Today’s buyers face a lot of overwhelming hurdles in their search for a home. While many factors are making it difficult to buy a home under current market conditions, The KS Group of Austin, TX believes that it is still achievable, especially with the right expert to help you out.
Partnering with the best Realtor in Austin, TX – someone who’s knowledgeable, trustworthy, and has your priorities and best interests in mind – may just be your greatest asset in navigating the complex world of real estate transactions. This article will give you a better understanding of a Realtor’s true value and provide the necessary insights on choosing the right professional to work with as you embark on your home-buying journey.
Table of Contents:
DEFINING A REALTOR
All Realtors are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are Realtors. Here’s the distinguishing difference: A Realtor is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), an organization that provides training, guidance, and networking opportunities for members. It also requires members to adhere to a strict moral code.
Realtor vs. regular agent: the 3 key differences
Before a real estate agent becomes a Realtor, they must first apply for membership with NAR and, most importantly, commit to a high standard of professionalism and principles. Below are the three main differences between a Realtor and a real estate agent.
- LICENSING AND TRAINING
- NAR CODE OF ETHICS
- ACCESS TO NAR TOOLS AND MATERIALS
All real estate agents in Austin, TX are required to complete pre-licensing courses and pass state and federal licensing exams. To maintain their license, agents must regularly complete continuing courses required by the state and federal government. Realtors must also meet these same requirements. In addition, Realtors must also complete NAR-designated courses every three years, along with any relevant training and education that the organization requires.
The NAR Code of Ethics defines a Realtor’s responsibilities to clients, colleagues, and the general public. It requires them to maintain a high level of professionalism, commitment, attitude, and care in each and every transaction they handle. Keywords in the NAR Code of Ethics include fairness and honesty, respectfulness and equal treatment, and protecting and upholding the client’s best interest. You’ll have more peace of mind moving forward with your home purchase when you’re partnered with a Realtor who diligently follows the NAR Code of Ethics.
NAR governs all multiple listing service (MLS) systems in the country, and Realtors are guaranteed access to the local MLS. A regular agent may not have this access, which can be crippling to your home-shopping efforts. Realtors may also use other NAR-managed tools that make it easier for you to find quality listings that tick the right boxes.
WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE A REALTOR
The Realtor label assures that you’re working with someone who has more credentials under their belt than just a license. When you partner with a Realtor, you get to work with someone who has up-to-date training in real estate, is well-informed about past and present market trends, and subscribes to a strict Code of Ethics.
In addition to saving you major time, money, and stress, here are other benefits that come with working with a winning Realtor.
- EXPANDED HOME SEARCH
- OBJECTIVITY
- NEGOTIATING SAVVY
- LEGAL PROTECTION
- THE POWER TO WALK AWAY
Surveys reveal that more than half of American home buyers have trouble finding and identifying the right property on their own. Realtors ease the search process with their access to a great number of homes for sale in Austin TX, including hidden property listings (otherwise known as “off-market” properties) and homes that have yet to hit the market. With their finger on the pulse of the local real estate market, they’ll find homes that match your criteria faster and more efficiently.
When you’ve set your sights on a property, it becomes hard to not let your emotions get in the way. Realtors provide that much-needed objectivity to the transaction and approach the process with a level head. Their professional guidance allows you to stay focused, calm, and on track with your real estate goals. Moreover, they will steer you away from anything that may cause you buyer’s remorse.
Realtors are trained to negotiate on their client’s behalf. They’ll come to the negotiating table fully prepared with a winning strategy. They are also aware of the many factors that come into play during real estate negotiations, including fair market value, home inspection results, conveyances, concessions, market conditions, and even a seller’s motivation for selling. These inherent Realtor qualities empower you to arrive at the best outcome possible for your home purchase.
