Choosing a real estate agent is like choosing a spouse. Make the right choice, and you’ll end up a very happy person when you buy or sell a home. Make the wrong choice, and you’ll end up with a lifelong commitment of financial difficulties, among other things. If you are one of the people who have experienced troubles with agents in the past, or are simply new at the business of finding and hiring one, then here are five things to remember when selecting such an agent:

Remember to ask people you know

Experience is the best teacher, and choosing a real estate agent is no exception. You can ask friends and family about their experiences in buying or selling a house, and you can get firsthand feedback about how their agent performed in this time. This information is a lot more reliable than depending on advertisements, especially since that person will have an unbiased opinion about the performance of the agent.

Remember to keep your cool

When you do meet face-to-face with a prospective agent, remember to play it cool. Don’t look desperate or ignorant, otherwise the agent will take full advantage of your situation to manipulate things to go his or her way. Study up, set your price limits and maintain a poker mentality during interviews. Smile a little, be friendly, but remember to keep your goals in mind at all times.

Remember to counter-interview the agent

When choosing a real estate agent, it is important to have a voice in the discussion. Agents are akin to salespersons, who will attempt to maneuver you into a position where the only answer you can reply is a ‘yes.’ In order to prevent this from happening, you have to ‘intimidate’ the agent by asking for his or her credentials, past clients, successful sales or buys and other information. This will force the agent to think twice about tricking you, since you are not an easy ‘mark,’ and will give you a level of professional respect.

Remember to find a ‘good’ agent

Choosing a real estate agent that is ‘good’ does not mean evaluating professional competence alone, but adding in your ability to connect with him or her on workable level as well. Squabbles and frequent arguments can turn the professional relationship sour, and you may find yourself with the short end of the stick if and when your agent decides to get some payback with you.

Remember the agent’s motive

Choosing a real estate agent does not mean you are choosing a friend. If there is one last thing that you must remember, it is that a real estate agent’s primary concern is to get a commission. While he or she may claim to work in your best interest, do not place too much trust to the point where you expose yourself to unnecessary financial and personal risk.

And there you have it, five essential things to remember when choosing a real estate agent. Keep them in mind, and you’ll be able to find the right agent without finding yourself getting conned into buying or selling when you don’t want to.

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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/choosing-a-real-estate-agent-five-things-to-remember-1003587.html

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