Finding the ideal realtor to help you achieve your Huntington Beach real estate goals is both a difficult and important decision. Huntington Beach has many active agents, and you’ve likely come across countless advertisements for their services. The question then becomes: who do you choose, and what do you base your decision on?
Huntingon Beach is both a thriving and a challenging real estate market. With limited space, competition for housing is intense.
Experience Matters
With the high stakes involved in buying or selling your property, there are many factors to consider. Moreover, Huntington Beach is a very popular real estate market. With pricing trends in constant motion, shifting demographics, a considerable amount of new construction, and a myriad of renovations, it’s a challenging market to master.
An effective Huntington Beach realtor should have a deep understanding of the intricacies, nuances, and challenges unique to the local market. Such an understanding can only be acquired the good old fashioned way - through years and years of hard work helping buyers and sellers close successful transactions.
Universal Guidelines
Fortunately, there are various universal guidelines for finding a great Realtor in any area, including Huntington Beach. Follow these to exponentially increase your chances of finding an agent that meets, and even exceeds your expectations.
Referrals & Testimonials
There is no better predictor of future performance than past performance- a principle that applies to virtually all professions. The single most effective way to measure a prospective agent’s professional performance is through past client referrals and testimonials. There are many ways to go about getting this vital information.
When considering a Realtor, start by researching their online presence. More specifically, read what past clients have to say about working with that agent. You can start by visiting their personal website, and looking for a testimonials page. Social media is another great source for testimonials. Professional Facebook pages typically include client reviews. Other valuable platforms to gather this information include Google+, Yelp, Angie’s List, and all the big real estate portals.
Past client referrals and testimonials are key to assessing a Realtor's reputation.
An effective and experienced Huntington Beach Realtor will invariably have a long list of testimonials from happy clients on various digital platforms. Think of the qualities you want in your Realtor - honesty, integrity, perseverance - and see if they match up with the experiences clients describe.
Don’t be afraid to take your research a step further and ask for personal referrals. A successful agent should not hesitate to let you personally speak with past clients, so you can get personal insight into their qualifications.
When talking to a past client, be sure to ask the right questions and get specific information. Was the client a buyer or a seller? If a buyer, did the agent negotiate assertively to secure a favorable purchase price? If a seller, did the agent sell the home for asking price, or close to asking price? Did the transaction go smoothly? Did the agent make himself available by maintaining an open line of communication?
Prepare your questions in advance, and speak to multiple references whenever possible. It will give you a more rounded view of agent performance buying or selling Huntington Beach properties.
Verify Licensure
California requires all real estate agents and brokers to obtain a Realtor’s license. Before hiring a Huntington Beach Realtor, it’s essential that you verify their licensure.
The California Association of Realtors is a state-level governing body that sets professional standards and grants licenses.
A real estate license is a sort of assurance that your agent will perform ethically in representing your home sale or purchase. A license binds agents to rules, regulations, and guidelines designed to ensure honest business practices. When working with a licensed agent, you know they will be held accountable for any professional deviations.
Beyond the state license, more experienced Realtors will have certifications for various specialities within the real estate industry - luxury real estate, retirement communities, probate properties, representing buyers, representing sellers, and many more. If your Realtor possesses multiple certifications and licensure, it indicates a passion to learn and improve - positive qualities in any professional.
Communication Skills are Essential
When it comes to finding the right Huntington Beach Realtor, it’s essential they have exceptional communication skills. Buying or selling real estate is an often arduous process, with constant back and forth communication between client, agent, and multiple third parties.
If your Realtor lacks good communication skills, or is difficult to get a hold of, run the other way! Poor communication skills can make an inherently stressful process virtually unmanageable.
Good communication skills are a must when considering a Realtor.
An agent who communicates well also listens well, and will always act in tune with your priorities. Moreover, they will make themselves available to address any emerging concerns, and keep you updated with all pertinent information.
When it comes to dealing with third parties, a strong communicator will clearly articulate your interests, and won’t shy away from contentious exchanges to make sure they are protected.
Get In Touch
Are you interested in purchasing or selling Huntington Beach real estate, but have not found the right Realtor? At I Love OC Homes, we enjoy a stellar track record representing buyers and sellers throughout the community. We’ll be happy to provide you with client referrals, testimonials, and past transaction details, so you know you’re working with someone you can trust and rely on. Get in touch today and let’s start the journey toward a fruitful partnership.