Buying your first home is one of the most exciting times in your life, but that does not mean that it can’t be stressful. A home is a significant investment, perhaps the biggest you will ever make, so it’s not good to leave your search up to chance. Sure, apps like Zillow, Redfin, and Trulia are great to rule some homes in and others out, but finding top real estate agents in Summerville, SC is more important than you might realize. The internet can lead you to water, but they can’t negotiate you getting a sip of it! These are five qualities to look for when choosing how you trust to guide the way.
Knowledge
Real estate is a tough market. The key is to find someone who is not only knowledgeable about the Summerville area but also, someone who has deep roots and ties to the community. The best agents will know all those little hidden secrets that outsiders will not. And they can more easily match what you are looking for with the areas that they are highly familiar with. If an agent doesn’t live in the community itself or is not passionate about it, then they will likely not know all the little competitive edges that those of us who do.
Experience
Real estate might seem pretty straightforward, you find a house, you buy a house. But there are so many different revolving pieces behind the scene that it can become overwhelming. Find a realtor who has been around the block, no pun intended, so that they can handle all the little hiccups that can stump those without experience and lead to you losing a deal. Or, worse yet, make the home buying process stressful and tense. From mortgage questions to school district specifications, a realtor with experience can navigate it all!
Personality
Buying or selling a home can be very stressful, and when things get heated, you want someone on your side who you can relate to and communicate with. Your real estate agent is just like any other professional; they all handle situations differently. If you are more of an aggressive buyer, find someone who is competitive and doesn’t mind digging in their heels and hitting the pavement. If you are more casually looking, try to look for an agent who has a more laid-back demeanor. The key to your home buying experience is going to be in getting along with your agent because you might be spending a whole lot of time together!
Relationships
Sometimes it is not what you know, rather who you know. When a real estate agent has relationships with the community, they are likely to find out about listings before others. Why is that important? The competitive nature of the real estate market, right now, has homes granted offers minutes after they are listed. It is frustrating to always be a day late and a dollar short. A realtor who has close ties to the community might be able to get a jump on leads ahead of time.
Responsiveness
It is hard to operate fully in the real estate industry when it is a hobby or a part-time job. In slower markets when things aren’t going quickly, having the luxury of time might be a thing, but right now, it is not. If you want to see a house after-hours, on weekends, or last minute, you want an agent who is responsive and available. Sure, not everyone can work around the clock, but an excellent realtor will have a backup plan to get you in, even if they can’t be in, by having connections that can fill in at a moment’s notice.
Although people assume that real estate agents are nothing but a conduit to the new apps out there to sift through homes, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. The quality of the real estate professional that you chose is relative to finding the home of your dreams and securing it. At Sea Turtle Properties, we have top real estate agents in Summerville, SC who are not only excellent at what they do; they are passionate about it too! Contact us today if you are ready to begin your new home search.