once you find the top three that you like, you can proceed to the next step.
Conduct an interview
The interview is arguably the most important step in finding a good realtor. Someone can have terrific online reviews and recommendations from previous clients. But, if their personality is not compatible with yours, you shouldn't work with them. Even though this is a professional project where capabilities should come first and foremost, the temperament of your relator can play a significant role. If you two can't see eye to eye, you will soon clash and likely separate. So, conduct an interview and see what they are like.
Good questions to ask are:
• How do you envision our collaboration?
• Can you tell me about your past experiences?
• Who was your most challenging client?
• How did you handle them?
• What should I expect from you?
While there are further questions you can ask when buying real estate, these should give you an idea of what the realtor is like and how they behave in a professional setting. The more you talk to them, the more you will see whether you can communicate easily and whether they understand your needs. Finally, you should always trust your gut and avoid realtors that give you a bad feeling, even if they have excellent ratings.
Ensure proper cooperation
As we said, having a good realtor by your side is half the battle. Even if they are not physically by your side, they will make dealing with real estate a whole lot easier. But, while finding them is vital, you need to take a couple of more steps to ensure that your cooperation goes smoothly.
Regular communication
Firstly, you want to communicate with your realtor regularly. Even if there are no updates, you still want to check up on them at least once per week. That way, they will keep you and your needs in mind. You should inquire about any changes in the current market and see what their predictions are.
Furthermore, if you are also dealing with cross-country relocation besides tackling real estate, it is paramount that you can clearly and easily communicate with your agent. More often than not, they can give you valuable insight on when to move and how to prepare. Combine that with the advice you get from your movers, and you can easily get everything you need ready for the move ahead.
Precise milestones
Relying on your intuition can only take you so far. To avoid being led on by dishonest realtors, you should have clear milestones. Just like moving companies give you clear timelines to follow, so should your realtor explain what's to come.
When to break off
Working with a long-distance real estate agent isn't always fun and pleasant. You might run into issues and struggles that you'll need to find a way out of. A good realtor will give you a clear explanation of what is going on and a comprehensive solution to your problems. If they don't, and they only give you excuses, you should consider letting them go. Remember, every minute you spend working with a bad realtor is a minute you could've spent working with a good one. And companies like Top Agent Rebate are always happy to connect you with one.
Written by: Lisa Roberts with US Moving Experts