LOCAL RECORDS OFFICE – If you are looking to sell your home or perhaps purchase a new one, then hiring a real estate agent is the right course of action. “While there are those who believe that they can find better homes or perhaps sell their own property and keep more money without one, a good real estate agent can sell your property faster and help you find a new home quicker than you can on your own” says, the pros at Local Records Office from southern California.

However, all of this is predicated on finding a good real estate agent who knows the community and has the knowledge, experience, and education needed to help you purchase or sell a home. Here are a few things you should look for when searching for a real estate agent.

Check the License of the Real Estate Agent

There are very few real estate agents who never had a license or no longer have a license that are still working in the field. However, it pays to be careful, so check with the regulatory body of your state to see which agents are properly licensed and if so, whether they have been subject to any complaints or disciplinary action.

Don’t Be Intimidated to Get Recommendations from Former Clients

The pros at “Local Records Office” say, “Many people find real estate agents through family and friends who have used their services before. However, you should go a step beyond and find others who have used their services”. This means asking the agent for their listed homes and sales over the past year who carry contact information. For those who have purchased homes, ask what the listing price was and then how much it sold. For sellers, ask about properties similar to yours so that you can see if they have the right type of experience.

Does the Real Estate Agent Have Any Recent Credentials and Awards?

Just as lawyers specialize in certain fields, so do real estate agents. You will need one that specializes in a field that buys or sells the type of property you own or are interested in purchasing. Some of the credentials include the following;

• Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR): Represents buyers in the transaction

• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS): Has additional training in residential real estate

• Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES): Works with those above the age of 50

In finding the right realtor, be sure to look carefully at their credentials. Also, if they have received any awards in the industry such as “Realtor of the Year” from a recognized source such as NAR for example, then they should be considered as well.

Ask About Houses in Your Neighborhood and the Neighborhood You Would Like to Move to

One simple way to find out how in-touch your real estate agent is in your community is asking them about the other homes available near where you live. For example, if a house has recently sold in your neighborhood, they should be able to provide a few details if they are familiar with the sale. Quite often, a sharp real estate agent will bring up properties that have sold near your home which lets you know just how in touch with the market they are currently.

Real Estate Agents Are People Like You and I

Real estate agents are not any different from you and I; the only difference is that they help homebuyers find houses. When hiring an agent talk to them like you’ve knowing them for years that way he or she will get comfortable and help you find the gems in the real estate market. The pros at Local Records Office say,

“When real estate agents find a home that is in a great location, affordable price and in amazing condition they want to sell it to someone who they like”

Befriending an agent is one of the best things you could do as a new homebuyer.

Good Real Estate Agents Don’t Always Work at Big Real Estate Companies

Not all great real estate agents work at big real estate offices; many of the best agents are employed at small companies who want to make a name for them. Don’t think because an agent works at a big chain agency like Century 21 they will find the best and affordable houses.

The hungriest and most ambitions real estate agents start from the bottom so don’t be hesitant to go to a local real estate office. Another upside of hiring an agent at a small office is the prices, even though many agents get commission they still have to pay the company. Smaller companies will require the agent to pay lower fees so he or she will charge you cheaper. An agent in a larger company will sometimes be forced to charge the homebuyer more money. Take a chance and hire the young agent.

From all this information, you should be able to find a good real estate agent that works for you.

To learn more about real estate and Local Records Office go to www.Local-Records-Office.biz