All of the signs are there: the U.S. housing market finally seems to be back on solid ground. As of May 2014, monthly housing starts were above one million. That’s only the fourth month in the last year that something so promising has happened. Of course, taken alone, housing starts make for a less than convincing argument for market recovery. However, other promising signs strengthen that argument. According to Business Insider, fewer young Americans are living with their parents now than have been for years, with many having the capital to move into their own homes after college. Things are indeed looking rosy.
Even so, you can’t just assume that a healthy market means finding a great deal on houses or condos for sale by owner. Just as before, you need to be smart when looking at real estate listings for rent or purchase. One of the smartest ways to approach your real estate search? Real estate realtors. With market knowledge and an encyclopedic understanding of the area you’re looking to buy a home in, real estate realtors are your best shot at finding a home at a price you love, assuming you know what to look for.
How to Find Real Estate Realtors to Help You Buy a Home
- Ask Each Real Estate Team for References
- Meet with Each Realtor to Understand Their Goals
- Look for a Realtor Specializing in What You Want
For Bank Rate, one of the best things you can do to ensure you only find a reliable realtor is to ask for references. Reputable realtors will have worked with many buyers in the preceding months, and they won’t mind putting you in touch with some of those buyers if it means putting your mind at ease. You wouldn’t hire any other employee without references, so why should hiring real estate realtors be any different?
It goes without saying that realtors are in the business to make money, as you work at your job to make your own. Even so, as MSN Real Estate points out, you need to try and find a realtor that isn’t just working with you to line their pockets. The best real estate professionals take an interest in the home you want and go from there. In short, it should be about making you happy first and making money last. By meeting with each realtor you’re considering before doing business, you can better gauge why they want to work with you.
As Zillow so sagely suggests, you need a realtor who specializes in working with your type of property. You’re looking for a home, so you don’t want someone who usually deals in commercial spaces. Similarly, if you’re looking for a home in the $300,000 range, you’ll be better off not opting for a realtor who works in the luxury market. Go with someone with the experience to get you what you want and need.
How did you find real estate realtors you could rely on? Share your tips with us in the comments below! Read more articles like this.
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