How To Contact A Real Estate Agent

While exciting, the home buying/selling process can be complicated. Working with a variety of experts trained in the process will set you up for success. This means working with a lender on getting preapproved for a loan and working with a real estate agent to find that perfect house.

Here, we will focus on how to contact a real estate agent who can help you during the entire home buying/selling process. This includes explaining why you need one, what to look for when you are interviewing them, and the best ways to get started working with them.

What Is A Real Estate Agent, And Do You Need One?

So, what is a real estate agent? Well, there are a number of different kinds, with varying levels of expertise. Some operate as a seller’s agent (also known as a listing agent), which means they help people sell their homes. Others work as a buyer’s agent, meaning they help people find and purchase their next home. Some real estate agents work as both buyer’s and seller’s agents, which is convenient if you are selling your home and buying a new home at the same time.

Another designation to look for is  “REALTOR^®.” This refers to a real estate agent who is certified by the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR). This means they have gone through extensive training and education and have agreed to a code of ethics established by NAR.

Good agents can help you navigate the local real estate market by providing insights on sales prices, home inventory, and myriad other points of information that will help you during your home search. 

You don’t need a real estate agent to buy a home, but it’s a good idea to seriously consider using one. They have the experience and expertise to guide you through a complicated and sometimes even treacherous process.

In addition, using an agent to buy a home usually doesn’t cost you anything. Sellers pay real estate agent commissions for most transactions, not buyers.

5 Things To Do Before Contacting A Real Estate Agent

If you decide to use a real estate agent for your home search or to sell your house, you need to do some prep work before reaching out to them. Here are a few key steps to take:

1. Review Your Finances

Before any big financial endeavor, taking a close look at your finances is always a good idea. If you are selling your home, this means looking at the amount you owe on your mortgage and analyzing the cost to sell your house. That way, you will know how much profit you’re going to make when you find a buyer. This usually will influence how much you’re going to be able to spend on your next home if you’re starting a home search after selling.

If you’re buying a home, look at your monthly budget as well as your savings to get an idea of how much you want to spend on your next home. Also, work with a lender to get preapproved for a loan before reaching out to a real estate agent. The agent will be better able to serve you if they know the price range you are comfortable with.

2. Study Your Local Real Estate Market

Studying your local market is critical whether you are using a real estate agent or not. If you know the neighborhood you’d like to be in (or where you are selling your home) look up recent sales to understand how much houses are going for.

Ask your agent if the current market is a seller’s market, a buyer’s market, or a balanced market. A seller’s market is when buyer demand is high, inventory is low, and home prices are high. A buyer’s market is where inventory is high and home prices are low. A balanced market is where the number of buyers looking and the number of homes available are pretty equal and home prices are going at fair market value.

Knowing what type of market you are dealing with can help you prepare. If it’s a buyer’s market and you are looking to sell, you might want to wait until you can get top dollar. If it is a seller’s market and you are looking to buy, you might want to wait to avoid getting into bidding wars and overpaying.

3. Research The Top Real Estate Agents In The Local Market  

When it comes to selecting the right real estate agent, don’t settle. Research the top real estate professionals in the local market. There are a number of online real estate agent directories available to help people find agents in their local area.

Once you find a real estate agent, look into their credentials, check out their website and scroll through their social media to see how they do business. This is a good start in terms of seeing if they might be a good fit for you.

4. Check The License And Credentials Of The Agent

The top real estate agents, brokers and REALTORS^® have state licenses and disciplinary certificates. Don’t take their word for it though. Check the website of your state’s real estate governing bodies to determine if the agent’s real estate license and credentials are legitimate.

5. Choose A Few Agents To Interview

When it’s time to select an agent to work with, interview a few so you have some options. During the interview, tell them your unique home buying or selling story and ask them how they approach real estate transactions.

They should be able to describe their approach to the entire process, tell you what makes them different than other agents, and give you a good sense of what it will be like working with them. Beyond that, sometimes it just comes down to the vibe you get from them. Does your gut tell you that working with them will be a good fit?

How To Reach Out To A Real Estate Agent: Communication Methods

Understanding how to contact a REALTOR^® or real estate agent is the next step in the process. Luckily, there are a plethora of ways to reach out, so you can choose the communication method you’re most comfortable with. Remember, you are setting a precedent with the way you reach out to them first. You can of course change the way you communicate later in the process, but usually, the first method you use becomes the default.

