Are you looking for information on how to find a real estate agent in Charlotte, North Carolina? Perhaps you want to buy or sell in Ballantyne, SouthPark, or South Charlotte. Regardless of your final destination or goal, finding a reputable real estate agent local to Charlotte who has experience in the area is vital.
Finding a real estate agent fast is straightforward; locating the right real estate agent is where the challenge often lies. The questions that will arise are seemingly endless; are you looking for a buyer’s agent, a seller’s agent, or someone who knows the rental market? Regardless, you will want to make sure you find the best real estate agent for you!
This is why today, we will divulge some of the best ways to find a real estate agent right for you in under 20 minutes!
How to Find a Real Estate Agent Near Me in 3 Steps
Homeownership and the equity accompanying it represent not only the American dream but also 30% of the wealth for most adults. So making the wrong hiring decision when selecting a real estate agent is not something you want to get wrong. With the ultra-competitive Charlotte, NC, real estate market, it is vital you find a great agent who can help you buy or sell!
Knowing how to find a real estate agent that fits your needs starts by identifying the key traits of a desirable agent is a great starting point. A few metrics you must consider include:
- Does the agent know the real estate industry inside and out?
- Are their people skills up to par?
- How well do they treat their clients (customer service)?
- Current market knowledge
- Are they transparent (i.e., current trends, pricing, negotiating)
Once you are familiar with the above list of must-haves in an agent, the next logical step is to begin your search. A few places you can find a real estate agent include online, through referrals, your lender and also the local real estate market or local realtor association.
Here is what we mean;
1. Use your Charlotte network to find a real estate agent.
Perhaps one of the most effective ways to find anything is simply asking your friends, family, and colleagues for recommendations.
Chances are, someone in your network has bought or sold a home in the last year. Knowing this, you can ask them not only pertinent questions about their experience but also gather a list of agent recommendations.
Personal referrals and testimonies are powerful, and you will know much more about a real estate agent based on someone else’s experience than just trying to figure it out on your own. The housing market is constantly changing, so it is safe to assume that if someone refers a real estate agent to you, it’s because they got results.
Just be sure always to do your own due diligence when selecting potential agents because while great for someone else, it might not mean they are great for you. This is when online searching comes in handy.
Neribhrhoods and areas Robin Hickman Realty Specializes in:
2. Search online for “The Best Real Estate Agent in Charlotte.”
Hoping on your favorite search engine, such as “Google” or using a map app to look for a “Real estate agent near me” or “Real estate agent in Charlotte” might seem like an outlandish way to find a real estate agent, but it is prevalent.
By searching for a real estate agent online, you will quickly notice the following:
- Google Screened & paid ads by agents on the top of the search engine results page (SERP)
- Zillow recommended agents (another paid service by the agent)
- The Google Map local recommendations
- Yelp, Redfin, and other similar listing services with agent listings
At first, you might be a bit skeptical of what listings appear on a search engine, but it is important to note a few key tidbits.
First, if someone has the advertising dollars to pay for sponsored positions, while it doesn’t mean they are the best agent, it can tell they are at least performing to some degree to afford advertisements.
Secondly, while many of the listing services are also paid for, most of the time, agents won’t recommend or rank highly if they don’t do a good job. “Google Screened” agents and other listings will ensure agents are vetted before listing them.
Perhaps you even found this article utilizing some form of online search. We always recommend here at Robin Hickman Realty that if you use an online search to locate a real estate agent, pair it with testimonials and your research.
Don’t simply rely on a paid advertisement, be sure to do your homework once you narrow in on a few real estate agents!
3. Utilize social media
You want to comfortably navigate the home selling and/or home buying processes. We get it.
Social media can be an excellent way for you to find a real estate agent who is knowledgeable, popular, and trusted.
When a real estate broker or an excellent real estate agent exists, typically, they will have a solid social media presence, or at the very least, others will talk highly about them. One home seller named Lauren of Virginia put it this way:
“When our agent (Matt) sold our home in April of 2022 and made the process super easy, I immediately went on to Facebook to thank him and his brokerage for their efforts.”
An experienced real estate agent is a must, but an agent’s online presence is also essential since word travels fast online. A vast social media network can help with selling or buying.
Lastly, another way to utilize social media is to make a post asking for recommendations! Just look at the example below:
Signs of a Great Real Estate Agent in Charlotte:
Now that you know how to find a real estate agent, the next logical step is to familiarize yourself with the signs of a great real estate agent! Here is a quick list:
- They are responsive and available when you need them to be. You don’t want to partner with a real estate agent who is flaky or doesn’t communicate promptly. Recently, there was a story from a prospective buyer who shared an experience where they missed out on a house because their agent didn’t answer the seller’s agent text for over 24 hours!
