I was recently chatting with an old friend when the conversation turned to real estate. I congratulated her and her fiancé on buying their first home together. “How’d you do it?” I asked. It was, after all, only seven years ago she and I were broke English teachers living in France, drinking two euro bottles of wine and eating nutella straight out of the jar on the floor of our 150-square-foot, unfurnished living quarters. Those were indeed classy times.
“Honestly,” she said. “Our real estate broker saved our @** with his helpfulness.”
Pardon my friend’s French there, but her enthusiasm about working with a great agent demonstrates how important it is to choosing a real estate agent who can advocate for you during the home buying process. According to the National Association of Realtors, 87% of buyers purchase their home through a real estate agent or broker, which is a significant increase from 69% in 2001.
So, what should you look for in a real estate agent? Some experts say it’s important to find an older agent who has more experience, while others say you should look to younger agents for their knowledge of technology and the evolving market.
Pickett Street, however, says that both experience and innovation are important traits in agents, and luckily, their agents are both young and experienced.
To get to know their agents, check out the team here.
To find the right agent for your real estate adventures today, contact Pickett Street at (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com.
Here are a few more tips to keep in mind as you look for the right real estate agent.
1. Innovation and experience can coexist.
When looking for a real estate agent, it’s critical to make sure that your agent has these two traits: at least a few years of working with the market, and the ability to get creative and adapt to the ever-changing world of real estate and technology.
Not to brag (but hey! where else to brag than on one’s own blog?), but Pickett Street is doing incredible work when it comes to creativity and innovation in real estate. For just a small sample of this exciting work, check out their Instagram, this blog on how they find off-market homes, this list of the team’s upcoming events, and their first-time home buyers class.
2. Ask about the agent’s marketing plan.
How does this particular agent plan to market your home? At the very least, agents should provide:
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professional signage
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follow-up reports on potential buyer showings and feedback
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staging advice
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open houses
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information about other new listings that are in competition with yours
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information about neighborhood trends and data
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Internet and social media-savvy marketing
3. Consider your agent’s communication and networking skills.
Is this agent able to communicate effectively and quickly? Will your agent be able to communicate with agents to help you buy or sell a property? Be sure to find an agent who will be easy to get a hold of and who will be able to negotiate confidently and skillfully for you.
In addition to this criteria, it’s also important that your real estate agent is honest and passionate, operating with both their heads and their hearts. Once again, bragging a bit here, but the Pickett Street team is one of the biggest-hearted real estate crews I know. (For more evidence, check out their commitment to service and their strong penchant for gratitude.)
To find the best agent for your unique real estate needs, let Pickett Street know (425) 502-5397 or info@pickettstreet.com).