Did you know that there are over 17000 agents as of 2021? That means you can easily find one if you want to. But finding an agent is not an issue.
The real issue is can you find a good one. Where are they? How can you get to them? This article covers those points to help you easily find a real estate representative for any of your needs.
With that said, here are a few tips for moving to Denver and finding a great deal on the houses there.
Qualities of a great real estate agent
Before getting to the “how” question, it is important to understand the “what”. Here are a few qualities you should look out for to separate the wheat from the chaff when selecting who to work with:
- Relevant education skills and experience
A good realtor is well educated, is skilled and has some depth of experience in the field. Education is necessary to ascertain that they have been properly trained to handle the market, and everything it comes with.
Experience, on the other helps to show that they have had an opportunity to test their knowledge.
You can easily get proof of that by looking at their educational qualifications. Good ones may have a number of certifications and accreditation. A great way to ascertain the level of experience of an agency is through the number of years it has been in operation.
- Honesty and Integrity
Real estate transactions are usually a sensitive matter involving a lot of money. Slight mishaps in the process can lead to someone losing their life savings.
As such, working with an agency with the values of honesty and integrity goes a long way.
An honest agent assures you that everything they tell you about a property is true. They will not use any sly tricks or lies just to close a sale or contract.
- Attention to detail
A good agency has employees who pay very keen attention to detail. This way, you are guaranteed that no part of your needs is overlooked.
While this quality is difficult to proof before establishing a relationship, you may need to do that. You can assess this by checking in with their previous clients.
You can also do that by pointing out a minor detail, something easy to forget, during your initial contact call, then subtly inquiring about it during the first meeting to see if it will be overlooked.
- Has good problem-solving skills
The real estate industry can sometimes be quite complex, posing numerous challenges. Therefore, it would be best to have a partner that thinks on their feet and is quick to offer solutions.
You may ask random questions to assess this. Their responses will usually guide you. For example, you may ask questions regarding what would happen if certain deliverables changed. You may also pose a hypothetical problem and see whether they’ll come up with a solution.
- Is a good negotiator
A good agency should have representatives that possess good negotiation skills. The nature of the business is sometimes multi-transactional and involves a lot of money, for example on commissions, listing and selling prices.
Having a good negotiator, regardless of whichever side of the bargain you stand on, might save or earn you a lot of money. See this link to read more on the qualities of a good agent https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesrealestatecouncil/2020/08/04/16-essential-personality-traits-for-real-estate-agents/?sh=656e091d7b96
Finding a Good Agency
The process of finding an excellent real estate agency is not a one-way route. You may need to employ different approaches at the same time. That said, here are the ways to get started looking for one:
- Conduct proper planning
They say when you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Adequate prior planning is the key to successfully finding a good company. One important thing to do at this stage is research. Some of the things to research on include:
- Your needs
- The type of agents in your area
- Your lender’s opinion
Proper research and planning will help map out your steps going forward, making the rest of the process easier.
- Ask within your network
Referrals are one of the best ways buyers and sellers find each other. You can find an agency for you by asking your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and people you trust.
It will even be better if you ask those with buyer characteristics like yours, for example one that used a mortgage if you also intend to use one.
After asking around, come up with a list with the most suitable candidates for you and proceed to establish contact to find out more.
- Search online
In this age of the internet, nearly over half of the purchase decisions are influenced by search in one way or another. In your search for an agent in Denver, you can do the same. Use keywords that are specific as possible to narrow down your results.
Apart from search engines, you may also browse through listings online. Like from your referrals, create a list of your most promising prospects, and reach out to them.
- Talk to industry partners
The real estate industry is broad with various players. When finding an agency directly is difficult, you may approach other industry partners for assistance. They will, in turn, connect you to companies within their network or databases. Some of the partners you may go to include mortgage lenders and housing companies.
- Open houses, neighborhood signs and print advertisements
Want to know the easiest way to find agencies? To go directly to their work. You can do this by going to open houses for new buildings.
For sale signs in neighborhood houses will also lead you straight to an agency. Print advertisements such as newspapers or magazines also may contain listings on properties for sale which can lead to finding agents. Click here for more tips you could use when looking for a real estate agent.
Conclusion
Finding a good agent among the many in Denver can feel like a difficult task. Well, it is, but the points in this article make the process a bit easier. Remember to use written lists at every stage in the search. It would also help if you interviewed a number of agencies before making your final decision. Lastly, always ensure you read and understand all the terms of the contract between you and the agency.
