How to choose a Real Estate agent

HOW TO CHOOSE A REAL ESTATE AGENT WHEN BUYING OUT OF STATE

Robert Langston

So you are contemplating buying real estate out of your state of residence and the process, the technicalities and the hours you have to put into it scares you off.

The truth is buying real estate, either physically or remotely, requires a whole lot of hard work. It becomes even more difficult to purchase a real estate property when you are not physically present to see the property yourself and make the property evaluation with your own eyes.

When you are buying out of state, you would have to depend wholly on your real estate agent to make the right decisions of evaluating the property, choosing a location etc. on your behalf. Because you would need to rely on someone else, you need to carefully choose who your agent would be as it must be someone with the same taste as you and a very professional agent.

Here, we highlight how you can choose a real estate agent that can help you buy an out of state property.

GET A BUYER’S AGENT

The first step into choosing a real estate agent that can help you successfully make an out of state purchase is to find a buyer’s agent. Many people tend to make the error of requesting for help from a listing agent who most likely represents the interest of a seller.

You shouldn’t make that error of finding a listing agent who has the aim of selling a

particular property at the highest possible price. Instead, contact a buyer’s agent who will have your interest in mind and would seek to act on your financial interest and negotiate on your behalf.

SEEK REFERRALS

It is not recommended to choose an agent that will represent you randomly. You should instead try to talk to your acquaintances (family, friends, colleagues) and a real estate agent in your community about your plans of purchasing an out of state property and your need for them to refer you a buyer’s agent with repute.

By seeking their inputs in this, they are likely to refer you to an agent with a high rate of success and someone they feel they can trust to represent your interests properly.

After gaining referrals, the next things would be for you to make your research on each agent; call them, email them, schedule meetings and talk about the plans you have got in mind. That way, you are able to choose from the plethora of options that you would be faced with.

After picking an agent, you would have to extend your research to the state, the locality, the weather, the crime rate, economic stability and other germane information. This information will better inform you of what you are doing as having an agent on the ground wouldn’t be enough reason for you not to have all of this information.

HIRE A RELOCATION EXPERT

If you plan to relocate from your current state to another, then you can as well hire a relocation expert who is going to have the job of helping you handle all issues that are related to you getting a place in your preferred state.

The good thing about a relocation expert is that they also would actively help you sell and close your current home and look for financing for your new home. Don’t forget that they would also arrange for packing and moving services that may be involved in your moving to the new state.

Reference:

https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-tips-for-buying-ahome-out-of-state-52650 https://www.quickenloans.com/blog/8-answers-tocommon-questions-when-relocating https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-buy-a-home-inanother-state-1798345