Keys to Hiring A Rockstar Real Estate Agent in Los Angeles, CA
How can you find a reliable and knowledgeable real estate agent to help you buy a home? Finding the perfect agent can ensure a smooth and successful homebuying experience. In this blog, I’ll share with you effective strategies for finding a rockstar agent who aligns with your vision, values, and goals. From finding the agent, the interview process, and hiring, I’ll provide valuable insights to help you find the perfect real estate professional. Let’s get started.
Where can I find my agent?
Finding a reliable, trustworthy, and knowledgeable real estate agent can help ensure your home buying journey is smooth and successful. Here are some ways you can find a rockstar agent.
Seek Recommendations: Reach out to friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues who have recently bought or sold a home in the area you would like to purchase in. Ask about their experiences with their real estate agent and if they would recommend them to help you.
Open Houses: Visit open houses in the area(s) where you want to buy. This will allow you to meet real estate agents in person, observe their professionalism, and see how they interact with people. Ask for business cards from agents who impress you with their knowledge and approachability.
Online Platforms: Go on the internet and peruse different social media and review-based platforms. Some great websites include Youtube, Instagram, Yelp, and Google Business. You can easily search for real estate agents in the area(s) you want to buy and evaluate their credentials and experience.
Schedule Consultations
Narrow down your list of potential real estate agents and schedule consultations with each of them. Use this opportunity to ask questions about their experience, knowledge of the local real estate market, and values.
The Consultation - Broker Questions
A rockstar real estate agent should be asking you questions. Asking the right questions helps real estate brokers decide if they are actually able to help their clients. The questions I ask my potential clients revolve around: why, when, what, where, who, and how. For example, I’ll ask questions like:
Why do you want to buy a home?
When do you plan on buying?
What are your biggest concerns?
Where do you plan on buying a home?
Who will be the decision makers?
How will you finance the deal?
These questions help me enhance my service, find my client their dream home, and set expectations.
The Consultation - Your Questions
A rockstar client should be asking their agent questions. Asking the right questions helps buyers decide if they are actually able to trust the person they’re hiring. If I were a person interviewing real estate agents, I’d ask questions that focus on a real estate agent’s integrity, experience/knowledge, communication skills, and negotiation skills. Below are a few questions you might consider asking:
Integrity: How do you prioritize your clients’ best interests?
This question will give you insight into their approach to working with people and their commitment to making decisions based on their client’s best interests.
Experience & Knowledge: How long have you been a real estate agent?
This question will help you assess their level of experience and knowledge and their familiarity with the neighborhoods you are interested in.
Communication Skills: How do you prefer to communicate with your clients, and how frequently do you update them?
This question will help you determine if the agent’s communication style aligns with yours, as well as how accessible they will be throughout the homebuying journey.
Negotiation Skills: Can you share with me a recent closing where you negotiated a great deal for your client?
This question will help you determine if the agent is a skilled negotiator and can provide insight into their ability to advocate for their clients’ interests effectively.
While these questions provide a solid foundation, it's important to note that there are plenty of other questions you can ask when interviewing real estate agents. I have included a more comprehensive list of potential questions and talking points in the "Consultation" section of The Ultimate Home Buyer's Guide (➡️ Link ⬅️). It will provide you with additional insights and help you gather the information you need to make an informed decision when selecting your real estate agent.
Reviews & Testimonials
At the end of your interview, ask them to provide references from their most recent 3 closings. Reach out to these references to get insights into their experiences working with the agent. This will also help you verify the information you discovered during your interview with the agent.
Avoid this first-time buyer mistake.
One of the biggest mistakes I see as a real estate broker is when someone hires their friend or relative without interviewing them. And people do it because they have a kind heart and want to help their friend or relative. However, when hiring a real estate agent, it’s important to approach the process professionally, even if they are a friend or relative. Blindly hiring your agent based on personal relationships can lead to unexpected challenges down the road. Making time to interview them will allow you to evaluate their qualifications, experience, and compatibility with what you’re trying to accomplish. Treat this process like any other professional hire to ensure a successful and smooth homebuying experience. Buying a home is challenging. So, it’s important to hold them to the same expectations as you would any other agent.
The Final Decision
Finding the right real estate agent can take time. Be sure to research, interview, and assess multiple agents until you find someone who aligns with your vision, values, and goals. There will be time during your homebuying journey when you have to listen to your agent’s advice, so you will need to trust this person with big decisions. A skilled real estate agent can make a huge difference in your homebuying experience.
TLDR
Be patient when hiring a real estate agent. Be sure to ask about their experience and local market knowledge, as well as their communication style and availability. Additionally, make sure you can trust them & are compatible to ensure a successful working relationship.
✌️ & 🖤,
James Paul Valerio
(323) 420-4669
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Buying or selling a home (especially for the first time) can be nerve-racking. To alleviate teh anxiety, we emphasize educating our clients so they understand what to expect during their real estate journey. If you would like to chat about buying or selling a home, schedule your FREE consultation today by clicking the link below!
James Paul Valerio
Broker & Owner of The Valerio Group, Inc.
DRE #02001410
