Hiring a real estate agent in Sacramento can be frustrating. So what are the steps to finding one you can trust?
Many large real estate brokers spend thousands of dollars each month to ensure that their agents are the most visible. But agents with the biggest marketing budget aren’t always the most qualified. You need someone who fits your exact needs, whether they have their face on a bus stop bench or not.
Let’s look at how to find a good real estate agent in Sacramento who can turn your home into a hot commodity.
[NOTE: If you need to sell your Sacramento house fast and can’t wait the 3-6 months it can take to sell a property on the open market, we may be able to help. We can make you an all-cash offer within 24 hours on your house in as-is condition. ]
Get Real Reviews
Online reviews of real estate agents are sometimes manipulated. What presents as an honest review may be a paid advertisement or something the agent penned on their own. It’s important to get honest reviews, and any reputable agent will be glad to provide you with recent clients.
You can also turn to Google. Just type “[name of agent] reviews” and see what pops up. If you see a bunch of bad reviews on websites like Yelp, see if the agent tried to engage with those negative reviewers online to resolve the situation.
Ask the Right Questions of Sacramento Real Estate Agents
Ask the agent (or better yet, his or her former clients) the following questions to gauge the agent’s ability to effectively represent you as a buyer or a seller:
- Was there any part of the process of buying or selling a home that clients were pleased or particularly displeased with?
- What was the asking price?
- What was the selling price?
- What properties have you worked with in my location?
- What about similarly sized properties?
It’s important to choose an agent who has experience working with homes similar to yours.
Check The Real Estate Agent’s Credentials
Check with California’s real estate regulatory authority to verify the agent’s licensing. While you’re on that website, you’re also often able to look into regulatory actions and complaints against the agent.
You should also ask the agent how long they’ve been buying and selling homes. If they’re representing an agency, ask how long they’ve been with that particular agency, and their history with other firms.
Ask How They Plan on Selling Your House
Sometimes the direct route is the best course of action. When you’re vetting real estate agents inSacramento, California, ask them what they can do that other agents can’t. Do they have more success in your neighborhood than the average agent? Do they have lots of connections with potential buyers who love your neck of the woods?
Look Beyond Low Commissions
If a real estate agent is earning 3% on a $100,000 sale, they’re earning $3,000 in fees. Commission fees add up — especially when you consider both the buying and selling agents want to collect their fair share. That being said, you may not want to flock to agents with a low commission charge. They may charge a low commission because they take on more clients at once — which means they’re less devoted to your needs.
The same goes for selling your house to a local real estate investor like California Family Homebuyers. The highest priced offer isn’t always the best. Look at the terms of the deal the house buyer offers you… and ensure they can close on-time. Every month that goes by costs you money (your mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.) to hold the property.
It’s important to avoid low-quality real estate agents. These could be rookies who will do anything to make their first sale (including leaving dollars on the table). A good real estate can make selling your home an extremely smooth experience, and will work in your best interest.
Above all, it’s important to choose a real estate agent in Sacramento that you can trust. Regular communication is extremely important when selling your home, as in many cases, a house represents the majority of your net worth. A good agent will be able to answer questions such as:
- How many inquiries have been made about my home?
- How many of these inquiries came from people likely to make a purchase (not just window shoppers)?
- What other properties in this neighborhood are for sale? What is the asking price of those homes?
If you need to sell your house fast… we’d love to make you an all-cash fair offer on your house.
We can make you a no-obligation offer in 24 hours or less and you can weigh that option against going with a real estate agent.
Just click the link below and fill out the short form on the next page to get the painless process rolling.