Winter Haven, FL Real Estate Agents
Whether you’re moving to Winter Haven, Florida, or are simply looking for a new home in the area, you need to have an expert on your side. Buying or selling a home on your own is difficult for a number of reasons, and you often don’t get the best deal without an agent.
But how do you know which of the many Winter Haven, FL real estate agents are the best? Here are some tips that will help you find the best local real estate agent.
They Know the Area
Some real estate agents tend to stick to a few neighborhoods around their office or to areas that they know very well. If your home is not in one of these areas, or if you’re looking to purchase in an area they don’t deal with often, they may not fully understand the types of homes in that area or the neighborhood.
You want an agent who can answer all of your questions about traffic, local schools, nearby amenities, and other important information you need in order to determine if the location is right for you.
They Know Your Type of Home
On a related note, you also want to find an agent who understands the type of home you’re buying or selling. If you have an older home, look for an agent with specific experience in historic houses. This is especially true if you live in an historic district with very specific regulations about what you can and cannot do with the property.
At the same time, if you’re buying or selling a very modern home, you want an agent who understands smart home technology and everything that comes with it. They should be able to answer questions about expectations for owning such a house.
They Sell Houses Quickly
As a seller, you don’t want it to be on the market for more than a few months, at most. That’s because the longer a home is on the market, the more potential buyers believe there are potential issues with it.
“After all,” they’ll wonder, “why wouldn’t someone snatch up a great house that’s priced right?” They may believe a house that’s been available for four or five months must have either something wrong with it or it’s priced much too high.
Real estate agents who know how to price homes accurately and understand how to build compelling marketing plans for them will sell homes very quickly. You will want to ask any agent you’re considering working with what their average sell time is. If they tend to have homes on the market for months, that could be a potential red flag.
On the other hand, you can rest assured that agents who sell homes within a few weeks or, even better, have a history of lining up buyers before listings even hit the market know what they’re doing.
They Sell at or Above List Price
Selling homes quickly, however, is only part of what makes a great seller’s agent. You also want to look at whether or not they’re selling the homes at the original list price.
Agents who suggest that their sellers list at a high price may have to later go back and recommend that the sellers lower it. Those who understand how to correctly price a home are likely to get full-price offers fairly quickly.
What’s even better is when the agent recommends a great list price for a highly sought-after home. This can lead to a bidding war, and the seller walks away with an over-list offer. If you find an agent who often sells homes at list price or better, they know what they’re doing.
They’re Experienced
While it’s true that everyone has to start somewhere, you may not want to be the first client for a new real estate agent. These agents can have a lot of natural talent and the required education, but they may not have the experience necessary to make great deals.
This is especially true if you have a very tight budget or if you know the home you’re selling is going to require an experienced agent. Selling an exceptionally large and expensive home (relative to the area), for example, may be more complex or simply take longer since there are less people shopping in that price range. It takes a unique skillset and experience to close these kinds of deals.
An experienced real estate agent will have several years under their belt and will have worked with a wide range of clients and types of homes. That’s not to say that you should immediately reject anyone who hasn’t sold hundreds of homes, but you should look at your unique buying or selling needs and consider whether or not a fresh agent is up to the challenge.
They’re Available
Your agent is your partner in buying and/or selling a home. While it’s naïve to think that you’re their only client or that you have priority over all of the other clients they’re assisting, it’s not unreasonable to ask that they return phone calls, texts, and emails in a timely manner.
Their availability is critical when you’re negotiating with a seller or a potential buyer. Often, these deals have deadlines attached to them, and you may need to quickly consult with your agent before you sign any paperwork.
If you can’t get in contact with your agent, the process can become very stressful. Even if you can’t talk directly to your agent, you should be able to reach someone in their office.
They Have a Support Team
Speaking of offices, a good agent doesn’t work alone. They know that they’re just one person, and they can’t do everything the job requires. That’s why they have a support team. This includes more than just an assistant to make appointments.
They may have a closing coordinator who handles all of the paperwork related to inspections, due diligence, repairs, and the actual closing itself. Then, they may have open house experts who spend time showing homes on the weekends. Many even have another agent or two who can assist clients when their schedule gets too full.
They Have a Good Reputation
Between agents, lenders, inspectors, appraisers, and others, the real estate industry may seem like it’s made up of a variety of professionals doing many different things. The good news is that it’s really not that big of a “world”, especially if you’re not living in a large metro area.
You’ll likely find that your lender has at least heard of your real estate agent, and in most cases, they’ve worked together on a few transactions in the past. In fact, many agents have formed good working relationships with lenders and other professionals, and they work together to ensure that your experience is as smooth as possible.
If your lender doesn’t know your agent, don’t be overly concerned. It likely means they just haven’t crossed paths yet. You now have the opportunity to facilitate connecting two professionals in the real estate industry.
Have Confidence in Your Agent
Finding the right real estate agent doesn’t just help you sell your home faster or make the buying process easier—it helps you feel much more comfortable with the entire process. This trust is so important for first-time homebuyers who may feel lost and overwhelmed by the paperwork, requirements, and even the phrases used in real estate.
If you need an experienced agent on your side, you’ve come to the right place. The team at Florida Realty Marketplace includes experienced agents who are familiar with the Winter Haven real estate market. Contact us today to discuss your needs.