6 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Posted by John Griffith on October 11th, 2022

Whether buying or selling a home in Las Vegas, a real estate agent is valuable in helping you land a favorable real estate deal. A realtor can guide you through the process and help you in the following ways:

• Help you properly prepare the home for a sale
• List the house on the real estate market
• Help you stage and show the house
• Engage with potential qualified buyers
• Negotiate the terms and conditions of the sale
• Close the sale 

If you're a buyer and looking homes for sale in henderson nevada, an agent can search for the right properties based on your preferences and get you the house you want for a good price.  

As valuable as real estate agents are, you must ensure you find the right realtor for your situation. Remember, the best real estate agent is not always the most talented or connected. Instead, it's the one that meets your criteria. You can establish your criteria by asking these key questions below.

What Are Your Credentials?As a rule, do not work with anyone who claims to be a realtor but does not have the proper credentials. At a minimum, they must acquire a Nevada realtor license. The most qualified realtors also try to earn designations demonstrating their willingness to go above and beyond basic education requirements. Licensing and designations are not just symbols of knowledge. They demonstrate hard work and dedication to the profession.

1. What Is Your Experience?

The most skilled realtors are often the ones who have been around for a long time.  

• They understand the Las Vegas real estate market.
• They have an extensive business network with other real estate professionals.
• They've brokered and closed countless real estate deals.
• They are sensitive to the needs and concerns of buyers and sellers.
• They have successfully overcome challenges time and again.

A seasoned realtor can help you navigate the real estate process to avoid common pitfalls and get the best deal, whether you are a buyer or a seller.

1. Are You Online?

Before we dig into this next question, it's only fair to say that a realtor can be successful without a strong online presence. However, competing in the market is much harder without building a strong online profile. Plus, it's much easier to narrow your search for the ideal realtor online as a buyer or seller. If you decide to use the web to locate a realtor, there are endless resources to help you refine your search. 

• The realtor's website
• Social media business page
• Agent referral, marketplace, and listing sites
• Google reviews and customer review sites
• Better Business Bureau (BBB)

When going online to find an agent, look at customer reviews and ratings, agent portfolios or photo galleries, and the agent's website. See what past clients have to say about their experience with the agent.

1. How Long Does It Take to Help Someone Buy or Sell a House?

In some ways, this question is unfair. Numerous factors determine how long it takes to sell a house: the real estate market, competitive properties, the condition of the house, certain legalities, or whether the bank approves the loan request. However, some agents can broker real estate deals faster than others.  

It takes a seller an average of 60 to 90 days to prepare a house for a sale, find a buyer, and close the deal. It can take equally as long for a buyer to find a home and close a sale. So, you should expect a deal to happen within two to three months. If a realtor tells you it could take six months to a year to buy or sell a house - and that's their standard - you may want to look for another realtor.

1. What Are Your Fees?

Realtor fees are somewhat ambiguous and are just another term for realtor commissions. The idea behind a realtor commission is that it covers all the expenses that the realtor incurred to sell your house. The commissions also ensure that the realtor gets paid.  

What are realtor commissions? Most realtors tax five to six percent of the house's sale price. Remember that your agent is not the only one profiting from the sale. The other party's agent - buying or selling - also profits from the sale price. So, both agents split the profits.  

Here's an example: 

Home Sale Price:

0,000

Realtor Commission (six percent):

,000

Buyer Agent (50%):

,000

Seller Agent (50%):

,000

1. Have You Helped Buyers and Sellers in My Area

Las Vegas is a large city with multiple real estate markets spread out over a wide area. An agent selling in Summerlin may have little to no experience selling in Henderson. Each area of Las Vegas has its own characteristics and challenges, as well as property values. So, you’ll want to hire a realtor who regularly brokers deals in your area.  

Try to get referrals from previous clients in the area. You can also look for client reviews and ratings from buyers or sellers in the area online. A real estate agent has an informed and realistic insight into your real estate market. They understand the actual market value of properties based on years of experience doing business in your area.

Buy or Sell a House with John Griffith Real Estate Services

John Griffith Real Estate Services is a full-service real estate agency. Whether you are buying or selling a home, we can guide you through the process and help you land a deal that puts you on top. Schedule an appointment to meet with an agent online here. 

Originally Published on: https://www.johngriffithrealty.com/questions-to-ask-when-hiring-a-real-estate-agent