Finding the Right Agent Tips for First-Time Homebuyers by allison caldwell
B
uying your first home can be a daunting task. Chances are you’re unlikely to stumble upon the perfect house for sale in the trendiest neighborhood at a price you can afford — and even if you did, it might not be the best investment. For first-time homebuyers especially, finding the right real estate agent to help you through the process is essential to finding the right home that fits your needs, wants and budget.
There are tried and true methods of discovery: asking friends and family members for referrals, scouring print ads or websites for neighborhood experts and customer testimonials, and attending open houses to meet and greet potential agents in person. Finding someone you can trust for good advice will save you lots of frustration and money down the road. Part of finding someone you can trust is finding someone who will show you homes in the areas you are interested in. Not all agents are experts in all parts of town. Look at the “for sale“ signs in the neighborhoods you are interested in: Are there a few agents’ names that keep popping up? They might specialize in that area, so find out what their reputation is. Here are some tips from industry insiders to help you find the right agent. Nick E. Kremydas CEO, South Carolina Realtors screaltors.org
“As the largest professional trade association in South
Carolina, we are committed to becoming the moving force in improving the quality of life in our state,“ says Nick Kremydas, CEO of South Carolina Realtors, which has more than 15,000 members statewide. “The two best resources on the web for consumers are realtor.com and houselogic. com. Realtor.com is the best place to search listings and find local realtors, and HouseLogic offers free information and tools from the National Association of Realtors to help consumers make smart and timely decisions.“ In deciding to work with an agent, Kremydas suggests asking certain questions: Does the agent have an active real estate license in good standing? To find out, check with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. Does the agent belong to a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and/or a reliable online homebuyer’s search service? These cooperative information networks provide descriptions of most of the houses for sale in a particular region. What real estate designations does the agent hold? ABR (accredited buyer’s representative), CRBsm (certified real estate broker manager), and CRS (certified residential specialist) are just a few of the value-added designations and certifications available to realtors. Which party is the agent representing, the buyer or the seller?
Quality homes at reasonable prices have drawn lots of first-time buyers to the Avenues area of Cayce in recent years. Photo by Katie English.
16
freetimes
“This discussion should occur early on, at first contact with the consumer,“ Kremydas says. You’re bound to have lots of questions when you’re buying a home, and a good realtor will know more than just house