- Honesty. For better or worse, you need an honest agent who knows how to share what needs to be said. A listing agent must be frank with sales price and market trends, not just appease a client.
- A vast network. Most deals can happen before a home goes live on the MLS if you select an agent with a network of connections. Real estate agents with a vast network tend to get the word out quicker when selling but can also help when you are purchasing a home! As the saying goes, it is all about who you know!
- Experience. An excellent real estate agent typically has tons of experience. Real estate agents with expertise have done enough deals representing buyers and sellers alike to know how to conduct every transaction area. From listing the property to negotiating the contract, an experienced agent makes this process simple.
In the end, a good real estate agent will stand out pretty quickly! Whether you are looking for a buyer’s agent or a seller’s agent, just be sure you can figuratively check the box for each of the above!
Warning Signs of a Bad Real Estate Agent:
Below is a quick list of some red flags to take note of. Before you conduct your search of local real estate agents, it is best to know what exactly to avoid in a potential real estate professional. Just because someone is a local agent, doesn’t mean they are the best agent for your needs!
- She or he drops the ball when communicating. If the first few times you interact with a real estate professional, you notice their communication isn’t the best, cut ties and run! Communication is a considerable component of the entire real estate transaction process, and without it you can’t win – it is that simple.
- The agent is not organized. Imagine a home sale where the agent isn’t prepared for conducting open houses, hasn’t paid personal attention to your listing, and can’t seem to keep things organized. These are all red flags if you are considering hiring this agent. Your financial situation is essential, and you don’t want to put it in the hands of an unorganized real estate agent!
- They are a part-time real estate agent. This is not to say that all part-time agents are not good real estate agents, but you typically will have better success with someone who is
- They are new to the real estate field. An excellent real estate agent was once new to the arena, so that doesn’t mean all new agents are not good; it can simply translate to their lack of experience could hinder the process. When selecting real estate agents that may be new, be sure to look at the broker’s reputation as well since they will get their insight from their real estate broker.
Frequently Asked Real Estate Questions:
What do real estate agents do for the home buying process?
As the buying agent, the real estate agent represents the buyers and helps locate potential properties to purchase, negotiate the price, and make initial offers. In the hyper-competitive real estate market, a home buyer needs an agent who can navigate contracts and negotiations while possessing expertise in market trends/values. Additionally, the buyer’s agent helps with closing real estate deals.
What do real estate agents do for sellers?
As the listing agent, a seller’s agent is when the real estate agent is in charge of listing, marketing, and aiding in selling your home/property. When conducting your real estate agent search, always hire an agent knowledgeable about the local real estate market. The ideal selling process includes hiring an agent, preparing your home, listing the house, and marketing correctly to get the best value of the sale.
How do real estate agents get paid?
All home sellers should know that real estate agents get paid with the commission from the sale of a home.
The average commission rate is 5-6%. This is almost always paid for by the selling party, meaning if you are the seller, you will pay 5-6% of your sales price.
This commission is divided by the agents, with a 50/50 split between the buying and selling agents. For example, if you lived in Charlotte, NC, and sold your home for $500,000 at 5% realtor fees, you would pay $25,000 in real estate fees. Both realtors would get $12,500.
What are real estate brokers?
A real estate agent has to be a member of the National Association of Realtors, but they also need to be a broker or licensed with a broker to conduct real estate business. A real estate broker is licensed to own their firm, typically where real estate agents work.
The Verdict on the Right Real Estate Agent –
Everyone wants a sold sign in their front yard or a moving truck in their new home’s driveway when they hire a real estate agent.
We get it.
And can you talk to your lender to find a real estate agent? Sure.
However, we recommend you go with a few things that maybe we haven’t mentioned yet:
- Your gut
- The feeling you get when you meet a potential real estate agent
When you initially meet a potential real estate agent, an instant connection should help you feel confident in your decision. Not only should the agent be personable, organized, and sharp – they should make you feel at ease.
Typically, when most potential home sellers or buyers are looking for a trusted agent, it isn’t the shortage of agents that is the problem, but it is sorting through countless agents to pick the best fit for you!
This is why the team here at Robin Hickman realty always recommends you go with your gut, do your homework on several agents, and get all your questions answered before selecting!
