With nearly 1.2 million realtors across the nation, it can feel overwhelming to pick the agent that is going to be the best fit for you. Here are six secrets to hiring a great realtor.

1.Do Your Research 

With the internet these days, it’s fairly easy to filter through hundreds of realtors to narrow down your options. You can check out their web presence and current listings to start getting a feel for who would make a good fit.

2. Marketing 

As you’re scanning through realtors online, you can dig deeper and see what their marketing strategies are. How are they promoting their business and their listings? That will oftentimes translate into how they will market your home and how tenacious they will be in finding you your dream home.

3. Read Testimonials

Don’t judge a book by its cover though. Testimonials will show you that the realtor has experience and can (or cannot) provide excellent service though this huge transaction. Read Team Lucky Duck’s testimonials here.

4. Communication Styles

When you start to reach out to agents, you will be able to get a feel for their communication style. Do they respond quickly and thoroughly? Are they warm and friendly?

5. Expertise

Does the agent have extensive knowledge of the city or neighborhood you’re buying or selling in? Are they well-versed in the type of home you’re looking to buy or sell? Your agent should stress the importance of education to make sure you completely understand your options.

6. Negotiation Skills

Having a strong negotiator in your court is one of the biggest reasons to use a realtor in a real estate transactions. An easy trick to test their negotiation skills is to check what they are charging for commission. The industry standard is between 5 and 7 percent and if an agent is willing to charge less, it means they are not negotiating their own salary well. If they won’t go to bat for themselves, what will make them go to bat for you?

If you have any questions on how to find the right realtor for you, we are more than happy to provide objective advice. Contact us here. No matter who you choose, we advise you to be thorough to make sure your experience is as successful and stress-free as possible.