Finding a good real estate agent in Portland can be daunting. So what are the steps on picking the right real estate agent who fit your needs?
Many local large real estate brokers will spend thousands of dollars each month to ensure that their agents are the most visible, whether it be online, in the Yellow Pages, or by renting giant billboards in the highly trafficked areas of Portland.
However, the agents backed by the most promotion dollars aren’t always necessarily the best, and may not be a good fit for your circumstances. In today’s post, we are going to talk about how to pick the right agent you can trust and work with in Portland.
[NOTE: If you need to sell your Portland house ASAP and can’t wait for the 3-6 months+ it usually takes to sell a home on the local market… we may be able to help by buying your house from you. We can make you an all-cash offer within 24 hours on your house in as-is condition. ]
How To Find A Good Real Estate Agent In Portland – Read Reviews… Real Reviews
Online reviews of real estate agents can be easily manipulated and oftentimes, they are a little more than paid advertisements. It is important to get honest reviews on any agent that you are considering, and any reputable agent will be more than happy to provide you with referrals from their recent clients.
Reviews are also one of the best ways to see how any real estate professional does out in the marketplace.
One way to check an agent out is by hitting Google and type in “[name of agent] reviews” and see what pops up in the search. If you see a bunch of bad reviews on websites like Yelp, Zillow, etc… see if the agent tried to engage with those negative reviewers online to resolve the situation.
Ask the Right Questions
Interview potential agents (or better yet, their former clients) and ask the following questions to gauge the agent’s skills and ability to represent you as a buyer or a seller:
- Was there any part of the process of buying or selling a home that clients were particularly pleased or displeased with?
- What was the asking price?
- What was the sales price?
- What properties have you worked with in my location?
- What about similarly sized properties?
It’s important to choose a seasoned agent who has experience working with homes similar to yours and knows the neighborhoods inside and out.
Check The Real Estate Agent’s Credentials
Check with your state’s real estate regulatory authority to verify the agent’s licensing. While on the website, you are also often able to look into regulatory actions and complaints against the agent, if any.
You should also ask the agent how long they have been buying and selling homes. If they are representing an agency, ask how long they’ve been with that particular agency, and their history with other firms.
As in many cases, a house represents a majority of your net worth and you would want to work with a real estate agent that understands your needs and will advocate for you through the entire process. Regular and timely communication can ensure you get the best experience possible. A top-quality agent will be able to answer questions such as these:
- How many inquiries have been made about my home?
- How many of these inquiries are likely to submit an offer (not just window shoppers)?
- Are there other properties in the neighborhood that are for sale and if so, what are the asking prices of those homes?
Ask How They Plan On Selling Your House
Sometimes going the direct route is the best route. In the case of looking for a local Portland, OR real estate agent, ask them how they intend on selling your house for you that the other agents in town won’t do and see what their answer is. You would want to work with an agent whom you are comfortable with and can trust.
Usually, the great ones have an actual marketing plan and will get your house out there and on the market in a big way.
When Low Priced Isn’t Always The Best Route
Often times, Portland, OR home sellers want to go with the lowest priced option.
Take a look at these numbers for example: if a real estate agent is earning 3% commission on a $100,000 sale… that’s $3,000 in fees just to 1 real estate agent (usually both agents – one representing the buyer and the other the seller – earn commission) and it isn’t cheap. So before you go with a cut-rate agent or a flat-fee agent, do your research thoroughly, as it usually means that the service you’re getting is also a lower level service.
Some of the top real estate agents in Portland have great marketing systems and are able to sell homes faster and for higher prices. So even if you are able to find someone to sell your house at a 1.5% fee, make sure you have examined thoroughly whether it will help you save money in the long term.
The same goes for selling your house to a local real estate investor like SCAL Real Estate LLC. The highest-priced offer isn’t always the best. Analyze the terms of the deal the investor offers you. In particular, ensure they can close on-time because every month that goes by costs you money (your mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.) to hold the property.
It is needless to say that you should avoid low-quality real estate agents. These could be “rookies” who would do anything to make their first sale including leaving dollars on the table. A good real estate can make selling your home an extremely smooth experience and will work in your best interest.
So go out there and start your research to find a reputable local real estate agent.
If you need to sell your house fast… we’d love to make you an all-cash fair offer on your house in as-is condition.
We can make you a no-obligation offer in 24 hours or less and you can weigh that option against going with a realtor.
Just click the link below and fill out the short form on the next page to get the painless process rolling.