02/5

Before jumping aboard the homeownership train, you’ll first need to find a real estate agent that will help you throughout your home-purchasing journey!

How do you find an agent?

Referrals are all a part of the process – ask friends and family members if they can recommend an agent (if they’ve had a great experience with them, of course).

You can also easily Google “real estate agent [city]” to find other reviews from Yelp, Zillow, and Realtor.com.

How do you choose?

After you’ve found the one you might want to work with, start going through their online presence – do they have a website, or any social media accounts? Are there any reviews online?

It’s important to choose an agent you feel comfortable working with – one who is competent and prepared to be with you throughout each step of the home-buying process.

Keep in mind:

• Differences between a Realtor® and a Real Estate Agent: All Realtors® and Real Estate Agents are required to be licensed by the state to represent buyers and sellers in property transfers. However, a Realtor® is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® – which means that he or she must uphold the standards of the association and its code of ethics.
• Find an agent who is familiar with the community you want to live in. Here are some questions to ask your potential real estate agent:
  • Do you deal mostly with home buyers or with home sellers?
  • Are you fully automated with a computer, smartphone, email, etc.?
  • Are you a member of the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
  • Are you able to provide local real estate market trends, values, and statistics?

For more real estate guides, check out AmeriTitle’s Blog and the Buyer and Seller information on our website.