Credit: Oleksandr Pidvalnyi via Pixabay

When buying a new house or selling your current one, one of the first steps is meeting with a real estate agent. Real estate agents are essential players in the home buying or selling process; they will guide you through the ins and outs, provide advice and work to get you the best deal on whichever side of the sale you’re on.

If you don’t have an established relationship with a real estate agent, it’s worth taking your time and contacting a few to meet with. It’s important to remember that it’s not about finding any real estate agent; it’s about finding the right one. Not all agents will be a good fit for all clients and vice versa. You should find someone who will work well with you.

In order to get the most possible from your meetings, you should come prepared knowing what you want to discuss and with a list of questions to ask the real estate agent. This will allow you to gather the information you need to align your strategy, make sure your needs will be met and communicate your expectations. Read on to learn what to expect from your initial real estate agent meetings.

Money Talks

Some people are uncomfortable discussing money matters, especially with people they first meet, but having a frank discussion about finances is essential to ensure your meetings are productive. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is wise, as it will allow you to truly understand how much you will have to work with. This information is critical for realtors in Pickering to know so they can show you homes and neighbourhoods that are within your budget.

Take time to gather your financial information so you can share this with the agents you meet with.

Needs and Wants

Your budget will provide an agent with a price range to find homes to show you, but the other essential piece of the puzzle is your must-haves and want-to-haves. After all, a variety of houses might fit into your price range, but if you only want specific locations or features, all of that will be for naught.

If you’ve been planning to buy a home, chances are you’ve spent some time dreaming about what that home will look like. But now is the time that dreams have to become a reality. It’s important to think critically about what you absolutely must have versus what are things that are just nice to have, as well as any dealbreakers you might have.

Be prepared to discuss all these things during your meetings. Knowledgeable realtors will be able to tell you how realistic your lists are given your budget and desired locations.

The Right Match

Think of your meetings like an interview, and prepare questions to ask the agent to help you get a better picture of how they work and whether they’d work well with you. General questions about their experience, commission and their average list price to sales price ratio are good to ask. Consider also asking about their marketing strategy, what they think is a reasonable price for your home and their communication style.

It’s important to work with someone who listens and will work well with you. Follow these tips to find the right realtor for you.