- Check out Realtor referrals. — I like Angie’s List because I know that Angie’s List voice verifies each review. You can also see if the agent or brokerage has any awards for client satisfaction.
- Interview several real estate pros — Take a moment to interface to me on the phone. If I can't help you, I can point you toward a Realtor who is more suited to your needs. You sometimes need to see the home you don't want to buy to feel comfortable with the home you will buy. It's the same with licensed real estate advisers.
- It's important that you get along well with your licensed real estate adviser. — You want a licensed real estate adviser that “gets you”. You don't want to have to explain the same thoughts and ideas over and over.
- Ask the Realtor his/her process for finding houses in Centreville. — When deciding on a agent, ask how they find houses. Some agents have their own preferred listings that they favor. But you want what’s dream for you, not what’s perfect for your Realtor. So make sure the Realtor is willing to search high and low to find the right property for you. That includes using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well as their own personal network.
- Learn more about the representation agreement presented to you. — The Commonwealth of Virginia requires all licensed agents to sign a representation agreement before showing properties or having material discussions about a specific place of residence. Be very wary of any agent that is not concerned about getting a representation agreement signed. A representation agreement describes the agent's responsibilities and your obligations when a real estate agent shows you a property in Fairfax County. It doesn't hurt to have a attorney take a look at your representation agreement, but usually that's not necessary. The document is pretty straight forward.
The perfect Realtor might not look like the typical agent, and might work for a family business (or a Fortune-400 company). The great Realtor is easy to get along with, and is easy to get along with.
Tastes, budgets and needs will change depending upon who the buyer is. Some purchasers need garage parking. Some property hunters are only interested in Sudley Farm. Some home shoppers are moving in from out of state. Every buyer is unique in the same way, real estate pros have different persistence and talents.
Here's some best practices for spotting the dream Realtor for you when you’re purchasing in Centreville: