CHOOSE A REALTOR THAT FITS WITH WHAT YOU NEED AND WHO YOU ARE

Buying or selling a home is a significant investment, and choosing the right Real Estate Agent can make all the difference. To find a qualified agent who can help you navigate the market, it's essential to ask the right questions. Make a call, ask for a meeting, make sure you can determine if there is a connection and if your personalities mesh well during your buying and selling journey. A good agent will be willing and able to answer your questions honestly, so it's crucial to come prepared. Here are 8 questions to ask your local real estate agent before hiring them.

1. Ask how long they have been an agent. While new agents can do a good job, the more experience an agent has, the better they are at knowing how to meet your needs. Established agents have the experience and reputation to build an extensive network of local, national, even global contacts, which can work to your advantage.
2. Inquire whether they are a full-time agent. A full-time agent will be able to devote more time to their buyers or sellers and respond promptly to your questions or concerns. This is crucial, especially during a seller's market when you need someone who is available to show the newest available houses sooner rather than later.
3. Ask about their ratio of buyers to sellers. Some agents work more with buyers, while others work more with sellers, and some have a more balanced roster of clients. An agent who regularly works with both buyers and sellers will likely have excellent insight into the entire process, helping you make quick decisions or anticipate how the other party will react to offers or counteroffers.
4. Inquire whether you can see referrals from former clients. Checking reviews will help you understand the agent's professional nature and interpersonal skills when you read how others viewed their experience working with them. Customer service driven agents offer more than just their sales expertise, they will want the best experience for you and past clients can offer insight with their experience.
5. Ask if they can recommend other services or contacts you anticipate needing. An agent with a good network will know and recommend the best professional services in the area, saving you time and stress. This is true for both the buying and selling side, so whichever side you are on having an agent with a good repertoire of contacts will make all the processes go smoother.
6. Inquire about their marketing plan. As a seller, you need to know that your agent already has a plan to sell your home, which should include social media, professional photography, videos, and virtual tours. Presenting a home in its best light is not just a sign on the lawn, it takes some work to make things look their best, a good agent will have some ideas on how to get the most out of your investment.
7. Ask about their strategy to help you compete as a buyer. A good agent will have relationships within their market and strategies from past experiences to help make your experience positive with a good outcome.
8. Inquire about their specific times of availability and whether you will be working directly with them or a team. Having extra hands to help is a great service to offer, but are entitled to feel comfortable with the who and the what the whole process, and a good agent will want that for you too.

When buying or selling a property in Smiths Falls and the surrounding areas, it's crucial to select the right realtor. Lisa Ritskes, with over 22 years of experience in her local market, is an excellent choice. Lisa grew up in Toledo, Ontario, with a farm background and is a small-town girl at heart. Over the years, Lisa has built an impressive and loyal customer base, including many friends who started as clients. She takes pride in her award-winning customer service and has helped numerous clients buy and sell homes and properties in Smiths Falls and in most of the surrounding areas. Lisa knows how to establish a connection with buyers and sellers and can guide them through the local market with ease. Her trustworthiness and solid relationships have established repeat clients and a solid customer base. You can read her many reviews, she would be happy to direct you to friends and clients who can attest to her reputation and she looks forward to a call or a text or even sitting down with you, over a cup of coffee, to become the local realtor who meets your needs. Choose Lisa as your realtor, it’s the best choice you can make in your buying and selling adventure. Let Her Help You… FindTheWayHome.ca