How to Choose a Realtor
Selling your house on the real estate market can be a daunting task. You’ll have to compete with hundreds of homeowners, talk with dozens of potential buyers, and spend a fortune in marketing. And that’s before you make your first sale.
It’s often much easier and more convenient to get the services of a realtor. They usually have a wealth of experience and plenty connections to get you the best deal for your house.
Realtors aren’t created equally, though, so choosing a realtor isn’t always a straightforward process. To help you out, here are some tips for choosing a real estate agent that’s the best fit.
Tips for How to Choose a Realtor
Research the Local Housing Market
Here’s how to pick a realtor on the best footing possible: begin with research. When choosing a good real estate agent, nothing beats researching the local housing market yourself.
Try walking around your area, and you'll inevitably see realtor names plastered in signs. Since agents put their names on properties they have sold, seeing the same names over and over again is a good indication of performance.
You can also observe realtors in their natural habitat—open houses!
If they’re in the process of touring buyers around the property, even better. You can get a sense of how they handle themselves and interact with people. Afterward, be sure to approach the agent and talk to them. You’ll often learn a lot more about their personality this way. Don’t forget to grab their business card!
Screen Realtors Online
Good Realtors will have some sort of presence online. At the minimum, they will have a professional Facebook page set up. Some will have an excellent website, while others are part of a larger real estate firm.
You can search for agents online by looking for reviews from other people. Are they mostly positive or negative? If they have negative reviews, it’s much more important to see how they handled it. If they addressed the complaint professionally, chances are that’s how they are in person.
Referrals are Best
They say that demonstration is the best form of social proof. There's no better way to demonstrate how excellent a realtor is than with referrals from their past clients. A recommendation from a happy customer is a good indication that you’ll get the same experience yourself.
Here’s how to choose a real estate agent for selling: ask other homeowners in your area. Chances are, there’s already a handful of agents serving that neighborhood and these homeowners can recommend you to a few of them.
Meet with Multiple Realtors
When choosing a realtor, you should treat it like a boss hiring the perfect employee. That means you need to have a pool of candidates you can choose from to give you the best range of options. Based on your research, select the three best candidates based on reputation and chemistry.
But how should you select a realtor from this list? The best way is with an interview, and the key to a successful interview is to ask the right questions. Ask them about their track record, their specialization, and their selling strategy. Most importantly, you need to ask them how they plan to sell your home.
This step alone will tell you a lot, and you'll usually be able to hone in on a candidate pretty quickly. If not, trust your gut—it's often right!
Look for Someone Realistic
Real estate agents, like other salespeople, are notorious for using fluffy words and exaggerations to persuade someone to buy or sell. While this is the mental picture most of us have of realtors, it's actually the wrong way to sell.
The person you’re looking for is someone who’s honest about the entire buying or selling process. They should tell it to you straight with honesty. Whenever they have a claim, they should be able to back it up with data and statistics.
Honesty is vital in this profession because it's the only way you can be prepared for the risks. An excellent realtor will frame your assumptions with realistic expectations..
Track Record and Soft Skills
How can you choose a realtor quickly and easily? Simply take a look at their track record. Realtors live and die by their results, and it’s a useful shorthand for telling you how good they are.
The fact is that it takes a while to build up a respectable inventory of successful transactions for a realtor. The more houses an agent has sold, the more mistakes he or she has made. The more mistakes they have made, the more experienced they have gained. This translates to a better deal for you.
You can also check a realtor’s soft skills: quick thinking, negotiation, and people skills are prime examples. You want someone who can effectively communicate on your behalf and can think on their feet to answer pressing questions from buyers effectively. Most of all, you want an aggressive negotiator, but one’s who’s still grounded with sound principles.
Be Open with Your Realtor
How to choose a realtor with proper expectations set before beginning the selling process? Be open with them. Be clear with them from the very beginning about your expectations and goals. Layout how much you want to sell your house for, and if you have a strict timeline you need to follow. Tell them if you don’t want to do open houses often, or if you'd prefer a different strategy altogether.
