Choosing the right real estate agent is crucial for first-time homebuyers, as experience, communication, and knowledge can greatly enhance the homebuying process.
As a first-time homebuyer, choosing the right real estate agent is super important. And I’m not just saying that because I happen to be an agent! I’ve seen firsthand where an agent isn't experienced enough or doesn’t have the right temperament for a particular type of home sale, and the entire transaction just falls apart.
So here are some tips and strategies I would recommend to any first-time homebuyer for finding the right match in a real estate agent, why who you select matters, and the best ways to avoid any bumps in the road once you sign on with someone.
Why Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent Matters for First-Time Buyers
Something that I always tell new clients is that we all –
buyers, sellers, and agents – have the exact same goal: to get to the
finish line. One party wants to sell, one wants to buy. The idea is not
to try to take each other for everything they’re worth, but to reach a
deal that works for everybody.
Good real estate agents are experts at navigating all of those little nuances that can come up and derail a purchase from taking place. I’ll give you a couple of examples.
How a Transaction Can Fall Apart
First, there was one sale in which I represented the sellers, and the other agent was working with a first-time homebuyer. After the home inspection, they came to us with a huge list of everything wrong with the house, from the drain stop in the bathroom sink to mold in the crawlspace.
They wanted my seller to repair every last item. It was a relatively standard home inspection, but they asked for everything under the sun, and so we responded that we would fix all the major items, and anything that was a safety hazard, but wouldn’t be able to get to every small item. There was some back-and-forth, but the buyers wouldn’t budge, and the sale fell through.
I had a hunch that if their agent had set more realistic expectations about the inspection process, perhaps they might have been more open to negotiating. Maybe we could have discussed tweaking the price of the home to cover remaining items, for example. But the deal was broken over relatively small things like a sink drain stop.
How the Right Agent Can Save the Day
The next example demonstrates how an agent’s knowledge and experience can sometimes save a sale that might otherwise have been doomed. In this scenario, the seller had a home with a septic system, and the home inspection revealed that it needed a major repair to the tune of $20K. That amount wasn’t possible for the seller to cover, but instead of the deal ending right there, I recommended that we do a little research.
We looked at the tax records for the other nearby properties and in the county information system, and it turned out that the neighboring properties were not on septic systems but instead connected to a county sewage line. So all the seller had to do was extend their line a little further to tap into that system, which would cost a much more affordable $4K. They made the fix, and the house was sold.
Luckily, I have a background in new construction, so I knew to look for a solution like this. Without that, the sale might not have happened.
How to Find a Real Estate Agent You Can Trust
There are a number of ways to find a real estate agent, but it will ultimately come down to your individual needs and preferences.
For example, you might go to an open house or get a flyer in the mail and meet an agent that way. That can definitely work out; however, it’s typically the newer agents who are aggressively marketing for new business.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing – we all started somewhere. But I’m just pointing out that it can indicate that you might find agents who are earlier in their career if you go those routes.
I’m a bigger fan of asking for referrals from family and friends. If you don’t know anyone in the area you’re moving to, Zillow ratings can be helpful as long as you use your wisdom and discernment. For example, if you notice that a couple of the agent’s most recent reviews mention that they were unresponsive, then you may want to steer clear.
What to Look for When Choosing a Real Estate Agent
First-time buyers should look for a few key qualities in an agent. You also want to be able to connect on a personality level, too.
On the credential side, besides actually being licensed, you probably don’t have to worry so much about additional certifications. It’s more about their experience, their accessibility, and their reputation.
The other big thing to make sure of is that the person you hire is fully in your corner. For that reason, I don’t think dual agency is a good idea. This is where one agent represents both the buyer and the seller. You want to hire a “buyer’s agent” so there’s no conflict of interest.
As for a “green flag” to look for, a prospective agent should want to meet with you in person – if not, run away. It’s at these meetings where an agent can set expectations and get to know your needs.
