Buying a house can be a stressful endeavor when you aren’t working with the best agent. But when you’re buying from out of state, things only get more stressful and more difficult. Typically, out-of-state buyers are at a distinct disadvantage because they are not familiar with the area and the market where they’re buying. That’s why it’s so critically important to have a good real estate agent in your corner. So here’s how to find the best agent to work with when buying a house in Atlanta from out of state.
Why You Need the Best Agent When Buying a Atlanta House From Out of State
But before we get into how to find the best agent, let’s take a look at why you need that best Atlanta agent. It can make a huge difference in the final outcome.
Here’s what industry pros have to say about the matter: “A good real estate agent doesn’t just help you find your dream home. They also advocate for you throughout the buying process. They can suggest a reasonable starting offer and help you build a competitive offer in a hot market. Because they’ve seen so many deals succeed – and fail – an agent can provide perspective if you lose out on your dream house or the inspection process turns up some major red flags.”
Some of the important things a good Atlanta agent can assist you with include negotiating the best purchase price and negotiating seller concessions like making repairs and/or paying closing costs. But those are, really, basic expectations for what your agent should do. More important is that your agent will always be looking out for your best interests so that you can always trust her.
Tips for Finding the Best Agent in Atlanta
Now, let’s see what you can do to ensure you choose the best agent to work with when buying a house in Atlanta.
ASK YOUR FORMER AGENT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
If you’ve bought a house in the past, then you most likely worked with an agent, and that agent can be a great resource. Your agent may have contacts in the Atlanta area and so will be able to recommend good agents in the area.
“Another agent,” experts say, “may be able to steer you toward reputable real estate agencies or may even know a local agent who would be perfect for you. . . . [W]henit comes to the buying experience, a fellow agent may have a different take on what makes someone great at their job. Getting their professional opinion can help you take a well-rounded view of all your options.”
GET RECOMMENDATIONS FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Although susceptible to subjectivity and personal likes/dislikes, getting recommendations from family and friends remains an important part of finding the best agent to work with when buying a house in Atlanta from out of state. So before you start Googling, talk to people you know and trust.
Word-of-mouth recommendations still matter, and here’s why: “Your friends and family will tell you things you won’t find on an agent’s website – like whether they were responsive to emails and texts, how proactive they were about recommending listings, and their general demeanor. . . . The people closest to you have an instinct for the personalities with whom you’re most likely to gel, and they can give you the inside scoop on what it’s like to work with a particular agent.”
Your agent has to have knowledge of and experience working in the local markets in Atlanta. You also have to be able, as we mentioned, to trust your agent. Family and friends who have worked with the agents are best positioned to judge these attributes and capabilities.
PERUSE ONLINE REVIEWS
And don’t forget to visit reputable third-party review sites in your efforts to find the best agent in Atlanta. After you’ve gotten some recommendations, then hit the reviews.
According to the experts, you should look for the following when perusing reviews:
- “Does this agent have rave reviews?”
- “Are they known for making deals happen?”
- “Are they emotionally and logistically supportive?”
- “Do buyers say they responded quickly to questions?”
- “Do they typically work with buyers in your demographic?”
CONDUCT INTERVIEWS
One of your best tools for finding the best agent to work with when buying a house in Atlanta from out of state will be the interviews – and in-person if at all possible. Keep in mind that you’re not just hiring the agent, but also entering into a business relationship. And, as with any relationship, it has to be a good fit on both sides.
Experts recommend that you interview at least three agents. In those interviews you should ask about:
- The kinds of properties they specialize in
- The kinds of clients they usually work with
- Their working style and availability for communication
TAKE YOUR TIME
The process of finding the best agent in Atlanta to meet your needs can be a pretty big job that entails quite a bit of time and effort. The temptation, then, is to rush through it to get it over with as soon as possible.
But you shouldn’t do that. “This is such an important relationship, it’s worth taking the time to figure out who is best suited to represent you and who you’ll want to work with throughout a thrilling – but also stressful and emotional – process.”
If you truly do want to find the best agent in Atlanta for your needs, give us a call. We have experienced local agents who can assist you from out of state. Call us today at (404) 977-5054 or send us a message any time!