You also need to discuss modes of communication. Do you plan to message them daily and expect quick responses? Do you want to communicate through text messages, but they're more of a phone person? Set the groundwork on how you'll communicate with each other, it will pay dividends for you throughout the process.
If you did your homework and found a respectable realtor, then they can tell you if what you want is a good fit for them.
What Not to Look for in a Realtor
Don’t Pick a Realtor with the Highest Selling Price Claims
When picking a real estate agent, don’t always go for the one who claims he or she can sell your property for the highest price. Sounds counterintuitive, doesn't it? After all, why wouldn’t you want the maximum profit from your house?
The answer is that no one can accurately tell how much your property will sell for since it ultimately depends on the buyer. An agent who gives you such a promise is either lying or bloating facts. When you encounter such a realtor, be sure to ask them for data to back up their claims. If he or she doesn’t even know the average or historical selling price of properties in the area, stay away.
Selecting a real estate agent that gives you a price range (and can back that up with information and statistics) is your best strategy for success.
Don’t Pick a Realtor with the Lowest Commissions
At first glance, this seems like another piece of counterintuitive advice. Isn’t lowering commissions and maximizing profit the goal here?
Perhaps, but you need to be careful when choosing a real estate agent with the lowest commissions. First, think about why they have such low rates. Maybe they're not as experienced, so they need to compete based on low prices. Or, they might be inexpensive because they're not willing to give their full service.
The truth is that agents with big commissions are generally the ones with the best track record. They often have the vast network, experience, and skills necessary to find you the best buyer with the most significant profit. Most of the time, that’s enough to justify their higher rates.
Whatever the case, know what you’re getting into. While it’s not always applicable, working with someone under-qualified can hurt your profits when selling your home..
Consider Alternatives Like House Buyers of America
Realtors aren't the be-all and end-all when it comes to helping you sell your home. There are plenty of other options, such as property listing websites and online selling platforms.
But one of the best options is selling your house directly to a house buyer, such as House Buyers of America. The significant advantage is that you can sell your house fast and hassle-free without having to pay the massive commissions that most realtors charge. You also don't need to wait weeks or months to find a buyer. We buy houses for cash and you'll get paid in a matter of days.
We buy your home as-is, meaning you don't need to worry about its condition. You'll always get a fair, competitive price from us. If you want to try something innovative and sell your home without the traditional realtor, House Buyers of America is your answer.
Here’s the bottom line: realtors might be the traditional way to sell, but they may not be the best way. House Buyers of America offers a faster alternative by helping homeowners sell a house for cash. Start now and get your fair cash offer in 10 minutes!
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Sell your home directly to House Buyers of America and can skip all the hassle and months of uncertainty. Simply enter your address – and get our offer with a few simple steps.
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Ways to Sell Your House Fast For countless homeowners, the thought of selling a house as is can be a daunting challenge. One often imagines the leisure to smoothly navigate through the home-selling journey. However, as elaborated below, life throws curveballs like: Job transfers Growing families A sudden demise in the family Financial tight spots Divorce upheavals Relocating for fresh job prospects Mounting maintenance costs Such pivotal moments demand rapid action. That's where homeowners prioritize locking in the sale of their houses swiftly. Trusted partners like House Buyers of America have an upper hand with their comprehensive resources, ensuring homeowners receive competitive, fair cash offers and fast house sales in their tight schedules. Why "Sell My House Fast For Cash" Could Be Your Answer Ever stood in your living room pondering, "Can I sell my home for cash?" Many find the start of the selling journey mystifying. 