Buying a home in the Vail Valley and Cordillera area could easily be the biggest financial transaction you will make. So, you will want to make sure you have a knowledgeable real estate agent by your side to help guide you through this process. You will want to make sure you have someone who can help you every step of the way, no matter what happens, and finds the right buyer or home for you. Buying or selling a house can be so complicated (especially the paperwork) and expensive, which makes having the right agent in your corner a must! You will want to make sure you take your time and interview your Realtor. There are no right or wrong questions to ask, but I find some clients are quite sure where to start when interviewing. So here are my top 5 questions you should ask a real estate agent before you hire them!
How Long Have You Been A Realtor In This Market Area?
You know you’re on the right track to finding the right Realtor for you when you find someone who has worked full time in your market area for at least 4 years! This means they know this market area very well and know the layout and amenities that are important to you and your family when it comes to purchasing your home. This agent has learned things you can only learn on the job as a full-time agent. I have been working in this market area for 17 years. This proves my track record of success in the Vail Valley and Cordillera area!
What Qualities Or Certifications Set You Apart From Other Agents?
An experienced agent stays on top of changes in tax and zoning laws that may affect you and the purchase or sale of your home. Agents can continue to learn and grow and can have several certifications. This is one of the questions you should ask a real estate agent so you can see which qualifications or certifications they have! You can oftentimes find a list of these on their website. I, for example, have earned the Global Luxury Certified Home Specialist, Graduate Record Institute (GRI) and ePro designations.
How Will You Help Us With The Sale Or Purchase Of Our Home?
It’s important for your real estate agent to have a full understanding of what is happening in the market right now. I put out a bi-monthly market report on the Vail Valley real estate market that helps my clients understand what is going on. You need someone who knows the community inside and out the way I do. Also, you will want someone who is an excellent negotiator. If you are looking to sell you will want to know how to accurately price your home for a quick sale. And you’ll want a real estate agent who can help you judge which of the offers you receive is best for you. You could also ask them about what marketing techniques they use, both online and offline, to attract buyers to your home.
How Will We Communicate?
This is another one of the important questions you should ask a real estate agent. If you aren’t able to have open and effective communication you could miss the perfect home or a potential buyer. A good real estate agent will ask you what you prefer and then communicate with you that way. This can be through text, emails, phone calls or even social media messages. Chances are you will find yourself communicating all of these ways!
Who Can I Contact For References or Testimonials?
When researching who the right Realtor is for you, you can ask for references or find past clients’ reviews or testimonials. Sometimes these will be on the generic real estate websites like Realtor or Zillow, but you should also check if the real estate agent has their own website. I have multiple testimonials on my website so that potential clients can see how people felt about working with me. I think this helps give people an idea of how I work as an agent and what kind of work I’ve done in the past.
How Can I Help?
If you want or need any more guidance in choosing the right real estate agent for you, please reach out! I want to provide my clients with interesting and up-to-date information so they can make informed decisions. If you think that my expertise and positive attitude might be of service to you then please contact me.Would you like more information on the Vail Valley/Cordillera area or the real estate market specifically? To receive my detailed monthly market report immediately, click here!
Robert Schilling
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Specialist
Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties
(970) 390-0705
[email protected]