Real Estate

The most important you can do when buying your home is selecting a good real estate agent. While they can be hard to come by, the value in having one can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars. One of the most important steps to take is evaluating your realtor on a personal level. If your agent can’t make a good first impression with you, how is he going to make one with a potential seller? Additionally, find out if he has a strong attitude and a commitment to the profession. If he’s ambivalent about what he’s doing, it might not be the best idea to hire him.
While one of the first things you might think to do is ask for referrals, this might not always be the smartest thing to do. Some realtors offer former clients referral fees, which might cause them to forget their negative experiences.
Make sure that you have an exclusive buyer’s or seller’s agent. If your real estate agent represents both the seller and the buyer, he might have perverse incentives that don’t line up with yours. Always try to be sure that yours is exclusive.