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Downsizing for Simplicity: Life stages shift, and a desire to minimize arises. If you're resonating with the "I need to sell my house fast for simplicity's sake" sentiment, know that the condition of your home isn't a deterrent. House Buyers of America promises a quote in just ten minutes. If you've found your next nest, it's wise to seal the deal on your current residence and avoid financial strains. House Buyers of America is your ally in such ventures. Related: Selling An Inherited House What to Consider Before Selling Your House for Cash Any house sale mandates due diligence. To optimize your outcome, being informed is key. At House Buyers of America, we always advise our clientele to weigh these factors before settling for a cash buyer: Time Constraints: Situations like job relocations, unexpected inheritances, or pending divorces vary in urgency. Depending on market dynamics and the state of your home, the sale might be instant or prolonged. For those seeking an assured quick sale, a cash offer might be the golden ticket. How Much Work is Needed to Sell There’s a lot of preparation that goes into selling a home the traditional way with a real estate agent. There’s packing, renovating, fixing up the house, listing photoshoots, home staging, and open houses—the list goes on. The only way to avoid these obligations is to opt for a “sell house for cash” program. These programs, like the one we offer at House Buyers of America, provide you with a fair cash offer based on the current condition of your home—no cleaning or prep work required. We work with you every step of the way based on your unique selling situation. Who Cash Home Buyer Programs Are Right For If you want a simple and hassle-free home sale, selling a house to a cash buyer might be your best available option. House Buyers of America is here to help sellers in those situations. We offer a competitive sales price for your house AS IS, no matter its condition, saving you the time and stress that would have gone into trying to sell on the market. So, what’s the benefit? A qualified company that buys houses for cash, like House Buyers of America, has the funds to make the purchase. You also get a guarantee that the sale will go through. That's never the case with selling a house to a high-tech real estate cash buyer like House Buyers of America. Also, when you sell your home fast to a cash buyer, you know they can process the payment much more quickly because they aren’t relying on lenders or third parties. This means that your house is sold fast, and you're free to move on to your next place. Of course, while working with an iBuyer is usually the best way to sell your home quickly (for cash or otherwise), there are still several other options that might be worth exploring: Related: The Top 6 Reasons You Should Sell Your House “As Is” For Sale by Owner (FSBO) Listing This method allows homeowners to bypass real estate agents. However, the onus of managing paperwork and attracting buyers falls squarely on the homeowner. This route can often be more time-consuming than anticipated, especially if the market is slow. Real Estate Listing This method has its merits, but the time and effort involved in maintaining the house for viewings, alongside agent commission fees, can make it less appealing for those wanting to Sell Your House Fast. Doing “Whatever It Takes” Selling a house requires effort, whether you're working with an agent, promoting it on social media, or hosting open houses. But remember, more effort doesn't guarantee a faster sale. The below statistics demonstrate why this is the case: The entire length of time it takes to sell a home is more than just the number of days your house is on the market. Before your house can be listed for sale, you must do your research to ensure selling your house is the right decision and also find contractors. That takes time. 86% of home buyers finance their homes, meaning they must wait for their mortgage loan to be approved before finalizing a purchase. That adds additional time to the closing process. It takes 30 days, on average, for a mortgage to be approved, and 50 days for the sale of a house to be completed (from initial offer to closing). On top of that, if the house needs a lot of work and the buyer is getting a construction loan—like an FHA 203K loan—you can expect another 90 to 120 days for that to be approved. Why The Traditional Route Might Not Be Fast Enough Traditional house selling methods often require time, sometimes stretching from 6 months to a year. This can be problematic for those seeking a rapid solution, making a "sell my house fast" approach a more appealing alternative. Our team at House Buyers of America is passionate about providing homeowners with a convenient and rapid-fast alternative that puts cash in their pockets sooner rather than later. House Buyers of America's Sell Your House Fast Process Have you ever thought, "I need to sell my house for cash now"? House Buyers of America's process is efficient and designed for speed. This approach is particularly beneficial for those eager to progress to their next life phase without the added stress of a prolonged selling process. The Experience of Selling Your House to House Buyers of America When you work with House Buyers of America, you're working with a seasoned, reputable company. With their history of buying thousands of homes since 2001, their process is streamlined, efficient, and trustworthy. 