Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Buying a home requires making many important financial decisions, understanding complex issues and completing a lot of paperwork. It helps to have an expert in your corner. I would be thrilled to be your agent and to assist you in buying your new home. I can guide you through the process and give you access to home listings throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area. Whether you choose me as your agent or someone else, consider the following factors in your selection process:

• Full-Time Agents Only. Look for a FULL-TIME agent who has experience completing transactions similar to yours. Buying your home is too important to leave it in the hands of an agent who is not focused on the Washington DC area real estate market full time and who is not available to you as and when you need her. Choose an agent who has made real estate her career, and not only her part-time job or side hobby. Ask for a list of references.
   
• Recommended and Referred. Rely on recommendations and referrals from friends, family or colleagues. Your agent is providing a personal service - having a referral from a trusted source who has used that personal service provider before may be invaluable. However, it is still recommended that you interview even a well-recommended agent and ask many questions: Are they familiar with the area you are interested in? Are they responsive? Are they respectful of your needs? Do they follow through with all commitments? Will they listen to you? And, on a more personal note, is the agent someone with whom you feel comfortable? At the end of the day, you can find a top-notch agent with years of experience and excellent skills, but if you and that agent do not "click" for whatever reason, it will make the buying process even more stressful and difficult. You will likely be spending a lot of time together so be sure to choose someone who complements your style. Ask about the agent's credentials and education. A good agent will continually strive to improve and gain knowledge of the latest real estate trends and market conditions. Ask where the agent is licensed. Given that buyers often consider Washington DC as well as the close-in suburbs, it helps to have an agent who is licensed in each jurisdiction. But even if licensed, be sure that your agent is familiar with the particular areas that may interest you. Ask if your agent is a member of the National Association of Realtors (www.realtor.org) and any of the local real estate associations. Members of the National Association of Realtors are required to abide by a Code of Ethics designed to protect you, the client.
   
• Available and Committed. Ask how much time the agent will have for you. Find out in advance if you will be working with the agent herself or if you'll be handed off to her assistants or junior agents in her office. The assistants and other agents are certainly helpful resources, but be sure you are receiving the personalized attention from the highly-skilled agent you selected in the first place.
   
• Technical Expertise. Ask how the agent uses technology to aid in your home search. Is the agent computer-literate? Does she email listings or fax them? Is she available on a cell phone? Does she have access to the multiple-listing service? Does she respond to emails? Does she have a website with updated, useful information and a listing search feature?
   
• Services Provided. Ask the agent to describe what her role will be in your home purchasing process so that you have a complete understanding of what you can expect from her. Compare how she describes her role with how other agents you're interviewing describe their role. You may find that some agents will do more for you than others. Will you be required to sign an exclusive buyer's agency agreement? Some agents, like myself, do not require such a written commitment from the client, preferring instead to earn your business through committed hard work on your behalf. If your agent asks for you to sign such an agreement, be sure to read it carefully to fully understand your obligations and the obligations of your agent.
   
• Commissions and Fees. Discuss how your agent is paid a commission (usually paid by the seller at the time of settlement) and in what circumstances, if any, that you may be required to pay the agent her commission directly. Ask if there are any additional administrative fees that are charged by the agent or her broker. Some agents/brokerages charge their buyer clients a fee that is in addition to the commission that your agent will receive. This fee can be as much as several hundred dollars and is charged to defray the costs of document preparation, copying, etc. I do not charge an administrative fee to my clients.
   
• Proactive. Be sure your agent will remain proactive. As you start your search, you'll receive an initial batch of listings that meet your search criteria. But, new listings are entered into the multiple listing service daily. Ask if your agent will continue the search and provide you with daily updates of the new listings that might meet your search criteria until you find the right home.

For more information about my qualifications as a buyer's agent or to ask questions about the services I provide or the buying process generally, please feel free to contact me at any time.

© Nadia Nejaime, 2006