1. Write An Email

Email is a great way to reach out because you can include a long introduction describing what you are looking for. Consider including a bulleted list of your “must-haves” and “nice to haves” when it comes to the home buying or selling process. Be as specific as you can with your timeline as well and let the agent know when and how you’d like them to follow up.

2. Send A Text

For a quick intro and to set up a time to talk more, texting is effective. This isn’t the communication medium to do a long intro or complete list of your wants and needs, but texts are more likely to be received and responded to in a timely manner than emails. Start with a quick hello, brief sentences about what you are trying to accomplish, and a suggestion for the next steps.

3. Call The Real Estate Agent

If you’re comfortable calling, this is really one of the best ways to reach out to an agent. It allows you to get a sense of their personality and work style right away. Phone calls are becoming a bit of a lost art with the advent of so many new communication technologies, but hearing the tone and inflection of the person on the other end can tell you a lot. At the very least, it will tell you if they answer their phone or return calls promptly, which will be a critical point of interest throughout the home buying and/or selling process.

4. Make A Video Call

Want to get to know them even better than over the phone? Do a video call. Zoom and other video call platforms are easy to use and free. Seeing the facial expressions of an agent as you ask questions and describe what you are looking for can be invaluable. For example, if you ask them a question and they look confused as they answer, they might not have the level of expertise you are looking for.

5. Use Social Media

If you are already researching an agent on social media, sometimes the most convenient way to reach out is then and there. Use a direct message to set up a call or ask what number/email you can use to tell them more about what you are looking for.

4 Tips On How To Talk To A Real Estate Agent

Once you decide how you want to reach out to an agent, be prepared before you communicate. Here are some tips to help make sure you get the most out of your initial communications.

1. Be Direct About Your Terms

Let them know upfront about how comfortable you are regarding exclusivity with an agent. If you are just looking for some information before you commit, tell them that. If you are ready to sign a listing or buying contract with them, tell them that too. Remember, once a contract is signed, it’s expected that you will only work with that agent and not communicate with other agents.

2. Determine How You Want To Communicate

Establish the communication method you want to use with them throughout the process (email, text, etc.). This might change depending on what situations arise. For example, if they are sending you the address for a showing, texting might work fine. In contrast, if they want to discuss a long document like an inspection report, a phone call might work better. Tell them how often you would like to be updated about how things are going as well.

3. Be Clear About What You Want

Do you have deal-breakers when it comes to buying your next home? Do you want to receive updates about potential buyers for your home daily? These are the types of preferences you should let your agent know about from the start. Set clear expectations so everyone knows what success looks like.

4. Ask Questions

If you don’t understand something, ask questions. If you think you understand something but aren’t sure, ask questions. Heck, even if you understand everything, ask questions. Good communication comes from making sure everything is crystal clear and the only way to ensure that is to ask lots and lots of questions.

If you are not sure what to ask in the beginning, here are a few good questions to start with:

• What will the process look like?
• How do you approach the home search/home selling process?
• What experience do you have with clients with needs similar to ours?
• What is your approach if something goes wrong?

When Should You Contact a Real Estate Agent About Buying Or Selling Your House?

Like most things in life, timing is everything when it comes to selling or buying a home. Here is the appropriate time to contact an agent during the home buying process as well as the home selling process.

Buying

When you are seriously considering moving and have a buying timeline in mind, it’s time to talk to a real estate agent. Don’t wait until after beginning the house search, because an agent can be a great resource during that part of the home buying process. It can take time, so be sure to reach out to an agent 4 – 6 months before your target closing date.

Selling

When selling a home, reach out to an agent as soon as you are seriously considering selling and have a timeline planned out. They can help assess the home’s condition and what it will take to get it ready to sell. They can also let you know the speed of the current real estate market and you can adjust your timeline accordingly.

The Bottom Line

Knowing when to reach out to a real estate agent and the best way to do it is essential to a successful home search. In addition, knowing the right questions to ask and always having an open line of communication will set you up for the best outcome possible. Check out this link to learn more about working with a real estate agent.