Here’s the deal:
Whether you are looking to buy or sell a property, it can be quite a complex process. To be sure that you’re making the right decision, lots of people decide to go through a real estate agent.
There are many different real estate agents out there. Finding the right one for you can therefore prove to be tricky. It is important, however, to go for a qualified, trusting professional. Knowing how to find the right real estate agent involves considering various factors.
To help you make the best choice for your real estate project, our REMAX real estate agents at Courtier Immobilier Lanaudière will explain how to choose the right real estate agent for you.
Why do I need a real estate agent?
Before anything else, it’s important to know why you should contact a real estate agent. It’s actually important to understand the significance of this professional in order to get to know what factors to consider when selecting your own real estate agent.
A real estate agent is a strong ally throughout your project. Equipped with a good understanding of the housing market, it is their job to find you good deals and help you to sell at the best prices. Their legal expertise and network of contacts are also valuable tools that they put at your disposal.
To make sure you’re aware, there are two types of real estate agent: cooperating brokers and listing brokers. The first of these is useful when buying a house. The role of a cooperating real estate agent is to help you find the best property and also to negotiate the best price for you. Listing brokers work for the sales side. They take care of the administrative tasks, house sales and market value assessments.
To find yourself a real estate agent, you first need to make sure you’re looking for the right type of agent, depending on whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property.
How to choose a realtor: things to consider
Whether you’re searching for a cooperating or listing estate agent, there are many factors to consider. Qualifications, expertise, experience: here’s a list of everything you should take into consideration before committing to someone.
The OACIQ brokerage permit
The OACIQ (Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec) is Quebec’s real-estate regulation authority. It is therefore important to check that your real estate agent’s OACIQ licence is valid.
All real estate agents in Quebec must have this type of permit. You must have gone through 500 hours of training followed by an exam to obtain the latest version of this. This permit solidifies the real estate agent’s expertise and legitimacy so they qualify to work in Quebec’s real estate sector.
Therefore, if you want to avoid any issues, you must find a real estate agent who has a valid permit.
Check out the real estate agent’s reviews
A second useful factor to look at when choosing a real estate agent is their reviews. In addition to what the real estate agent says about themselves, what opinions Google has of them and what they write on their website, there are recognized ratings used to judge their expertise.
The quality of customer service certification (QSC) is a review you can trust. Recognized by the Fédération des Chambres Immobilières du Québec, this certification means that at least 75% of the estate agent’s clients have been satisfied with their service. The data comes from a survey sent to their clients after the transaction.
Bear in mind however that a real estate agent who doesn’t possess this certification isn’t necessarily bad. This certification is especially common amongst national companies. A local estate agent won’t always have this certification.
Choose an available real estate agent
In the search for a real estate agent, lots of people want to go for a popular, widely recognized agent. Although their expertise is evident in this case, this isn’t always a good idea. And it’s all for this simple reason: their availability.
In fact, a highly requested, popular real estate agent hasn’t always got lots of time for their clients. Having lots of projects on the go at once can force them to reduce the amount of time that they spend with each client. Thus, availability is an essential factor to consider when searching for a real estate agent.
They need to be on standby to respond to your many questions and inquiries about different properties for sale, for instance. Because beyond the service that they provide, working with a real estate agent is about forming a human, trusting relationship with them throughout the whole process.
Question the experience of the real estate agent
When you begin to talk to different real estate agents, it is important to ask all the questions that come to mind. It’s especially important to ask those related to their prior experience and expertise.
In order to find a real estate agent, it is absolutely fine to ask them how many sales they have concluded in the last six months, how many projects have they previously carried out, or even how long they have been in the profession.
It is better to ask too many questions than not enough. Although there’s many other factors to consider when choosing a real estate agent, their expertise and experience are definitely the most important criteria to consider.
Choose a real estate agent who knows the area
This might sound obvious to some people, but it is important that you choose a real estate agent who works in your region. In order to conclude a good sale or purchase, they must understand the local market and its particularities. For instance, it goes without saying that the Lanaudière region is nothing like Montreal.
We therefore advise against finding a real estate agent who usually works in a different zone to the one where your real estate project is taking place. An estate agent from a local agency which has been in business for a long time will be far more equipped than an estate agent from a larger company who usually works in another area.
Compare real estate agents before choosing
Just like choosing any other service, finding a real estate agent is a bit of a comparing and waiting game. Don’t just go for the first estate agent that seems like they’d be able to help with your project.
It is important to discuss with different professionals before committing. Take your time and compare the different estate agent services available to you, their fees, and their levels of expertise.
By doing all of that, you will be able to find the right real estate agent for your project, according to the criteria outlined in this article and your budget! 😊
Find a real estate agent who suits your needs with Courtier Immobilier Lanaudière
Knowing how to find the right real estate agent takes time and isn’t as simple as it seems. There’s a number of factors to consider. Other than their expertise and experience, the area and the real estate agent’s personality are also important.
If you want to carry out a real estate project in the Lanaudière region, contact Courtier Immobilier Lanaudière today. Guillaume Tremblay’s team of REMAX brokers is an excellent group of individuals who can help you complete a purchase or sale of a property.
Contact us now! Our team will be happy to meet with you and hear about your project. Building a relationship of trust with our customers is essential for us. We therefore make sure to get to know you properly!
