Selling or buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions of a person’s life. Due to the complexity of these types of transactions, having expert help is the way to go. However, not all real estate agents are of equal caliber. In fact, working with an inexperienced agent could mean putting your finances and homeownership future in jeopardy. Realtors are also not one-size-fits-all. Each real estate agent comes with their own unique background and set of specialties. This is why people should treat choosing a real estate agent as a serious decision.

Are you feeling unsure about how to start your agent search? Here’s how to find the perfect realtor match for your specific home search needs.

Define your home search goals

Before you start looking for an agent, you must first identify the specific type of help you are looking for. Knowing your individual real estate needs and how to advocate for them will help you better narrow down top real estate agents that could be the right fit. 

Start by asking yourself: what type of buyer or seller are you? For example, are you buying a home for the first time, are you looking to downsize from your current house, or are you hoping to move up into a bigger or more expensive property? Your answer to this question will serve as an important starting point for finding a specialist in your particular type of move. Be sure to also tailor your search to as specific of a geographic area as possible. Looking for realtors in Virginia, for example, will yield copious results to weed through, whereas searching for realtors in Mclean, VA may be more manageable and fitting. 

The types of homes you are interested in looking at will also become useful. For instance, there are often different approaches realtors use toward more niche house types like condos, luxury homes, or new development properties. If you are looking to rent over buy, those nuances also matter to agents, as some do not facilitate many rentals. Finally, other key attributes about yourself will come into play. To ensure the most customized experience, disclose details like being a part of a military family that has PCS orders or specific VA loan needs.

Identify qualities you want in an agent

Once you have clearly outlined your needs, you will want to turn your attention to pinpointing qualities you are looking for in an ideal agent. These characteristics can include anything from their areas of expertise to aspects of their personality like their communication style or demeanor. We recommend that you make a list of essential realtor criteria to serve your bottom line. You may write that you want an assertive realtor who specializes in working with first-time home buyers and young families who are looking for homes in the Ballston area. Searching for an agent that checks these specific boxes will be a lot easier than blindly scanning the internet for “real estate agents near me.”

Questions to ask when vetting realtors

With your realtor criteria on hand, you can now dive into the process of vetting top real estate agents that are of interest to you. We recommend that you ask potential real estate agents questions like:

  • How long have you been in the business?
  • Do you work with both buyers and sellers?
  • What types of licenses or certifications do you have?
  • Can I expect to be working with just you individually or others?
  • How many homes on average do you sell each year?
  • What do you feel your specialties are?
  • What sets you apart from other agents in your area?
  • How would you describe your communication style?
  • What is your commission rate?
  • What are the next steps?

Vetting agents can feel daunting to navigate on your own. At the Keri Shull Team, we take the stress of matchmaking off of your plate. Based on a thorough initial conversation with a potential new client, our skilled client relations team pairs the client with the appropriate agent. They ensure this agent is a subject-matter expert in the area of the client’s interest. That way, the client is guaranteed the perfect fit. 

Additionally, as a top-selling mega team, according to RealTrends, clients can rest assured knowing that the Keri Shull Team is composed of seasoned agents who know how to close deals. In fact, in 2021, the Keri Shull Team helped over 1,100 families buy or sell a home. With the right agent by your side, you’ll have an abundance of knowledge, experience, and resources at your disposal to help you find the right home for the best possible price!

Are you interested in learning more about what sets our agents apart from other realtors in the DMV area and beyond? Read about our real estate agent training and continued education efforts.

The real estate market, especially in DC, Marland, and Virginia, is complex and competitive. Prepare yourself for success in your home search and gain priority access to off-market homes that you can’t find on Zillow or any other home search website by contacting the Keri Shull Team today.