Why Choosing the Right Buyer's Agent is so Crucial in this Extreme Seller's Market
Back at it again with some helpful tips for all my buyer's and upcoming buyer's facing this market out there!
Choosing the right buyer's agent in this market can make or break you in this hot seller's market. Your buyer's agent represents you, negotiates for you, and really guides you through the entire process and you need to make sure it's someone who has your back and knows their stuff.
Some things that make a buyer's agent great:
Before you even begin looking for homes, your buyer's agent should explain to you the state of the market. Not to stress you out or discourage you, but to simply set expectations. It is, like I've said, and extreme seller's market, and sometimes agents don't really thoroughly explain that to their buyer beforehand. It's important to understand this could mean multiple offer situations, how fast you need to act, some things that you need to adjust in your offer processes, all before you even start writing offers!
Depending on your timeline, your buyer's agent should be actively searching for coming soon listings, off market properties, and on market properties that meet your criteria and encouraging you to see them in a timely manner. If you're trying to move in the next 3 months, you need to be able to jump at the moment a home you like hits the market. This sometimes means you and the buyer's agent need to make it a priority in your relationship with each other to move quickly.
Your buyer's agent should be explaining to you different options you have to make your offer strong and stand out that meet your needs and capabilities to figure out what you're comfortable with. There are many factors that go into a strong offer. Your agent should explain to you all of these options. You obviously can choose what terms to ultimately offer, but you should be aware of your options.
Your buyer's agent should be totally aware of your situation and needs so they can advocate for you when it comes to negotiations and communication with listing agents and sellers. It's important to make sure that you are upfront and honest with your agent about all things necessary to purchasing a home. What you're comfortable with, what you're not, what your financial capabilities are and what they aren't, what you need and what you don't. This will make your relationship with each other more open and create a smoother transaction.
Your buyer's agent should be 100% transparent and responsive. Time is of the essence in real estate transactions. If your buyer's agent is not responsive and transparent, this could make things challenging.
Some things to ask a buyer's agent when interviewing them:
How do you communicate with your clients? Text, email, phone call, etc.?
What is your process on showing homes?
Can you be quick to respond?
What are some things you do to find homes for your buyer's in this type of market?
What are some offer strategies that you implement that help your buyer's in this type of market?
What's ultimately important here is just finding someone to represent you that you can clearly and openly communicate with, that will go above and beyond to find the right home for you! If you're in the North GA area and you are thinking about purchasing a home this year, please reach out to me so I can explain to you what I can do for you!
