By: James Dickerson, Realtor – A Millennial Professional

Who doesn’t enjoy mindlessly swiping through their favorite dating app hoping to find a potential connection with any random person who might be nearby?  Finding the right agent can be a lot like finding the right dating website/app. What are you hoping to get out of your dating solution? Do you want an app that shows you anyone remotely close to what you’re looking for so you can mindlessly look through pictures and swipe left or right based on what you see? Or do you want a website that asks you tons of questions to try and get know you and what you are looking for specifically and send you a short list of potential people you might find most appealing?  How do you prefer to communicate when you find someone you’re interested in? In person, over the phone, via text or email, or a combination of all of these?  

Much like online dating platforms, different agents can offer all of these options. Some agents have different communication styles, different approaches to searching for the right home, and different areas of expertise. Finding the right agent is extremely important; you have to feel connected to them, trust them to have your best interests at heart, and need them to communicate with you effectively. But how do we find the right agent for you?  

Phone a Friend? 

We all know someone who has recently bought or sold a home. Why not ask them whom they worked with? “Suzie your friend from college, I heard she was an agent. Wait, isn’t she the one who did too many shots and slept on the quad? Never mind.” But asking your friends and family is a great place to start. Even if they don’t have an agent to recommend, they could give you some insight on what they liked or didn’t like about their experience and may give you a few things to look out for.  Don’t have any friends? Try an online search; Facebook and other social media platforms are often used by agents to market in their area. These sites also give clients a platform to give feedback and recommendations. This could give you some insight into what other people have experienced with this agent. You can also stop by a local real estate office in the neighborhood you hoping to move into.  

Meet More Than One!  

It’s always a good idea to meet with more than one agent. You wouldn’t marry the first person you matched with on your dating app, so why would you sign a contract with the first agent you meet? Ask lots of questions and ask them how they intend to find you the right house. How do they communicate with their clients and what knowledge do they have of the area where you intend to purchase? Find the agent that’s right for you before you make any commitments. 

So You Think You Found the One? 

Awesome! Finding the right agent is really important. When you meet with your agent again, they’re going to ask you to sign a “Buyer’s Representation Agreement.” This is the document you sign to hire your agent and gives them the right to represent your best interests. During this meeting, be sure to be as specific as possible about what you’re looking for, give details about the neighborhood, size, and finishes of the home you are looking for. Bring examples if you have them. Also make sure you discuss what you expect from your agent. How often do you want to be emailed, called, or sent texts? When is the best time for you to see a property you’re interested in? The more specific you are, the easier it will be for your agent to meet and hopefully exceed your expectations. 

Moral of the story 

What’s the moral of this story? Just like your online dating platform, your agent has to meet YOUR needs! After all, this may be one of the largest decisions you make in your life. Who do you want to spend the rest of your life with? By who, of course, I mean which house…