8 Ways to Choose a Real Estate Agent

Buying a home in Southwest Florida can be a wonderful choice for families, retirees and investors looking to make a profit.

Southwest Florida has a lot of appealing attributes ranging from the incredible winter weather to the beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, making the area a popular place to visit and live.

Since there are so many different neighborhoods and types of properties available, seeking out professional assistance is key.

These eight tips can help any would-be buyer choose the right real estate agent in Southwest Florida.

1. Find Someone With Experience

In Southwest Florida, there is no shortage of real estate agents.

You’ll find a range of real estate professionals in the area that work part-time, that have recently started working in the field or who are dabbling in property sales until something else comes along.

Generally, you’ll want to avoid these types of real estate agents. Someone new to the world of real estate won’t be able to offer you the level of knowledge that an experienced agent can.

When interviewing or researching potential real estate agents, don’t be afraid to ask about how long they have been in real estate, how long they have worked in Southwest Florida and even how long they have been with their particular agency.

On all counts, longest will generally be best.

2. Contact References

Many potential buyers feel as if they are a relatively good judge of character, which means that they might be less inclined to contact a real estate agent’s references after a great first meeting.

However, remember that references can tell a broader story.

An agent may be able to truthfully say that helped 50 buyers purchase homes last year, but the reality could be that many of those buyers were dissatisfied after a year in the new place.

Make the extra effort to contact any references given to you and ask key questions revealing how well the real estate agent did their job.

Important things to ask might be how readily available the agent was throughout the buying process, whether they were willing to negotiate on behalf of their clients and whether they were eager for the buyer to take a deal that didn’t feel quite right.

Routinely satisfied customers usually points to a great real estate agent.

3. Pay Attention to Communication Style and Availability

Real estate agents in Naples Florida, and indeed across the country, all have different ways of communicating with their clients.

Some spend a few hours in the office each day carefully and thoughtfully replying to emails and phone calls while others are always available, but may have to call you back with detailed information at a later stage.

You might prefer to text your agent for updates periodically, or you might stick to talking face-to-face every few days.

Whatever your preferred means of communication might be, look for a real estate agent that follows suit.

At this stage, also be on the lookout for real estate agents that are readily available and are happy to give you their undivided attention.

Real estate agents that quickly pass you off to assistants may not be giving you the service you deserve as you buy your home in Naples Florida.

4. Check Qualifications and Licensing 

All realtors operating in Southwest Florida should have the proper qualifications, and they should also be registered with the state of Florida.

Checking their registration is a quick process, and it may help you determine whether they have any formal complaints from past customers.

You might also ask any potential real estate agents about additional professional qualifications they have.

Some real estate agents are ABR, or an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, while others have continuing education credits in green homes or commercial properties.

5. Look For a Local Resident

Many real estate agents operate within a large area of Southwest Florida in order to work with as many buyers and sellers as possible.

If you have already narrowed down your search to a specific part of the region, however, it may be in your best interest to work with a real estate agent that already lives in the area.

If you are leaning toward the idea of a golf course home in Naples, then an agent who actually lives in Naples may be able to give you the most detailed and helpful information.

6. Match Your Needs to an Agent’s Specialty 

Many real estate agents focus on either buying or selling property, so asking about a potential agent’s area of expertise can narrow down the pool significantly.

Beyond that, try to focus in on what type of property suits your needs.

Knowing everything about all kinds of property in Southwest Florida is a tall order, but knowing everything about luxury homes or beachfront condos might be more feasible.

Ask real estate agents what percentage of their closings are similar to the type of property that you’re interested in.

You can narrow it down further by working with an agent who is familiar with properties within your budget range.

7. Find Someone Who Truly Knows the Market

One of the quickest ways to find out if a real estate agent in Naples Florida is really familiar with the local market is to ask some specific questions.

If you had your eye on a home that recently sold, inquire about it.

If you noticed that prices in a particular neighborhood have dropped recently, pose that question to your potential real estate agent.

If they are familiar with your question and already have an answer, that’s great news.

If they don’t know, but are willing to put in the research and get back to you with an answer, that can also be a clear sign of an agent you might want to work with in the future.

8. Work With Someone Who Respects Your Investment

Above all, you should choose a real estate agent who understands how important this investment will be to you.

It may be a home you plan to live in with your children, it may be a condo where you will retire with your spouse or it could be a big investment that makes up much of your savings.

Whatever the case, ensure that you work with someone who understands the importance and will go to great lengths to find you a property that you are 100% happy with.

Melinda has been a realtor in SW Florida for 18 years!