When Hiring a Realtor, Look for a Local.
With more than 15,000 licensed real estate agents in the greater Austin area and tools like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Google, it can be easy to find a Realtor. Asking for referrals from friends and family is a great idea, but even then, how do you determine if an agent’s background and expertise will be the right fit for your needs? In this competitive market, you need an agent able to identify properties that meet your criteria, who knows how to navigate the home buying and selling process specific to the area and be easy to work with. Like in any hiring process, it is acceptable to interview a few different Realtors… here’s what to consider:
Geographical competence. There’s a good chance your Aunt Sally highly recommends the agent she used to buy a house in Dallas and your college friend swears by the Realtor she used in Houston, but finding a local Realtor is important for so many reasons. Realtors need to be experts in the area where they do business. I’ve been to Dallas and Houston many times, but I don’t know those neighborhoods like I know my own. Even just from a logistical standpoint, a Realtor has to be able to physically open doors for showings. Although it’s only a fraction of what we do, showing homes can’t be done efficiently by a Realtor who lives 3 hours away. Especially if you’re moving here from out of town or out of state, it’s extremely helpful to have an agent who’s familiar with the community, schools, shopping, etc. You need an agent who knows more than what they read in a listing.
Relevant experience. A qualified agent doesn’t need to have 10+ years of experience, but the best agent for you must have experience that aligns with your needs. If you’re looking to buy a home in a master-planned community, then an agent who specializes in farm and ranch properties probably won’t be your best bet (and vice versa). Like any other profession, most agents have a niche, and in a state as diverse as Texas, you should hire a Realtor who has experience selling what you want to buy. Being able to advise on what to offer (especially when there’s a multiple offer situation) varies a lot on price point and location (which a local Realtor will know). Additionally, ask the agent about their own buying and selling experience. If they haven’t been on the other side of a transaction recently here in Texas, I’d be weary. A Realtor needs to know what it’s like in your shoes!
Availability. If you’re constantly playing phone tag with your Realtor, that’s not a good sign. In this market, both you and your Realtor need to move quickly and be responsive. I’m not suggesting an agent should be texting you back in the middle of the night — work/life balance is important for us too! But in a market where the best properties go into multiple offers overnight — and sometimes in a matter of hours — you don’t want to miss out because your agent doesn’t have the time to schedule a showing with you or can’t call you back.
If you haven’t noticed a common theme, all of these points relate back to the importance of working with a local real estate agent. That’s what Dripping Springs is all about and one of the reasons why I love living here!
