Besides the obvious requirements for time and money, buying a house requires traits like patience and persistence. Given the amount of stress that comes with the home buying process, it is better to have a seasoned real estate agent help you out rather than taking on everything yourself. Prospective buyers with quality real estate agents enjoy a clear advantage over their competitors. With that said, here are three things to expect from your real estate agent when buying a house.
Regular communication
Communication is key in any relationship, and it is just as important in a buyer-agent relationship. One of the most common reasons for agents being let off is a lack of frequent communication. As a general rule of thumb, agents must respond to emails, text messages and phone calls from buyers within a few hours. Buyers must feel assured that their concerns and questions are duly acknowledged, and that their agent will timely notify them of any new listings that fit the requirements.
Full disclosure
It is crucial for a buyer-agent relationship to be based on principles of truth and honesty. While it is not always easy to conclude if an agent is fully honest or practices full disclosure, there are things you can try to gauge this. One way is to ask the agent for the contact information of some past clients they may have represented. With the agent’s consent, you may be able to reach out to a few previous clients who could reflect on the quality of services they received.
Business connections
Besides bringing a wealth of experience, a seasoned agent has a network of important business contacts. Since you will need the services of different professionals throughout the home buying process, solid recommendations from your agent will be a real luxury. If an agent lacks a strong network of business connections, you may less likely receive the quality of services that you could have otherwise enjoyed.
Having a real estate agent by your side through the home buying process will add to your costs but the wealth of experience and business contacts they bring along are likely to make it worth your while.
You can get in touch with me for any assistance or advice about buying or selling a home in Greater Boston. Feel free to call me or send me an email or get in touch on Facebook.
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