Buying a home is such an important step. Among the many decisions you’ll make, choosing who you will work with during your search can not be underestimated! A realtor that understands your needs and the particular challenges of military life can be a powerful ally in creating a positive home-buying experience.
With the frequent moves of most military personnel, it’s easy to be bombarded by shiny postcards and toothy grins on real estate billboards. But expensive advertising doesn’t tell you much about what that realtor can actually do for you. When it comes time to buy your next home, create a list of potential realtors to interview before making a decision. Taking a little time at the beginning of your home search to find the right fit will pay off in a smoother home buying experience!
Once you’ve made your list from friend’s recommendations and a little research, ask each of your realtor candidate these 5 questions.
How much will your work cost me and how is it determined?
Buying a home is an investment – an expensive one. Discovering at the last minute that there are realtor fees you did not anticipate can be a nasty shock to the system. Establish up front exactly what any realtor related expenses are, how they are determined (commission vs. flat rate) and when they are due.
How has this market changed in the last 5 years?
With the draw down, changing troop assignments and natural economic fluctuations in the market, the housing market around military installations has evolved in the last several years. Your realtor should be able to knowledgeably discuss the changes with you and be able to articulate a strategy to navigate those changes in the search for your next home. This will highlight a realtor’s experience and professionalism – both indicators they have the solid foundation to help you effectively.
Learn more about Home Captain Realty.
What do you expect of me to make this go smoothly?
Each realtor will have their own workflow and preferences. Making sure that their process is a good match for your needs, schedule and preferences lays the ground work for a productive realtor-buyer relationship, especially if you will be shopping long distance. Ask your realtor candidates whether they prefer to communicate digitally (text, email), by phone, or in person and how frequently they will expect to speak with or see you. How quickly will they expect you to make decisions/respond to their questions? Compare the answers from different realtors and consider your resources.
What advice do you have for a buyer planning to use a VA Loan?
Having a realtor familiar with the VA Loan process puts one more plus in your corner. Even if you have not decided for sure whether you will be using your VA Loan benefit or not, it’s a good option to have. A realtor familiar with the VA Loan Appraisal process will be better able to help you identify homes that may have issues that need addressing before a VA Loan will be approved, thus saving you time, money and energy.
Doing these 5 things will prove to be well worth it!
We want to know:
What do you look for in a realtor?
I hadn’t really thought to ask a realtor what they expect from you during the time you’re working with them. I can see how that could potentially clear up a lot of issues and make the whole process of finding and buying a house smoother. Getting a new home is something I’m planning on doing soon, so I’ll have to be sure to ask about that when I start looking for a good real estate agent to work with.
McKayla – it’s a great way to ensure that you and the realtor you are considering are a great fit! Everyone has their preferences and personal situation to balance so making sure you work well with your realtor can the dealbreaker on a smooth or challenging buying process!
Hi. I am a realtor in Michigan and also a military widow (my husband died in 1998 while serving on active duty) I took the military relocation certification provided by the national association of realtors and it was a good start but unless you have bought, or sold a home using your VA or know what it is like to find a place to live in one weekend because of a change of duty station, you should get a realtor who knows what you are going through.
Jeanine – absolutely! Finding the right realtor is important aspect of the home search process, and someone familiar with the VA Loan process can be a tremendous asset. I’d love to have you check out our business directory as a way to connect with military families who could use your assistance! https://www.ahrn.com/ahrs_shell.php?page=register_rd&m=rd
I love that you mention that buying a home is an investment. It really is something that cost money and too much worry for money probably means that it is not cut out for you at that point. You should have some leg room financially speaking if you are going to find a house. https://www.century21north.com
I love that you mention that buying a home is an investment. It really is something that cost money and too much worry for money probably means that it is not cut out for you at that point. You should have some leg room financially speaking if you are going to find a house. https://www.century21north.com
I am planning to buy a new home and therefore searching an expert realtor. I think these 5 questions will definitely help me in finding the right real estate agent. Thanks for sharing this blog Kristen, It will surely help a lot of people in choosing their realtor.
That is a great article! I like your advice on having a realtor familiar with the VA loan process. I can see how that would be handy to have as a buyer. In my opinion, it's always best to seek professional help and to get educated when making decisions like these. https://www.valoanlending.com
Glad you found this article helpful! Good luck – have you seen our Military Home Buyer’s Guide? Download here: https://blog.ahrn.com/the-military-home-buyers-guide/
I'm so glad you included asking about the Realtor's knowledge of market trends. I feel like it's so important for them to be aware of what is a good deal, but also when it is a good deal. That way, you know you have someone on your side who really can help you in the best ways possible! Thanks for a great article!