For example, I always tell potential clients that I try to make Sunday a day of rest, so I don’t typically perform tours that day. But I am available the other six days and in the evenings, and I keep my schedule extremely flexible to accommodate them. I also take the time to understand each buyer’s specific needs, schedule, communication preferences, their motivations, and what they’re looking for in a home.
My other suggestion is to try to find a Realtor who does the job full-time. This is no way a dig at part-time agents, many of whom are great people. But first-time homebuyers in particular may need someone who can provide more focused attention.
As for a “green flag” to look for, a prospective agent should want to meet with you in person – if not, run away. It’s at these meetings where an agent can set expectations and get to know your needs.
How to Interview a Real Estate Agent Before Hiring Them
Start with these two main questions:
Why should I hire you?
Realtors typically make around 3% of the purchase price of the home. That’s a lot of money and trust to put into someone, and they should be able to provide you with a clear answer.
For example, what I like to tell a new client is that while a lot of Realtors are burning and turning clients, making cold calls, and looking for the next paycheck, I’m at the point in my career where all of my time and effort can be spent on the clients that are in front of me. This allows me to show houses to you, and gives me the time to be flexible on your schedule.
How many houses have you sold?
You can also ask variations of this question, such as if they’ve sold the particular type of property you want (new construction, for example), or how often they work with first-time buyers. That boots-on-the-ground experience means that they have dealt with all sorts of situations and they’ll be able to handle any complications that come up.
Other questions
Some of this should be addressed by the agent in that first consultation, but if not, here are other things to ask about:
When we tour homes, will you help point out things to look for that I might not be aware of? During a home tour, I go through and see if I can notice any red flags like moisture stains or settlement cracks. I run the shower for 20 minutes and flush the toilets. This can help identify potential problems in a home that might look beautiful cosmetically but have underlying issues.
If I want to see a home, what will that process be like? This gets to the heart of how you’ll communicate, and also sets expectations about response times and when to set up tours. I like to tell my clients that, whenever possible, having 24 hours to set up a home tour is ideal, since it gives the seller, the seller’s agent, and myself time to make it happen.
Do you normally sell in this area? Location and proximity of the agent to where you’re looking can affect the logistics a bit. For instance, I sometimes turn away clients who are looking too far away just because going back and forth a few times a week might not be feasible. However, if they are OK with seeing a few listings in one day, we can sometimes make it work.
How will we stay in touch? Communication style and responsiveness is so important. Not everyone loves texting, while others prefer it to phone calls for quick check-ins and basic updates.
There are no “right” answers to any of these, per se. Instead, look for signs that the agent is transparent, patient, eager to understand your needs and willing to be flexible, and has a personality that you enjoy being around. You’re going to spend a good amount of time working together, so the right vibe is important!
How to Avoid Mistakes When Finding a Real Estate Agent
Mistakes usually happen when there isn’t enough upfront communication. Again, you want to sit down with a potential real estate agent at the first meeting and hash everything out. If anything feels off, trust your gut and move on.
Once you do sign a contract to work with an agent, however, you are bound to work with them for the period of time listed. If you are unhappy with their service, let the agent know and see if there are ways to remedy the situation. While you technically can’t just walk away, if things are not working out, you can kindly ask that the agent release you from the contract. If it’s a true mismatch, they should have no problem doing that.
Expert Advice for First-Time Homebuyers Choosing an Agent
Choosing an agent can feel complicated, but it’s an essential piece of the homebuying journey that can impact everything that comes after.
That’s why my number one piece of advice for someone choosing their first real estate agent is to meet with a potential agent in person. Ideally, you will have gotten that person’s name from a trusted friend or family member or from excellent online reviews, so you already know something about their reputation going in.
At the first meeting, you should feel at ease and understand the next steps. One of the agent’s key jobs is to guide and educate you and be responsive to your questions. If communication is poor during those initial stages, it will likely get worse during critical transaction timelines. But if you seem to click and the agent knows their stuff, then it’s likely that things will go smoothly.
