How to Find a Real Estate Agent When You're a First-Time Home Buyer

How to Find a Real Estate Agent When You’re a First-Time Home Buyer

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. From mortgage pre-approval to inspections, there are many moving parts, and of course, this process will be completely new to you. So having the right real estate agent will end up making the difference in a smooth process or a chaotic process. 

A good buyer’s agent will be able to explain each step clearly so that you can understand the market, protect you from costly mistakes, as well as negotiate on your behalf. With over 2 million licensed real estate agents in the U.S., it may feel hard to know where to begin. That’s why new buyers will try a variety of different options to find the right agents. Some options include looking for other first-time buyers to receive recommendations, reviewing agent reviews, and, to speed things along, many will use matching platforms such as RealEstateAgents.com. We’ll discuss in this article the different methods so you can start your process well-equipped. 

Seek recommendations from Family, Friends, and Neighbors

One of the easiest ways to start your search is by asking people you trust. If you know any friends or family members who have recently purchased a home, you can discuss with them their experience with their agent and whether that is someone they trust. It might be the case that they did not like their agent. If that is the case, we recommend reviewing why so you can remember what to look out for in your selection process. 

Outside of family and friends, you will also find neighbors to be a great resource. If any has purchased in your desired neighborhood, they might have a direct connection to the local agents and know who to recommend. These types of personal referrals can give you quite a bit of insight and especially on how an agent communicates. This will be one of the most important aspects you need to consider as a first-time home buyer. We still recommend interviewing every agent you consider and you can use our guide on what interview questions to ask.

Research Real Estate Agent Reviews

Referrals can be helpful, but sometimes you might not find what you are looking for. Or perhaps you’d like a deeper insight into the agents that are recommended to you. This is when you can check the reviews of an agent from past clients. When reading reviews from past clients, look beyond star ratings and pay attention to the details. Strong reviews will often mention if the agent was on time for all their appointments and showings, whether or not they were easy to reach by phone or text, and clear in their explanations throughout the process. Look for comments about the negotiation skills, how smoothly the closing went, or how well the agents handled any unexpected challenges, as this can reveal a lot about their professionalism. For first-time buyers especially, you should also look for reviews that highlight patience and willingness to answer questions are important. 

Confirm that the Agent had Local Market Knowledge

In every market, you’ll find that there is a difference in several factors. From the local school district to stand-out nightlife. The right agent will understand the details that you are looking for in your dream neighborhood. They will be able to explain average home prices, how quickly properties are selling, and what makes an offer stand out. For first-time buyers, this guidance and understanding from the agent is essential when working through the process and learning how to navigate a competitive market. Make sure to discuss what you are looking for and see if the agent is knowledgeable in that specific area. 

Make Sure the Agent Works with First-time Buyers

Not all agents have experience or focus on the same type of clients. You’ll find that some specialize in luxury listings while others prefer investment properties. This is why it's essential, as a first-time buyer, to choose an agent who specializes in helping individuals make their first purchase, as the experience is quite different. The agents who focus on first-time buyers will be more patient, prioritize the client’s understanding, ensure questions are answered, and be more adept at explaining each step of the process. 

Understand Costs and Agreements

There is an advantage for buyers in that the seller will typically pay the commission for both their agent and yours. This means you can benefit from the agent’s service at no additional cost. Even so, you’ll likely still sign a buyer’s agreement, which will outline what services you’ll receive and how long you’re committing to work with them. A reputable agent will explain this clearly before you sign, and always remember to review the documents. 

Pay Attention to the Agent’s Communication

There is a steep learning curve with purchasing a home, so you’ll want someone who communicates well. Pay attention to how quickly they respond when you reach out to them and how clearly they can explain the process. When discussing with the agent, you can ask yourself, “Do they answer questions patiently?” and  “Do you feel comfortable with them?

Apply for Recommendation on RealEstateAgents.com

It can easily feel like a stressful process looking through different agent reviews as well as asking for recommendations, especially if there are none that you end up liking. A great way to take the stress out of the process is by using ReaEstateAgents.com to take the stress out of the process by vetting the agents for you. Its a very simply process, you simple answer a few questions such as where you’re looking to purchase and at what price, and the system will use its AI matching process to find you top performing agents in the area that you’re looking for, who already have performed well in the area, licenses in good standing, and have shown that their clients are satisfied with their experience. 

More than [Insert total number of matches] have come to the platform and trusted it to match them with clients. They have received their curated list of real estate agents to assist in their process and thus saved weeks from searching. 

Final Thoughts

Finding the right real estate agent as a first-time buyer can feel overwhelming at first. Looking for referrals from people you trust, confirm the agent’s reputation through reviews and to simplify the process you can take advantage of RealEstateAgents.com to simplify the whole process. When you have a great agent that is vetted by your side in the process, you’ll feel guided and protected, with the confidence you need to make your first home purchase a success.