Real estate transactions are inherently complex, and it’s easy to get into serious legal trouble over the tiniest mistakes. One of the key aspects of Realtors protecting your best interests is to ensure you meet all your legal obligations relating to your fiduciary duties, disclosures, confidentialities, disputes, transparencies, discrepancies, and conflicts of interest. Realtors will also handle your legal paperwork and contracts to make sure everything is in order and legally sound.
Walking away from a risky real estate transaction may prove difficult, especially if you’re almost at the finish line when you could practically see yourself living in the home. However, having the ability to say no is necessary to save you from undue stress, frustration, and remorse in the long run. Title search issues, structural issues, hidden ownership costs, excessive deed restrictions – a Realtor will be able to identify these red flags and enable you to pursue a different property altogether.
5 KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A REALTOR
The best Realtors make a huge impact toward a successful and painless home-buying experience. However, finding the best fit for you and your needs is daunting, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. Here are five key considerations when choosing a Realtor to ensure the one you work with is up to the task of taking care of you every step of the way.
Proven work experience
Look for a Realtor with extensive experience in handling property types that you’re interested in. If you’re interested in snapping up a single-family home, prioritize working with Austin, TX Realtors who specialize in such properties over those who tend to focus on apartments and condo units. The former will be properly equipped to make your home-buying experience not just successful but smooth and gratifying, as well.
Before talking to an Austin, TX Realtor, it’s a good idea to check the NAR website or speak with one of their online representatives to inquire about a Realtor’s membership status. It also helps to check their reviews and ratings on real estate websites such as Zillow, Redfin, or Realtor.com to get a glimpse of their track record.
An investor mindset
Entrusting your entire real estate transaction to someone who makes little effort to put in the work may lead to frustration, delays, and unsatisfactory outcomes. That’s why it’s important to work with a Realtor who understands the investor mindset.
When a Realtor has the mind of an investor, you become confident that they will work hard to meet your home-buying goals, whether it’s providing a more comfortable living arrangement for you and your family, living closer to a job, or providing a safe and fun environment for your kids. A good Realtor with an investor mindset will be eager to work for you and add value. They work fast and efficiently, always with a pulse on the market. Most importantly, they take the initiative to develop strategies and identify areas for improvement to help you make the most out of your investment.
Well-developed communication skills
Realtors have to deal with different types of people on a daily basis, including clients, sellers, contractors, home inspectors and assessors, and even local and legal authorities. Thus, it’s a must for the Realtor you choose to be an excellent communicator. This means they practice clear, consistent communication with everyone involved and treat everybody with utmost respect.
Realtors with well-honed communication skills make it a point to keep you updated with the status of your property on a regular basis. Likewise, whenever you bring up a concern, they make sure to give it the time of the day, no matter how trivial the problem may seem.
When interviewing Realtors, look for someone who avoids using legal and industry jargon and makes an effort to explain technical industry terms to you. How well do they want to get to know you? A good Realtor asks a lot of questions so it will be easier for them to identify properties that you’ll love. They will also follow up and follow through with your concerns after your interview.
Verifiable professional licenses and certifications
Aside from a NAR-issued license, Realtors in Austin TX may carry other types of certifications, depending on their experience and level of training. NAR issues a lot of certifications, but here are six that you may want your Realtor to have if you’re shopping for real estate in Austin, TX.
- Accredited Buyer’s Representative. Realtors with this certification are distinguished advocates for home buyers.
- Counselor of Real Estate. Realtors with this certification are able to provide seasoned, objective advice on all matters related to real estate.
- NAR’s GREEN Designation. This certification from the Green Resource Council aims to provide ongoing education and resources to equip Realtors with a better understanding of the best green features in today’s homes.
- Graduate, REALTOR Institute. This certification provides Realtors with in-depth training in legal and regulatory issues, revised professional standards, and the latest real estate technologies.
- Luxury Homes Certification. This certification gives Realtors the knowledge they need to navigate the luxury real estate market effectively for their clients.
- Real Estate Negotiation Expert. This certification ensures your Realtor has well-honed negotiation and client advocacy skills.
