Your best choice isn't necessarily born in Northern Virginia, and is not necessarily the one related to you. Your best choice can think creatively to make the deal happen, and won't panic when facing an unexpected curve.
Tastes, budgets and needs will change depending upon who the property hunter is. Some property hunters love the fact that Nesbitt Realty will rebate them $5,646 when they use me to purchase 1650 Silver Hill Dr #1704. (Others couldn't care less.) Some home shoppers want a big lawn. Some purchasers don't mind a longer commute to get more than 1,160 sqft of home. Just as home buyers have different needs, real estate professionals have different experiences and specialties.
Here's some tips for finding the dream Realtor for you when you're buying a multi-family building with 1,160 sqft of living space:
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- Check out real estate agent 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.
- Talk to multiple Realtors — You sometimes need to see the place of residence you don't want to buy to feel comfortable with the home you will acquire. It's the same with Realtors. The agent should have time to chat to you. If you pick the most popular real estate professional in Fairfax County, you might find yourself working with a junior associate affiliated with that licensed real estate adviser.
- Don't under estimate the value of likability. — You don't want to have to explain the same thoughts and ideas over and over. Interpersonal skills are as important as professional skills.
- Ask the real estate agent his/her process for finding multi-family buildings. — When choosing a Realtor, ask how they search for multi-family buildings. Some real estate pros have their own preferred listings that they favor. But you want what’s right for you, not what’s dream for your Realtor. So make sure the real estate pro is willing to search high and low to find the right pied-a-terre 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 multi-family building. 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 residence in Fairfax County. It's critical that you examine all documents during the home buying process, and that includes your agent's representation agreement.
Contact us at (703)765-0300 to speak to a real estate agent that cares about your needs.