You are very welcome!
Thanks for your article about how to choose the right real estage agent. I like how you mention that you should talk to your Realtor about what their workflow is like and the process the use. Finding a real estate agency that uses a style that fits well with your personality and preferences can help to create a mutually pleasant experience through what can be an emotional and stressful decision. I'll keep your tips in mind when I buy my first home.
I’m so glad it’s useful for you, Adam!
I like what you said about finding a realtor that is a good match for your needs. I've had people recommend realty companies to me and, although they were really good, they weren't good fit for me. Hopefully, i can find a company that is really easy for me to work with.
It definitely helps! Good look with your search, Ember.
This is great advice, thanks for the article. My husband and I used a real estate agent that was recommended to us, without interviewing anyone else. The real estate agent would send us houses that did not fit the criteria that we gave her. I had to tell her multiple times what we were specifically looking for, it was frustrating. It worked out in the end, but I didn’t feel like it should have been that difficult. I wish we would have talked to a few different real estate agents in the beginning and found the best fit.
Laurie – I’m sorry you have that experience. It definitely is a learning process!
I agree that you should find out how much your real estate agent is going to charge. I think in some cases, higher price means quality. Other times, they’re just desparate for money and don’t really know what they’re doing.
Eiden – it’s definitely important to interview and research!
With something as important as buying a home, you definitely don’t want to work with the wrong real estate agent. I feel like it would be worth it to do lots of your own research. And then, like you say, go ahead and just interview them and see if they are a good fit before you move forward.
Definitely, Kayla!
Thank you very much for the information i really appreciate it. keep it up
You’re very welcome
Hey Kristen,
You have elaborated really useful points as it is really important to find the best real estate agent in order to find our dream house. 🙂
in my opinion, a thorough research work is really important before hiring any agent. You can even take a li’l help from your friends, relatives or other knowns.
Internet can also be useful but mouth to mouth advice can be considered as genuine one.
Thumbs up buddy..!!!!!
Thank you, Herman
I like your tip to ask about the realtor fees upfront and how they will be determined. Like you said, you don’t want to be slapped with unexpected fees after making such an expensive investment. Even if you want to avoid being rude, it’s best to ask your realtor straight up about their pricing and how it is determined so you’re both clear. Thanks for the article.
You’re very welcome, Hazel. You’re right, clear communication is best for everyone!
Hello! I am a Realtor in the Doral area for the last 13 years. I had help Military families to find a homes close to work and provide information on schools in the area. I know Moving can be very stressful but if you have someone with expirience and knowledge of the area this can make a big difference . If you want to plan in advance and need any information about Doral rental market , Re-sales, New Constructions …
The tip to ask the question "what do you expect of me to make this go smoothly" was great and would really help the realtor-buyer relationship and make the process easier. The advice to make sure there won't be realtor fees you didn't expect was also very helpful. I thought these give questions were smart and helpful to making sure and find the right real estate agent.
Clear expectations are always a solid foundation to build a professional relationship on! Thanks for stopping in, Vivian!
Maritza – if you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to create free AHRN.com listings for your properties and list your information in our AHRN.com Business Directory so that military families moving to your area can find you!
Thanks for this great article
You’re very welcome, Lora.
Such a great article. Thanks for all the useful information! Buying a house is definitely an investment and I’m glad you pointed that out as it is always something to keep in mind when investing in real estate! Look forward to reading more on the matter!
It’s crazy to think that your choice in a realtor could end up determining your choice in a home. Thank you for providing information on how to find the right real estate agent. You’re right, it’s important to know about any realtor fees and expenses before hiring them.
You mentioned that each realtor will have their own workflow and preferences and making sure that their process is a good match for your needs, schedule and preferences lays the groundwork for a productive relationship. Do most realtors adjust their way of doing things depending on the situation? My brother is looking to sell his home because his job is relocating and is need of some help. Maybe hiring a professional to help him might be a good idea.
Derek – I think that will depend on the realtor. Some will be more flexible than others and that is something you’ll need to determine as part of the interview process.