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Making the Right Choice for Your Needs While traditional methods might work for some, many find the efficiency and ease of a "sell house for cash" approach preferable. If a hassle-free, swift sale is what you're after, House Buyers of America might be your ideal choice. FAQ Why might someone want to sell their house swiftly? Reasons vary, from job relocations to financial challenges or even unexpected property inheritances. Is selling my house for cash a reliable option? Yes, especially when you want to sell your house fast without the regular market uncertainties. What advantages do iBuyers like House Buyers of America offer? They provide a streamlined process, no realtor commissions, and swift cash offers, among other benefits. Does the condition of my home affect the cash sale? Not with entities like House Buyers of America, as they offer to buy homes "as is." How long does it take to get a cash offer for my house? With House Buyers of America, you can get an offer in as quick as 10 minutes. Is it wise to downsize my home? It's a personal decision, often influenced by lifestyle changes, desires for simplicity, or financial considerations. What should I consider before selling my house for cash? You should assess your time constraints, the current market, your home's condition, and the reliability of your chosen cash buyer. Can I sell an inherited house for cash? Absolutely. Many opt for this to avoid the responsibilities and potential repairs of an inherited property Get Started Today There is simply no other method of selling a home that is this stress-free. We look forward to helping you sell your house as fast as possible. There’s a reason why we have so many five-star reviews—our process simply works. If you’re ready to get started on the process of selling your house fast, the quickest way to do so will be by filling out our online form or calling us at 855-336-7167. After you answer just a few questions, you’ll have the option to accept a fair cash offer, sign a sales agreement, and close the deal. We know it’s hard to believe, but really, that’s it! Sell Home Fast and Fast House Buying House Buyers of America is one of the leading services for people looking for companies promising a cash offer for their homes in Maryland. Are you looking to sell your home? Do you want your home bought now? Rely on House Buyers of America to buy your house fast, AS IS for cash without the hassle of commissions or a lengthy sales process. If you need more convincing, check out these customer sold homes stories. Call us now at 855-336-7167 or fill out our online form to get a cash offer in 10 minutes! Cities and Counties in Maryland Where We Buy Houses Aberdeen Adelphi Annapolis Baltimore Bel-Air Beltsville Bowie Burtonsville Bushwood Catonsville Chesapeake Beach Chevy Chase Chillum Clinton Colesville College Park Columbia Crofton Darnestown Edgewater Eldersburg Elkton Essex Fells Point Fort Washington Frederick Gaithersburg Glen Burnie Greenbelt Gwynn Oak Halethorpe Havre De Grace Hyattsville Indian Head Lanham Leonardtown Lexington Park Lochearn Marlow Heights Mechanicsville Milford Mill Monkton Monrovia Montgomery County Mount Rainier Nanjemoy Olney Oxon Hill Pikesville Potomac Prince George's County Randallstown Rockville Rosedale Walkersville West River White Plains And more! We’ve worked hard to establish the best platform for quickly selling your home in Maryland. With our “We Buy Maryland Houses” program, you can quickly get your home off your hands, all for a very fair price. We’d love to chat more about finding ways to sell your Maryland property and help you achieve your long-term financial goals. Why You Should Use House Buyers of America Selling a house is stressful enough, even if you live in a very competitive state for housing like Maryland. When you add in the trials of trying to sell your house during a personal financial emergency or the emotions of an estate sale, it can be overwhelming. Let House Buyers of America buy your house; as suggested, we buy houses in Maryland and we put a lot of pride into our work. Here are just a few ways House Buyers of America can make a real difference: No Commission Yes, you read that right. House Buyers of America takes no commission when buying your home. This frees up at least 6% in the value of your home, significant savings that you can apply to your next home. With Maryland’s high real estate values, that means you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars. With no commissions, you can be assured that you get a fair price for your home. Related: Three Tips to Sell Your House Fast for Cash Fast House Buying House Buyers of America promises to get you an offer within 10 minutes over the phone. It doesn’t matter if you are trying to sell a home in Maryland, Virginia, D.C., or any of our other markets. That means no more waiting on real estate agents to list your home and then receiving an offer from a potential buyer in weeks or months. Close in as Little as 7 Days Some companies will tell you “We buy Maryland houses in 7 days,” but they don’t have adequate capital or a fully staffed office to accomplish this. House Buyers of America’s goal is to buy houses in Maryland in as little as 7 days because we try hard to ensure we buy it as quickly as possible. We have plenty of capital—enough to buy many more houses than we’re buying now. Plus, we have a fully staffed