How to Choose The Right Real Estate Agent for You

When buying or selling a home, there’s no doubt that hiring an experienced, local real estate agent makes the process easier. Every part of the transaction should feel smoother, less stressful, and more rewarding if you’ve hired the right agent.

To find the best Bay Area realtor, you should plan on interviewing a list of the best candidates and clearly laying out your goals. This might feel like a daunting task in a city like Fremont, Dublin, or anywhere else near San Francisco, but the purchase or sale of your valuable Bay Area real estate is worth this important bit of extra research.

The most indispensable part of a realtor’s toolkit is listening to and understanding what a buyer or seller needs. You’ll be sharing a lot of personal information with your agent, so it’s crucial that you feel you can communicate with them easily and trust them to help you achieve your goals. A realtor’s network, work ethic, and market analysis add up to make them well worth their fee.

The following tips will help you select the right Dublin or Fremont real estate agent for your needs and enjoy a rewarding, stress-free transaction overall.

When interviewing agents to list your Dublin or Fremont home for sale, you’re looking for someone with experience. You want a realtor with a reliable history, with recent sales within your neighborhood and price range.  Ask about their marketing plans and what strategies they would use to ensure your home reaches the most potential buyers both online and in-person. Ask about what has made them successful when selling homes in the past and how long they expect your property to stay on the market.

It's crucial to trust how a potential seller's agent will handle negotiations. You'll want an agent who is assertive and can get you the best price for your home, but who also understands when to compromise with a well-qualified buyer on your behalf. You can ask about previous negotiations—if they can describe lessons learned from previous sales. Inquire about their negotiation skills overall and what they will do for you to ensure your property sells for the highest possible price.

Also, be sure to outline how much you want to be involved when the time comes to show your Dublin or Fremont home to potential buyers, and be open to feedback. You’re hiring an agent for their advice and for their track record of earning top dollar on Bay Area real estate.

When interviewing a buyer's agent, you'll want to ask about their experience working with homebuyers—and where they specialize. Ask their record and how the market conditions have changed over the past two years. Ask for recommendations from other buyers who can attest to their ability to formulate a solid offer and close on Bay Area homes for sale.

An essential question to ask is how they will help you find the right home. Make sure they’re prepared to do the heavy lifting throughout the buying process. Additionally, ask specific questions about crafting a successful offer to ensure they will be able to provide you with reliable advice. Ask about their fees and what’s included in their services. Most buyer's agents work on a commission basis, so you'll want to know what percentage of the home's sale price they expect to receive.

When it comes to choosing a Bay Area real estate agent, trust and experience are the most important factors.

Be sure to ask lots of questions when interviewing buyers agents, so you can be sure they’re the right fit for you. They should be hunting for Dublin and Fremont homes that fit your goals, price range, and needs. Agents who specialize in Bay Area real estate are more likely to be successful than those lacking qualifications and a local network.

When interviewing Bay Area real estate agents to buy or sell a home, contact Prema Subramanium. Prema’s focus, work ethic, and customer service distinguish her from other Bay Area luxury realtors—and her familiarity with both Dublin and Fremont make her a perfect fit for your East Bay real estate journey. Contact Prema today.