Routing # 256078446
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How to Find the Best Real Estate Agent
What you'll learn: Everything you need to know about finding the best real estate agent.
EXPECTED READ TIME: 3 MINUTES
January 5, 2021 | Updated December 23, 2024
Buying or selling a home can feel like a huge job, even for those who are already familiar with the process. That is why it is important to take your time building your homebuying and selling dream team, starting with a reliable real estate agent.
A trustworthy real estate agent can be a key component to reducing your homebuying workload. The right agent may even be able to help you save time and provide access to great deals that save you money, too. Use the guide below to help you choose the agent who is right for you.
How to find a real estate agent?
- Start by asking your lender for assistance. A fantastic resource at your disposal when on the hunt for the best real estate agent is your mortgage lender. Some lenders work closely with nationwide networks of agents and not only will these agents have prior involvement working directly with your lender, but it is likely some lenders can hasten your search by narrowing down the list of potential agents to those with experience handling cases similar to yours. For example, if you are a buyer using a Veterans Affairs (VA) loan for your home purchase, it will be important to work with a real estate agent who specializes in VA real estate transactions due to the property requirements.
Choosing an agent preferred by your lender can also open the door to money saving deals or save you more time, whether you are buying or selling a home.
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Search in the neighborhood itself. Location matters when choosing a real estate agent, and you will benefit from picking an agent who knows your target neighborhood well. In just a few minutes, you can poll the neighborhood without asking a single question, getting local intel from others who have been in your shoes.
While you are out, write down any information you see about local open houses and attend them. You will learn more from watching an agent interact with buyers than you would by reading their profile online. If you like what you see, introduce yourself and ask to set up a short interview.
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Interview three or more agents. Arrange phone calls or brief in-person interviews, if possible, with those on your final list of candidates. You are going to be working closely with your eventual choice, so it is important that you speak with them before signing a contract. Prepare a list of questions before your first interview and ask each agent the same questions so you can compare their answers later. If an agent cannot make time for an interview, it is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but take this into consideration when making your final choice. You want to find someone who prioritizes your concerns. If they do not at the beginning, that is often a pretty good indicator of what is to come.
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Ask for references and contact them. At the end of each of your interviews, ask for references you can contact for more information. Ideally, these references will be recent—within the last twelve months. Call them to learn about their experience working with the agent. You can ask them what they liked, as well as what they wish could have gone differently.
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Communication is key. If it comes down to choosing between two similar agents, pick the one you communicated with most easily. Your agent is going to be your source for advice and knowledge throughout this process, and the last thing you are going to want to worry about is miscommunication. Choose the one you think you will be able to communicate with most effectively, even in uncomfortable or awkward circumstances.
How far in advance should I get a real estate agent?
Generally, you can begin looking for a real estate agent as soon as you know your moving timeline. This is a good time to start narrowing down the field, asking for recommendations, and creating a preliminary list of potential agents. You can pick a real estate agent at this stage if you would like, but you can also choose to contact a mortgage lender and get a loan estimate first. Once you know what you are able to afford, you will be in a better position to choose a target neighborhood and find a local agent who specializes in that area.
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Types of Mortgages: A Guide to the Types of Mortgage Loans
Learn the different home loan types from adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM) to fixed rate, and from conventional to FHA and VA mortgages.
Home Buying Steps
Mortgage Products
Disclosures
1Conventional Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.0 discount point, which equals 1.0 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $400,000; loan-to-value ratio of 75%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
2FHA Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.0 discount point, which equals 1.0 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $400,000; loan-to-value ratio of 96.5%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
3VA Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.125 discount point, which equals 1.125 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $450,000; loan-to-value ratio of 95%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of $995.
4Jumbo Loans
Except for holidays, rates are updated Monday through Friday at 10:15am EST. The advertised rates and points are subject to change. The information provided is based on 1.25 discount point, which equals 1.25 percent of the loan amount, and assumes the purpose of the loan is to purchase a property with a 30-year, non-conforming, fixed-rate loan. Loan amount of $1,009,000; loan-to-value ratio of 70%; credit score of 760; and DTI of 18% or less. The property is an existing single-family home and will be used as a primary residence. The advertised rates are based on certain assumptions and loan scenarios, and the rate you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, including your credit history, loan amount, down payment, and our internal credit criteria. Other rates, points, and terms may be available. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.
Rates quoted require a loan origination fee of 1%; not to exceed $1,995. Speak to a PenFed Mortgage Loan Officer for additional details.
Fixed Rate Advance Lock-In You may lock in an Annual Percentage Rate for Advances during the Advance Period. During your Advance Period, you may choose to have three separate Fixed Rate Advances locked in at any one time, with a maximum of two new Fixed Rate Advances per calendar year. Each Fixed Rate Advance must equal or exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and you may not request a Fixed Rate Advance that would cause the amount you owe to exceed your Credit Limit. The only term option for your Fixed Rate Advance is 240 months (“Fixed Rate Advance Term”). However, the term of your Fixed Rate Advance cannot exceed your Repayment Period.
Routing #256078446
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