If you are preparing for a real estate transaction, you should know that there is a great benefit in hiring a real estate agent. Whether you’re buying or selling something, when you’re looking for a real estate agent, you obviously want to get in touch with the best one. Here we will give you a list of 5 steps that will help you choose an excellent real estate agent.

Talk to recent clients

When you contact real estate agents, ask them to provide you with a list of their recent clients and the properties they have listed and sold in the last year or two, with all the contact information.

Contact those customers and ask for their opinion. If you are selling, ask if the previous houses were similar to yours in terms of price, location and other relevant characteristics. A very good question for those recent clients is how long the houses were put on the market before they were sold.

License and accreditation

States throughout the country have boards that authorize and credit real estate agents in their performance. Take a look at your state’s regulatory agency to inquire about whether a potential agent has the appropriate license and whether he or she has any disciplinary action or the necessary accreditation. All that information can be published on the Internet.

Select an agent with the correct credentials

Real estate agents have different specialties as in any other career. Learn a little about the different areas in which real estate agents can perform:

  • ABR (Accredited Representative for Buyers): Completed additional education to represent buyers in transactions.
  • CRS (Certified Residential Specialist): Completed additional training in the management of residential real estate.

Investigate the agent’s experience

You can ask a potential real estate agent about your experience, and verify that information with a state real estate licensing authority that can tell you how long that agent has been working in the real estate market. It is important that you decide for someone who has between 3 and 5 years of experience working as a real estate agent.

Keep in mind that you are looking for someone who is actively engaged and can demonstrate knowledge of the area and properties of your range, so you can sell your house quickly and at a good price, or so you can buy the house you dream of. With your initial budget.