How to Find the Very Best Buyer’s Agent

Love Buying A Home Series: Everything You Didn’t Know You Needed To Know About Buying Your First Home

This step-by-step series will take you through the entire home-buying process — from finding the buyer’s agent to help you through settlement day, and even to maintaining your home after you’re all moved in. This series is jam-packed with information that’s easy to follow and understand. Make sure you stay tuned throughout the entire series!

The first item on the agenda when you’re looking to buy a home is to choose a real estate agent that is the best person to represent you, and also someone that can help you through every single one of the many steps in buying a home.  

You will be spending a lot of time with this person, so make sure it’s someone that’s right for you and your specific home buying needs and goals. 

Keep these 10 factors in mind when you start considering which agent to work with to buy your first home: 

1. Recommended by friends, family, and co-workers.

They’ll give you honest, unfiltered feedback on what they went through and if they’d go with the same agent again (a key sign!). After you get your tribe’s feedback, check out an agent’s website to see if they are still active and also passionate about working with buyers like you. 

Some agents focus on a particular price range (such as the luxury or high-end market) or neighborhoods, so even a great agent for your friend may not work for you because of your different needs and budget. 

Remember, you don’t have to go with the first agent you meet.  Just like when you choose a doctor or other important advisors in your life, you want to check around first and see if this is the best choice for you, your goals, and your vibes.

2. Specializes in the type of home, area and/or the type of buyer that corresponds to your goals.

It’s better to narrow down your search to real estate agents whose expertise matches your criteria. If you’re a first-time buyer, then agents who deal with first-timers all the time know how to provide more guidance (lots more hand-holding!) and keep up-to-date on assistance programs just for that market. 

If you’re a condo buyer, then an agent specializing in condos knows the intricacies of dealing with this type of purchase and condo associations.  Whatever it is you are looking to buy, just make sure your agent is experienced in that particular segment of the market.

3. Makes you comfortable.

The vibes have to vibe.  Your gut will tell you if this is someone you can work through the ups and downs that buying a home will take you through.  Make sure you feel at ease when asking any questions or expressing your concerns. You’re going to have a working relationship with this person and it will be stressful and exhausting at times.  Be sure you feel like they are on your side and have your back.   

Work with an agent who can reduce the tension, has a sense of humor at the right times, and doesn’t scare you even if buying a home is a scary endeavor for you. Think of your real estate agent as your buying a home coach (and sometimes therapist and sometimes cheerleader and all the other things you might need along the way!).

4. Takes the time to listen to you in order to help you realize your needs and wants.

You should never be forced or feel like you’re being rushed into anything at any time during your home buying process.  A good agent has the skills to help you realize what you need and want by asking you questions and listening to your answers. Questions ranging from, “Do you want to walk or bike to work?,” “Do you want a large yard or green space nearby,” and “how long do you plan on living in this first home” will help you uncover your wants and needs. 

This process can take time and you’re allowed to change your mind at any time. Taking time to do this inquiry is an important step before you even start visiting homes. An agent who has your best interests at heart will know that you’re not looking for just a house or a condo but a place where you can create that feeling of home.  And most importantly, focus on finding the right home for YOU, no matter how “picky” you might think your criteria is (it’s not!).

5. Respects your time AND your timetable.

Your agent knows you’re busy so it’s important they are organized and efficient when it comes to house hunting. They should ask you what days and times work best with your schedule and they should be sending you homes to see based on your conversations and feedback. 

Even more importantly, your agent shouldn’t rush you if you’re not ready to buy (especially if you think you want more time to explore a neighborhood, etc.) or just get cold feet (that’s okay!). But a good agent also knows when you’re ready for that nudge forward if the market dictates quicker decision making.

6. Communicates clearly and regularly.

Make sure your agent is easily reached via cell phone, text, or email; and gets back to you in a timely manner. And, on the flip side, that the agent keeps in touch with you on a regular basis with updates on listings and other information on your home search. 

A good agent will communicate and guide you step-by-step along the way when buying a home, from getting a mortgage to the final closing. Always being one step ahead of you, giving you explanations on what’s coming up next without overwhelming you.  You should feel “in the know” and like your agent is helping to decrease anxiety and stress you may be having by informing you and preparing you at each step. Find out an agent’s communication style from start to finish in the home buying process.

7. Negotiates well and has your back at all times.

Buying a home is a business transaction and your friendly agent also needs to be able to muster their fierce negotiation skills that will benefit you and your offer. The entire transaction should ultimately be a win-win for both the buyers and sellers (you never want to play dirty!) but a good agent knows when to be assertive in order to get the deal done. 

Find out more about your agent’s past experiences and tactics at the negotiating table, especially when dealing with multiple offers.

8. Knows the local market inside and out.

Go with an agent who really knows the local market in terms of inventory and pricing, the difference between neighborhoods, and stays on top of listings and off-market opportunities so you can jump in before the crowd. Some agents are more attuned to what’s going on and this can be a big plus especially when homes are selling fast. 

Also your agent should have a network of other reliable professionals, such as mortgage lender, home inspector, title company, etc., that you may need along the way. Your agent should be suggesting them to you, and not you to them.

9. Looks at real estate as a financial tool that can empower your life.

This will be one of the biggest purchases of your life and you don’t want to have any regrets. Your agent should truly understand how real estate can change your life for the better and see the possibility it has for your economic stability and security. 

A good agent knows that buying this first home can be a stepping stone for your next home and so on. Your agent should want you to dream big, but still help you find ways to stay on budget.

10. Never says good-bye.

Your agent shouldn’t view this one purchase as the end of your relationship but just the beginning — expect them to be there for you over the long-term and ready to work with you when it’s time to sell and move on. They should be someone you trust to turn to with any of your homeownership concerns – a real estate resource for life!

Keep coming back here each and every week to learn more about the home buying process and reach out to me [amanda@nestrealestatequeens.com] anytime with questions about how what you are learning applies to YOUR specific situation.  Just like every real estate agent is unique, so is every buyer and I’d love to help you apply what you are learning in this series to YOUR home buying plans.  Email me [amanda@nestrealestatequeens.com] and let’s schedule a time to talk.