Best Real Estate Agent

When Selecting an Real Estate Agent, Saint Charles Remax Realtor, Kris Hanson, offers these great tips for selecting the perfect real estate agent for purchasing your next St Charles home.

Looking for the right St. Charles real estate agent is just as important as looking for the right home in St. Charles. It seems like everyone is a real estate agent nowadays. We believe that a full-time agent, who knows the area, knows how to negotiate, knows the contractual pitfalls, and all the details in between, can offer you the best chance at finding that great St. Charles home.

Real Estate Agent St. Charles

Look for these things when selecting an agent:

They educate you: A good agent should explain the buying process, the average time it takes to buy a home, how much you can expect to put down for a house, and should keep you informed every step of the way. Ask for a resume and how long they have been a listing agent and if they do this full-time.
They help you make good decisions: You should not have to know everything about the home buying process. Your agent needs to be there for questions and to inform you and offer advice on anything related to the industry.
They voluntarily limit themselves geographically: Good agents know that trying to be all things to all people doesn't work. Even though real estate laws are the same throughout your state, different areas within the state generally have radically different market conditions, local zoning ordinances, and building code restrictions.
They have contacts: Your agent should have some preferred partners who they do business with. People they know, respect, and trust. You don't have to work with an agent's contacts, but if they don't seem to know other people in the industry, this could mean trouble.
They answer the phone: Ever get that great recorded message that talks about how much the agent wants to talk to you. Then days later, you get a call while you are at work? Get an agent who gives you his mobile number, his office number, his shoe size and more. A good agent is available 24/7.

For more on selecting a good agent, read this article.

Real Estate Agent Intangibles

There are facts and figures you can check to see if you are getting the best agent, but then there is always the old standby—Do you like him?

Consider this after you have checked an agent's credentials:

Communication: Do you and the agent get along and communicate well? Remember, you might be seeing a lot of this person over the next 3 to 6 months.
Personality: Buying a home is stressful. Does you agent make this seem easy or crazy? Do you feel like you can count on this person?
Reputation: Your agent is representing you. You have your reputation to consider as well as that of the agent's. You need a competent professional.