If you are looking to buy or sell San Pedro real estate, you will probably want to enlist a realtor. While it might be tempting to try to save money and go it alone, real estate laws can be confusing and you might wind up paying more in the long run if you make a mistake. A good realtor will be able to help guide you through that and put more money back into your bank account.
But what does a good realtor look like? We are here to help you with some things that you should be looking for when searching for one.
They Should Know The Local Market Very Well
This may seem like a given, but it’s not always. You want a realtor who has seen homes sell in the area that you either want to buy or sell in. That way, they have seen what prices these places tend to fetch.
You also want to get a realtor who knows what the market is for investment properties if that is what you want to buy or sell. Same goes if you intend to enter the market as a landlord or a “buy/flip” scenario.
They Should Have Excellent References
Before you start looking online for a realtor, you should look at your own inner circle. Ask around – your friends, family members, or even co-workers might have someone in mind. It never hurts to ask.
You just need to ask people whose opinion you trust. They are putting their own reputation on the line by recommending this realtor. So consider that and you can always research the person they suggest, too.
Their Fees Are Reasonable
While this is a business and realtors need to make money to live off of too, they need to set fees that are fair for buyers or sellers. Talk with your realtor especially if they want a commission that is higher than 5-6% and see if you can get it lower. If it is a lot higher than that, see what you are getting from them that another realtor wouldn’t offer.
The realtor wants to make the sale and they should be amenable to negotiation. Again, this also boils down to their meeting the above criteria.
When you find a great realtor, it can be a fruitful partnership for both of you. By doing the above, you will be in a good position to know that you have brought the correct realtor aboard.