When preparing to sell your home, whether it’s the first time or third time, you want to know that the realty team you hire will make the home-buying process easy and simple.

You may receive recommendations on a certain realtor from friends and family, and that can be great. Yet, a recommendation is not enough to know a realtor will fit your own needs. Buying a house is a big financial decision, so you need to know what to look for when hiring a realtor right for you.

Here are the top three tips for hiring a realtor when selling a house.

1. They Know the Neighborhoods

When looking for a home in a specific area, you want to make sure that your realtor knows the city or neighborhood well. They should know these places down to the streets and landmarks. Elhm Realty, for example, advertises homes in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. Thereby, they would know how to buy and sell homes in that metropolitan area only.

To find out if they do know the area, ask them:

• What percentage of listing price houses in the neighborhood/area usually sell
• Can they give you a feel for the community, i.e., which parks and restaurants are popular nearby, what your morning commute will look like, etc.
• What are the latest home buying trends in this area

If your realtor knows the area well, they should be able to answer these questions easily.

2. Their Availability

Many realtors do not work a typical 9 to 5 schedule. For them, the phone calling them about a listing can take place over days, nights, and even weekends. After all, it’s hard to coordinate a meeting in today’s world with an unconventional schedule.

You should check with the realtor and see if they can be flexible and meet with you at times that are convenient for both of you. Ask if they have the time needed to properly invest in a search for a home that fits your needs. Also, ask how many other clients they are working with at a time.

3. They Have Credentials

According to the National Association of Realtors, there are an estimated 2 million active real estate licensees in the United States alone. If the realtor you are looking at has established and industry-respected credentials, you know they have the experience you need to sell or buy your home.

Having accreditations such as

• Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI)
• Military Relocation Professional (MRP)
• Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

Their business card shows you they have the experience and education needed to handle any real estate transactions that may come up.

Find the Right Realtor for Your Home

There is a lot to consider when thinking of buying and selling a home. Choosing the right realtor will help make the process a more positive experience. You deserve to have the right real estate agent take your experience seriously.

Do you need more tips on buying a house or selling a house like a pro? Check out our site for more advice.