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- Check out real estate agent referrals. — Check out Angie’s List because Angie’s List verifies each review. You can also see if the agent or brokerage has any awards for client satisfaction.
- Speak with a few real estate agents — The Realtor should have time to talk to you. If you pick the most popular real estate pro in Fairfax County, you might find yourself working with a junior associate affiliated with that agent. You sometimes need to see the detached you don't want to buy to feel comfortable with the home you will get. It's the same with real estate agents.
- Your real estate agent should be someone you won't mind spending some time with. — Professional expertise is an important criterion when choosing a Realtor in Fairfax County. You want a Realtor that “gets you”.
- Ask the Realtor his/her process for finding detacheds in Alexandria. — When choosing a Realtor, ask how they identify detacheds. Some Realtors have their own preferred listings that they favor. But you want what’s best for you, not what’s dream for your agent. So make sure the Realtor is willing to search high and low to find the best choice of home for you. That includes using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well as their own personal network.
- Make sure you understand what you sign. — The Commonwealth of Virginia requires all licensed agents to sign a representation agreement before showing properties or having material discussions about a specific detached. Be very wary of any agent that is not concerned about getting a representation agreement signed. This advice is heavily used for a reason. It doesn't hurt to have a lawyer take a look at your representation agreement, but usually that's not necessary. The document is pretty straight forward.
The right Realtor is not necessarily the one related to you, and probably isn't a pushy individual.
The most suitable Realtor is easy to get along with, and has the flexibility to work on your schedule.
Here's some best practices for comparing the right licensed real estate adviser for you when you're buying a home with 3,266 sqft of living space: