Hiring a real estate agent in Dallas can be frustrating. So what are the steps on how to find a good real estate agent in Dallas?
Many local large real estate brokers will spend thousands and thousands of dollars each month to ensure that their agents are the most visible, whether it be online, in your mailbox, or by placing giant billboards in the most trafficked sections of Dallas.
However, the agents backed by the most promotion dollars aren’t always the best, and may not be a good fit for your circumstances. In today’s piece, we’re going to look at how you can find a good real estate agent in Dallas.
[NOTE: If you need to sell your Dallas house fast and can’t wait for the 2-4 months+ it is taking to sell a home on the local market… we may be able to help by buying your house from you. We can make you an all-cash offer within 24 hours on your house as-is.]
How To Find A Good Real Estate Agent In Dallas – Get Reviews… Real Reviews
Online reviews of real estate agents can potentially be manipulated, and oftentimes can be paid advertisements. It’s important to get honest reviews from any agent that you’re considering, and any reputable agent will be glad to provide you with recent clients. How can you tell if an agent is legit if they are having to pay for their reviews?
If you can find reviews that are legit, they can be one of the best ways to see how any real estate professional performs in the marketplace.
As a last option to check out an agent, pull up Google and type in the “agent name” and then “reviews” and see what pops up in the Google search. If you see a bunch of bad reviews on websites like yelp and other sites, then you might have your answer. See if the agent tried to engage with those negative reviewers online to resolve the situation. It’s impossible for one person to be a good fit for everyone. So, if there are a couple of bad reviews, that’s no big deal. But if it seems like it’s a common issue, then it’s probably best to move on to the next agent.
Ask the Right Questions Of The Local Dallas Real Estate Agent
Ask the agent (or better yet, his or her former clients) the following questions to gauge the agent’s skills and ability to represent you as a buyer or a seller:
- Was there any part of the process of buying or selling a home that your clients were pleased or particularly displeased with?
- What was the asking price? (Although they don’t have to disclose this in Texas)
- What was the sales price? (Although they don’t have to disclose this in Texas)
- What type of properties have you worked with in my location?
- How many homes have you sold that are similar to mine or what I’m looking to buy?
- How do attract business? Is it strictly referrals from past clients or do you do a lot of paid marketing?
- Can I trust you to answer my phone calls or texts in a timely manner? It’s important to know that your agents are always there to promptly show you a home that pops up before it’s gone. Or if you’re trying to sell your home, you want to make sure they are able to answer the phone from any potential buyers calling with their questions.
It’s important to choose an agent who not only has experience but has experience working with homes similar to yours.
Check The Real Estate Agent’s Credentials
Something else you can do is check your agent’s credentials. This is public information so check with your state’s real estate regulatory authority to verify the agent’s licensing. While you’re on that website, you’re also often able to look into regulatory actions and complaints against the agent.
You should also ask the agent how long they’ve been buying and selling homes. If they’re representing an agency, ask how long they’ve been with that particular agency, and their history with other firms.
Above all, it’s important to choose a real estate agent in Dallas that you can trust. Regular communication is extremely important when selling your home, as in many cases. Especially since your house likely represents the majority of your net worth and has been one of your biggest investments. A good agent will be able to answer questions such as:
- How many inquiries have been made about my home?
- How many of these inquiries came from people likely to submit an offer (not just tire-kickers)?
- What other properties in this neighborhood are for sale? What is the asking price of those homes?
Ask The Local Real Estate Agent How They Plan On Selling Your House
Sometimes being direct is the best. With regards to searching for a powerhouse local Dallas Texas realtor, ask them what ways they intend on marketing your house for sale that the other agents in town don’t do and see what their answer is.
Usually, the great ones actually have a marketing plan in mind and will get your house out there and on the market in a big way.
This Is Where Cheaper Isn’t Always Better
Oftentimes Dallas Texas sellers want to go with the cheapest-priced option.
Because when you look at the numbers… if a real estate agent is earning 3% on a $100,000 sale… that’s $3,000 in fees just to 1 real estate agent. That doesn’t account for the agent that is bringing the buyer who will also be getting paid 3%. Now we’re at a total of 6% just for the agents.
So, it isn’t cheap. But just do your research before you go with a flat-rate agent. Usually, if they’re cheaper, that means the service you’re getting is a lower quality service. The great agents who do their job and do it well don’t have to discount their fees to keep business.
Some of the best real estate agents in Dallas have great marketing systems and are able to sell homes faster and for higher prices. So, even if you find someone to sell your house at a 1.5% fee, look long and hard at whether you’ll actually be saving money long-term.
The same goes for selling your house to a local real estate investor like North Texas Cash For Homes. The company offering the highest price isn’t always the best. Look at the terms of the deal the house buyer offers you and ensure they can close on time because every month that goes by costs you money (your mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, etc.) to hold the property.
It’s important to avoid low-quality real estate agents if at all possible. These could be “rookies” who will do anything to make their first sale. And that includes leaving money of your money on the table. A good real estate agent can make selling your home an extremely smooth experience and will work in your best interest.
So go out there and do your research and find a great local real estate agent.
If you need to sell your house fast, we’d love to make you an all-cash offer on your house. In your search for how to find a good real estate agent, you should also take a look at another one of our blogs that talks about the benefits of working with an agent that understands investing as well.
We can make you a no-obligation offer within 24 hours or less and you can weigh that option against the option of listing with a real estate agent.
Just click the link below and fill out the short form on the next page to get the painless process rolling.