I would have never thought to consider all of the fees that the realtor has. Like you mentioned, the more you are aware of the fees they require, the easier it will be to stick to a budget when it comes to buying a home. I’m going to ask to read through a contract and make sure it includes all fees before I sign it.
I like your tip on asking a realtor how the market has changed in the last five years. I would imagine that someone who can knowledgeably discuss changes in the housing market would be someone you would want to hire. My husband and I are looking for someone to sell our home so when we find a real estate agent we’ll have to remember to test their knowledge of the housing market.
It’s really important to find the right real estate agent. Like you mentioned, the market changes, so it’s necessary to work with an expert. I wouldn’t ever try and buy or sell a home without the help of a realtor.
My husband and I are planning on buying our first home next year, so I really appreciate this information on how to choose the right agent. I like the tip you give of looking for someone who understands the market and its trends. I imagine that it would be a good idea to look for someone who has good reviews online from their former clients.
You’re right about the importance of having a professional real estate agent with the right knowledge at your disposal. The investment is a very important one, as you’ve shared.
It can help immensely!
Good reviews are a great place to start. Even better is if you can chat with someone who worked with them!
I agree that asking a realtor how the market has changed in the last five years can be informative. I would imagine that finding someone who is really well versed in how market trends operate could help you find the best deal on a home. I’m looking to buy a new home so when it comes to hiring a real estate agent I’ll have to ask them about how the market has changed in the last few years.
I agree that you would want to ask a realtor how the market has changed in the last five years before you hire them. I would imagine that knowing their experience in the market would be important. This would also give you an idea of their experience and how good they are at selling a home.
Exactly!
I agree that you would want to find out how much a realtor will charge and how that is determined. I would imagine that knowing how you will pay would be really important. This would also allow you to find someone who is just right for your home buying process.
Thanks for your advice to ask a real estate agent what they expect of you during the process. I can see how this would be really helpful for someone, especially if it was their first time buying or selling a home. I would imagine that good realtor would also have lots of contacts and would be able to help you locate homes for sale or potential buyers quickly.
You’re very welcome, Luke!
This is a great list of thing to consider when looking for a real estate agent. It’s important to find someone who is willing to work for you and give you their full attention when searching for a home. Thanks for sharing!
I really like what was said about real estate agents in this article. I had a friend who recently bought a house and the reason he hired a real estate agent was because they were experts in the market. Real estate agents have a great understanding of how to get the best value out of your home.
very true!
That’s a great tip you give about establishing up front what any realtor expenses could be and how much they could be. I’ve heard that there’s some real estate agents that won’t charge any fees if they don’t sell your home before a set time. Seems like that would give them lots of motivation to sell! I’ll have to keep this info in mind as I look for an agent to sell my home!
It was surprising to read that having a realtor with the VA Loan Appraisal process will be better able to hep to identify homes that may have issues. We are moving this February and we have never moved before so it is a new experience for us. As we track down an agent we will be sure to ask about the VA Loan to get the best house possible!
My wife and I are planning on buying our first home soon. We don’t know where to start, so we are trying to find a real estate agent, who can help us navigate through the process. I like the idea of asking the realtor what he needs from you in order to make the process go smoothly. I want to work together in order to get the house that is perfect for us. This is something I will definitely ask potential real estate agents.
“First-time home buyers in particular should take their time in selecting a real estate professional who they feel confident will guide them through the purchase process,”.
“In addition to keeping you informed all along the way, your agent or broker should be tech-savvy enough to help you do a complete search for all of the inventory currently on the market. That includes properties available online for sale at auction, not just those on the multiple listing service.”
I read your blog that is informative for me because I am planning to buy property but I don’t know where do I start. I know that I can’t buy perfect property at reasonable price without hire any perfect property agent. I have searched property agent on realestateindia.com. Can anybody tell me about best property agent in India
These are great advice for find the right real estate agent. Perfect for those who are new to the home buying process! Thanks for sharing!
You mentioned figuring out what kind of communication the real estate agent relies on, such as text, email, phone, or in person. I love to text people, so I would love to work with an agent who also uses that form. I’ll be sure to look around online for a few different real estate agents, and see which one is the best for me. Thanks for the great ideas.
My husband and I are looking into buying our first home and we want to make sure it is a good experience. I think finding the right real estate agent will really help with this. These questions will be super helpful! I thought of asking them how the market has changed in the last 5 years. Thanks for sharing!
