Buying or selling a home ranks high among the financial decisions anyone can ever make. You need to find someone who can make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
Whether you’re looking for a buyer’s agent, listing agent, or a selling agent, here’s how you find the best Santa Cruz County realtor for your needs:
Search for a local agent
A local agent has the expertise and knowledge to navigate your target neighborhood with ease. Because they have a good understanding of local market trends, they can provide a lot of often-critical insights.
The help of a local expert who knows the ins and outs of your target neighborhood can prove invaluable. If you’re looking for homes for sale in Aptos, CA, for example, you need a realtor who specializes in Aptos and the surrounding areas.
This is helpful for buyers because local agents will have access to available properties before they even hit the market. For sellers, having a savvy agent who knows how to cater to local buyers is a great advantage.
Check if their license is up to date
Once you’ve shortlisted your potential agents, check to see if their license is updated. Verify the status of a real estate license by going to the website for the California Department of Real Estate and checking their database. To conduct a search, you’ll need to have the licensee or company name or the license ID of your agent.
You should also do a background check to see if your potential agent has ever had any disciplinary actions taken against them. The California Department of Real Estate website also has a list of people and entities who’ve been served with a Desist and Refrain Order.
Look at their most recent transactions and certifications
Your ideal agent is someone whose experience matches your needs as a buyer or seller. Review their most recent transactions to make sure they know how to handle the type of property you’re buying or selling.
Also, check if they have any special certifications. If you’re selling luxury real estate, for instance, you’ll want someone who’s a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. This certification ensures that your potential agent has the tools and resources designed for selling luxury properties.
Interview them in person
Before hiring an agent, it’s best to meet them in person first to discuss their experience and your expectations for your sale or purchase. An in-person interview will help you get to know the realtor better and determine if they’re a good match for you. Because a real estate transaction is a pretty stressful process, it’s best you find someone you can be comfortable with.
Ask for references
Don’t forget to ask your potential real estate agent for their references. Talking to past clients will provide you useful information on an agent’s work ethic, professionalism, and other helpful things that might not have come up during the interview.
If an agent doesn’t have any references, it could mean they’re a new agent or that they didn’t have a good relationship with previous clients. Either way, it’s best to move on and look for other candidates.
Are you buying or selling in the area? Get in touch with expert real estate agent Amber Melenudo. As a top 1% producing agent in Santa Cruz County, I can help you get the most out of your real estate experience. Call me today at 831.661.5591 or send an email to <amber@davidlyng.com[/mail_to].