The Austin Board of Realtors provides the public with an easy way to check an Austin TX Realtor’s membership through their website. Users may simply visit the ABOR website and click on the “Find an Agent” tab at the top of the homepage. Visitors may then search for an agent by name or office.
4 TIPS TO FIND THE BEST REALTOR IN AUSTIN, TX TO WORK WITH
Working with one of the top Realtors in Austin, TX is the key determining factor in the success of your real estate endeavors. The best Realtor in Austin, TX takes a load off your shoulders, ensuring every step proceeds smoothly, so you can focus on other aspects of your life that may need your attention. Here are four helpful tips to find the best Realtor in Austin, TX to work with.
Search online
Thanks to the internet, it only takes a few keystrokes to locate top Realtors in Austin, TX. Once you’ve narrowed your search down to three or four who you think will be a good match for you, visit their website and see how they present themselves online. Check these critical pieces of information:
- Services offered
- Staff information
- Community and neighborhood guides
- Videos and photographs of the properties they represent
- Client testimonials
- Active blog
- Contact information
These seven website features indicate a real estate agent who wants to provide potential clients with all the valuable information they need to make an informed decision. They also show that the Realtor in question is someone who cares about customer satisfaction and seeks to provide the most pleasant working experience possible for their clients.
Ask for referrals
Although the internet makes searches easier, some of the best recommendations may come from people you know. Asking for referrals from friends, family, and people in your inner circle is a great way to start your search for real estate agents in Austin, TX who may be a good fit for you. You may extend your search and get referrals from fellow home buyers and even Austin homeowners living in the community you’re interested in.
Be specific about your needs to avoid getting ill-advised referrals. For instance, if you’re shopping for a downtown property, make sure to mention the location and property type you’re interested in.
Once you’re given a few names for consideration, make sure to ask about a potential candidate’s strengths and weaknesses, along with the clients they have worked with. If possible, get in touch with these clients and ask about their working relationship with the Realtor in question.
Visit the properties
If you really want to make sure how well a Realtor does their job, there’s no better way to do so than to visit one or more of the properties on their list. This way, you’ll be able to see agents in their element and observe firsthand how they conduct themselves.
During your visit, the first thing to check is the condition of the property. Is it well-maintained inside and out? If there are visible signs of neglect, that tells you that the real estate agent may not be doing the best job.
If you’re attending an open house, observe how the agent treats you and other potential buyers. Pay attention to how they communicate, answer questions, and address concerns. This will give you a good idea of the quality of the work that the Realtor is able to deliver.
Interview Realtors on your shortlist
It is highly recommended that you talk to each of the Realtors on your shortlist for 30 minutes to an hour before deciding. This will be enough time for you to get a feel for their communication styles and personalities. In the early strategies of your real estate journey, your agent should be more focused on asking you questions, listening to your answers, and gathering as much information as they can. You must also be prepared with your own questions, as well.
Make sure to ask your Realtor the following:
- How long have you been in the business?
- How many homes have you sold in the area?
- Which agent in your team will I be working with?
- How will you communicate with me, and how often?
- How much do you charge?
- How do you go about the home-buying process?
- What kind of guarantees do I get?
Your chosen Realtor should be someone you trust and could collaborate with effectively. More importantly, they should have a deep understanding of your home-buying goals. Take the time to find someone who aligns with your vision in your home-buying journey. Beyond credentials, a harmonious and respectful working relationship with your Realtor is critical. As the home-buying process may become fraught with tension and emotion, having a knowledgeable and experienced Realtor on your side will make a substantial difference.
WORK WITH TOP REALTORS IN AUSTIN, TX
If you’re shopping for real estate in Austin, TX, The KS Group is dedicated to your success. Each member of our team boasts unparalleled customer service, and we have established a reputation for putting our client’s needs first. As a team, The KS Group provides quality service, incorporating exceptional communication, integrity, and confidentiality in every transaction.
Get in touch with The KS Group at 512.884.7420 or leave us a message here to schedule a private consultation.