Don’t forget to add any questions that you have of your own on top of these five questions. The second one is my favorite. To me, it shows that real estate agent is an expert in this field. That’s always comforting.
I really like your tip about making sure that their process is a good match for your needs when it comes to hiring a real estate agent. My husband and I have been thinking about selling our home for a while now so having someone that is a great match for us would really help with the process. We will be sure to keep this information in mind while we are searching, thank you for sharing!
Making sure that your realtor’s process is a good match for your needs, schedule, and preference is a good idea. Being able to maintain a good relationship with your agent would probably help the process go smoothly and make sure you find the best home for yourself. Communicating with your realtor about what you want, and about any changes that may happen throughout the process, will probably help things go smoother as well.
Thanks for these information. I think it is hard for first time buyers to find the right realtor. I think this information will be really helpful.
These are great questions to ask to finding the right real estate agent! And I agree, its always important to figure out any or all realtor related expenses that would be due before using that that agent. Thanks for sharing!
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I like your tip on asking a realtor how much the market has changed in the last five years. It would seem that their answer would tell you a lot about how experienced and educated they are. I’m looking for someone to help me buy a home so I’ll have to find someone who knows a lot about the market.
My husband and I have come to the conclusion that it is time to buy a new home, and we would like to hire a real estate agent to help us do so. This being the first time we have ever bought a home, we need some advice on how to find the right one for us. I like how you suggested we ask them what they would need from us to make the process go smoothly, that way we know if their workflow will match well with us. Which will be really helpful in making this be a better experience for us. Thanks for all the different advice!
My brother will start looking for a house in a few months and wants to make sure he finds a great agent to help. Thank you for talking about how a good real estate agent should be able to understand market trends and come up wit the best plan to help you achieve your goals. It makes sense that understanding this can lead anyone to the house that offers the features they’re looking for and make sure they get the best deal for it.
I like what was said about asking realtor candidates about whether they prefer to communicate digitally or in person. It would also be good to discover how often they plan to speak with you. My sister recently bought her house with the help of a realtor and she was happy to know that her agent was only a phone call away and would answer any and all questions she had.
I’m looking at buying a new home, so I’m glad I came across this article. I really liked how you mention finding a real estate agent whose process is a good match for my specific needs. I’d imagine I’d be able to move into a house much sooner if I work with an agent like this.
I appreciate that you talked about how realtors should be able to knowledgeably discuss the changes that has occurred in the market and how they attend to tackle those changes. In an industry that is constantly changing, I feel like it’s important to always be aware and alert of what is happening and even what could happen. Having a willingness to constantly learn is vital to this industry, especially to be successful.
My husband and I are in the process of getting ready to buy our first house. It’s good to know that when it comes to choosing a real estate agent, that we should see if there is anything we can do to help make the process go more smoothly. That way we can determine whether or not they are someone we can work with and who will be easy to communicate with.
My mother needs to find a real estate agent to help her with her home buying and selling. She would really appreciate finding someone that will not surprise her with any fees. This way she knows she can trust her realtor.
Thanks for the tip to determine up front what any realtor related expenses will be. I am looking to move into a new home, and I think now might be the time to start finding real estate agents. Learning how much the market has changed in the last 5 years by speaking with realtors is also something I’ll do.
I do like that the article reminds readers to ask the real estate agent about what they’re expected to do. After all, you shouldn’t, and won’t, be leaving everything in the hands of your realtor. At the very least you should be expecting to do the cleaning and making your house look presentable for potential buyers.
I liked the article. Found some great tips to find the right real estate agent by reading this.
Also gained some useful insight regarding the right real state agent.
So Thank you so much for posting this article.
Keep Blogging !!
Great blog! Definitely something that we need to keep in mind when buying a house. I never really thought of a VA loan before. Something to keep in mind for the next time I buy. Asking what you can do is a great idea, I remember when I sold my first house at Camp Hill, my real estate agents at Smith Top Team Realtors, sat me down and explained everything that was going to happen and what they needed me to do. It was a big help and made the whole process smoother
Great article Thanks for sharing
We love the way you lay out your blog posts, Very easy to read.
Awesome Blog! Thanks for sharing this post. It is an interesting post for everyone. When I read about this post then got more information. why finding the right agent is the first step to finding the right home. I will share this post with my clients.
Thanks for sharing this post, it is very important to select the correct real estate agent who can help you in purchasing the correct property
Great article indeed! This is such an amazing article.