office ready to handle any new deals. Our commitment to a speedy sale is a hallmark of House Buyers of America. Any Condition, AS IS This is not a gimmick. We buy houses AS IS in Maryland, in any condition—from a tear-down to relatively new houses. Whether it needs tons of repairs or no repairs at all, our purchases are not made based on the condition of the home. Our offers are made in cash for any condition and on an AS IS basis. When Should You Use House Buyers of America? Clients of House Buyers of America range across demographics, ages, and financial situations. We help make it possible for Maryland homeowners to achieve their financial dreams. As a result, there are certain reasons why our customers tell us why they sell their houses to us. Job Transfer Did you just get a promotion that requires you to relocate? Or maybe your local office is closing down and you have to relocate to another city quickly in order to keep your job. Whatever your job transfer needs are, we offer cash for your home and we can close quickly. Buying a New House Perhaps the thought of juggling the sale of your current home and purchasing a new one at the same time in the same local market might be creating a lot of stress. Have you considered having to have your home staged and then factor in coordinating where to live after you sell? What should you do? Put a home sale contingency in an offer to purchase a new house and risk making your offer much less competitive. Or should you buy a house first and then risk not being able to sell your current house, leaving you stuck with two mortgages? This is the age-old real estate dilemma. If you’re in this situation, you’ve come to the right place! With House Buyers of America, you get a guaranteed sale of your house and we’re flexible on the closing date (and no closing costs). After the purchase agreement is signed, your home sale is covered and you can start looking for a new home without worrying about selling your existing home. Divorce Divorce can be a huge disruptor, emotionally and financially. In most cases, the divorced couple needs to sell their house fast so they can divvy up the assets and make a clean break. Many in a divorce situation look for a “sell my house fast Maryland” company so they can sell their house without having to go through the arduous process of a traditional sale. Finding a real estate agent, renovating, cleaning, and staging the house, agreeing on a list price, negotiating the terms of the contract, etc. This is normally a stressful enough task, but if you add divorce into the mix, it feels impossible. Why not pick up the phone and get an offer in 10 minutes? Or simply fill out our online form and get an offer quickly. No need to renovate, stage, select a Realtor, and deal with people traipsing through your house and losing all of your privacy for 6-12 months. Real solutions are well within reach. There is an alternative: House Buyers of America! Financial Distress Are you in a financial bind with thousands of dollars locked away in your home? Most people do not realize they can directly access the accumulated equity of their home in their hands in as little as 7 days until they contact House Buyers of America. We offer fair prices for when you need an immediate cash infusion to stave off foreclosure, bankruptcy, or whatever life throws at you. Medical Emergency, Retired, Downsizing Some of our clients are elderly and have stayed in their homes for years, but have stumbled into a medical emergency and need the equity in their homes to pay for hospital bills. When this is the case, whether you are a homeowner or a care provider, you might need to sell your Maryland home quite quickly. Others simply want a hassle-free solution for downsizing into a smaller home and want equity in their legacy home. Estate Sales House Buyers of America have also helped thousands of people who have suddenly inherited an unwanted or unneeded property. When dealing with an estate, many heirs can’t decide or agree on when to sell the house or who will take care of the paperwork, so the house is left sitting vacant and deteriorating for months or years. Estate sales can bring out the worst in people and families often get torn apart in the process. The traditional real estate process can be complicated and often doesn’t work well for estate sales. The unique estate laws that apply in Maryland can also create some additional complications. So why not try a simple, fast, and hassle-free solution that all of your family members can agree on? Get an all-cash offer in as little as 10 minutes by contacting House Buyers of America. A Fresh Start We’ve talked about several reasons you might want to sell your Maryland house to a cash buyer. Then there are those unfortunate circumstances in life that require a complete and total liquidation of your assets when you need a speedy exit from your current home and town. By getting an all-cash, guaranteed offer from House Buyers of America and getting your house sold in as little as 7 days, you get that fresh start without waiting. That’s why we continue to be the choice of people looking to “sell house fast in Maryland,” as well as other nearby states.