What to Look for in a Buyer’s Agent?

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Experience. Purchasing a home will be the biggest financial commitment you will most likely ever make—so make sure you have someone on your side with an incredible amount of experience in the home buying process. Look for a real estate agent who has reliable testimonials from previous clients, someone who knows the varying areas of the city, an agent who has been to the closing table more than he’s been to the grocery store in the past month.

Knowledge. Homes in Atlanta come in all sizes and in varying neighborhood styles. You need an agent who knows the different neighborhoods beyond just the types of homes for sale. A knowledgeable real estate agent will know information about the area schools, local restaurants and shops, traffic flows around the area, and community events. Don’t settle for an agent who doesn’t have all the facts and information as you look for a new home.

Keen Eye. Your real estate agent should have the ability to pinpoint any problems or issues that might exist in the home—everything from potential defaults in the home to finishing touches that make the home unique or special. In addition, a great realtor will be able to see the promise in the home. Make suggestions of how you might be able to improve or expand the home to meet your needs over time.

Loyalty. Meeting with your real estate agent should be an enjoyable experience and you should feel comfortable voicing any concerns or desires for your new home. Navigating the real estate purchasing process doesn’t just end with finding a home, you need someone who will work with you and be on your side during price negotiations and closing contracts.

Referrals. One of the greatest compliments and signs of success a real estate agent can have is referrals. A satisfied client is one who calls their buyer’s agent to help them when they are ready to move from their home again. So be sure to ask for references or visit the real estate agent’s web site for testimonials from past clients.


What to look for in a Listing Agent?


newlistingsign_500Experience. Selling your home in this housing market can be a stressful and complicated venture. Changing market conditions, new marketing techniques, numerous listing sites, and competitive pricing are just a few of the hurdles one might face in the process. You should be able to rely upon the expertise and experience of your listing agent. Jason Lapene Realty’s dedicated agents are well-versed in the process of selling a home in this unstable market. Don’t risk facing this challenge alone and without guidance from a professional. You want to be working with the best—this is your future.

Knowledge. Your listing agent should be able to educate you about the comparable home sales in your neighborhood and help you set the right price for your home. The next step in selling your home is highlighting the key marketing points of your home—a knowledgeable agent will know what facts to highlight about your home. You wouldn’t want to promise potential buyers that your home fell in one school district, if it didn’t. A truly knowledgeable agent will know how the entire real estate process works from listing your home to sitting with you at the closing table and representing your best interests.

Creativity. How a home is marketed dictates how many potential buyers will see it. Your listing agent should have a keen understanding of the marketing process beyond just placing your home on the MLS website. Jason Lapene Realty specializes in online marketing that ensures that your property will be seen by more potential buyers than other agents can offer. Our creative marketing plan provides the traditional strategies such as brochures, basic internet listings, and newspaper advertisements, but we also take the marketing plan a step further with our technical marketing background such as search engine optimization that helps to bring your home to the forefront of potential buyer searches.

Advice. You should feel comfortable speaking to your realtor about how best to present your home to potential buyers. Your  Jason Lapene Realty listing agent might suggest staging techniques to enhance the designs of your home and the potential uses for space. Not only should your agent give you advice on the interior of your home, but look to them for information on how to best landscape the exterior of your home. Curb appeal can be what sells a home—a new flowerbed, coat of paint on the front door, clipped shrubs, or carefully placed patio furniture all can improve the look of your home.

Communication. Your dedicated Real Estate Agent from Jason Lapene Realty will ensure that you are a part of the sales process. Following each open house or showing, your real estate agent will work to gather feedback from the buyer’s agent. What did the potential buyers like and dislike about your home? How can the home’s value be increased in their eyes? These are just a few of the questions that we will seek to have answered and then communicate to you. Your listing agent’s job is not to simply put up a sign in your yard and place your home listing on a few websites. Whether you need to reach us by phone, email, or face-to-face you should feel confident in your ability to contact and communicate with your agent.

 

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