Buying a new home is a serious and overwhelming task. Moving house and buying a new property is often very stressful, as many factors need to be considered. The budget, picking the right neighborhood, the condition and size of the new house, the safety of the purchase process, etc. All these things are stressing out the buyers. Because of this, you need to have someone you can rely on throughout the process. When moving to Austin, it’s best to hire a local professional who knows the area well. However, that’s not always the easiest thing to do. You need to make sure that the person you trust your home with is reliable, professional, and dedicated to their work. That’s why we’ve come up with a simple guide on how to find the right Austin real estate agent and be sure you’re getting the best deal.
Why do you need a real estate agent anyway?
There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to hire an agent. Firstly, they can help you get the best possible price for your future home. Real estate agents have the best negotiating skills. Therefore, they can save the day and help your budget. Also, agents can find exactly what you’re looking for. By listening to your needs and requirements, the right agent will be able to find the home that suits your family. Finally, local experts know the Austin area very well, so they will find a property much faster and simplify the whole process for you.
Remember – before you start searching for a real estate agent, make sure to prepare well for buying your new home. Firstly, make a list of priorities – everything you want from your future home. Also, find out how much you can afford by talking to your lender. This will simplify the selection process and help you avoid disappointment after falling in love with a home that’s way too expensive.
Get recommendations
It’s best to go for a safe, recommended option. If anyone you know has recently bought a home, they might be able to help you find the right real estate agent. Agents that have plenty of satisfied customers are experienced enough to help you out. So ask around and see if some of the people you know and trust can help you out.
Go online to find the right Austin real estate agent
Apart from offline recommendations, the information you find online can really help you out. Online reviews are a great way to find out more about real estate agents. However, be careful with everything you read on the internet as you never know who is behind the reviews. Online reviews can be easily manipulated, and a number of them are fake. Read reviews on reliable websites, and do additional research on the agents you like. Check their website, social media, and other online locations. Finally, make sure to check if they are certified – visit Better Business Bureau for more information.
Bonus tip: ask potential agents to provide you with references and tell you more about the homes they’ve sold in the past. If possible, you should contact their previous clients and ask about their experience with the agent.
Have more than one option
Naturally, you want to find the right Austin real estate agent as quickly as possible, but try not to rush. Take your time to do the research and find more than one option. You should interview at least three real estate agents. This will give you more information on the average prices and an insight into the way they provide services. After you’ve gathered all the info, you should be able to pick the right one – the agent who knows the area well and can make the most out of your buying process.
Don’t sign documents before reading them
The last step is signing a contract about the services your real estate agent will provide. Don’t forget to read the agreement carefully. Get familiar with your rights and obligations, and find out more about the commission. The typical real estate commission in the Austin area is around 6% of the sale price.
Start planning the move
Once you find the right real estate agent, you can expect to have your dream home very soon. That’s why you should start planning the move as early as possible. Start by hiring local professionals so you can have a North Austin relocation done with ease. Schedule your moving day as soon as you find a new home, so you can start packing on time.
Plan the moving budget
You should prepare for buying a home, but moving can also get expensive. Be sure to plan the moving budget when you start planning your relocation. Get a couple of moving estimates for the size of your household so that you can save money on the moving costs.
Pack smart
Smart packing can be very helpful in the moving process. If you organize your items well, you can be sure that the unpacking process will be as fast as possible. However, if you don’t have the time, skills, or supplies to do this properly, let professionals make your belongings ready to go. Hiring packing services will be a huge relief to your busy schedule.
Clean both houses
When moving out from a house or apartment, make sure it’s clean and ready for new residents. Also, prepare the new home for moving in. Deep cleaning the new place is much easier when there aren’t many furniture pieces and boxes lying around. Plan to clean the new home beforehand or hire professionals to do that for you.
It’s not always easy to find the right Austin real estate agent. But once you do, it will be much easier to find a dream home. That’s why investing your time to pick the right professional is an essential step in the process of buying your new family home.
