What are the criteria for choosing a real estate agent?

Once you’ve selected several real estate agents in the area who seem to match your criteria, you’ll need to take into account a number of other characteristics to make the best possible choice. It’s not enough to be a local real estate agent; you need one who meets other criteria, at least those listed below.

Here are seven key points to check when hiring a real estate agent.

His professional experience

Real estate agents work in the field for around 8 years, so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding experienced agents. It’s a good idea to hire agents who specialize in your chosen market. You should look for real estate agents with experience in buying or selling a first home, rather than condominium salespeople.

Diplomas and professional accreditation

There are several real estate certifications in Belgium. The only work permit is the IPI (Institut Professionnel de l’Immobilier) accreditation. A real estate agent’s IPI number indicates that he or she has successfully completed the curriculum and, in some cases, additional training.

Geographical knowledge of the target market

An agent who knows the area well can give you better advice on a selling price. Their recommendations are based on recent trends. For example, they know if prices have slightly increased or decreased in a neighborhood over the past few months. They can also help you determine which cities and neighborhoods suit you best. Here, it’s essential to ask yourself: “Why choose a home close to amenities?” A well-located home can significantly improve your quality of life and make your daily routine easier.

His legal and marketing skills

A real estate agent needs to know how to make a good first impression on the Internet. Most people reject home listings before they’ve even had a chance to physically visit them. Photos, videos and descriptive writing need to stand out in detail. They will be published on several sites, such as the agency’s website or a real estate portal. What’s more, you’ll need a buyer’s agent capable of finding newly listed homes on the Internet as quickly as possible.

Your real estate agent will also need managerial skills, as he or she will be involved in rental management by selecting tenants and checking their real estate rental guarantees.

Your real estate agent must be available

An agent who works full-time and isn’t overly committed to other tasks is more likely to be available when you call or text. He or she can more easily arrange last-minute visits to homes as soon as they come on the market. When interviewing agents, expect them to be willing to devote sufficient time to your needs. Whether it’s taking the time to prepare a house for sale, adapting it to your schedule, or showing you several homes every week.

Hire several part-time or 1 full-time agent?

You’ll need to decide whether you want to work with an individual agent or a team of two or more. Ideally, an agency team will work collaboratively throughout the process and have someone available when you need them. Many people decide that an individual agent is best, as they prefer to establish a relationship with one person. This person will accompany them personally every step of the way.

Validate the employment contract and commission method

When you hire a real estate agent, you must sign an employment contract. In Belgium, commissions can vary, but are generally around 4-5% of the sale price. 70% of this commission is usually retained by the agency, and the remaining 30% is the agent’s bonus. You can try to negotiate the agent’s commission if you present yourself to him/her. You can also try to negotiate if your agent is new and looking to break into the world of residential real estate. In particular, if you plan to make visits during off-peak hours, or if you can promise an immediate recommendation to another buyer.

You also want to make sure that the agent is working in his or her best interests. For example, some agencies will manage both the sale and the purchase with different agents. You might worry that your buyer’s real estate agent will fight for a lower purchase price, because the commission would be higher. If you’re comfortable with this arrangement as a home seller, you can ask for a reduced commission, as everything goes to the same real estate agency.

The risks of a mediocre real estate agent

You’ll have to put a lot of effort into hiring a real estate agent, because you have little margin for error if you want to get the best possible price for your home. The two problems that can result from an inferior agent are:

Risk of wrong price estimates

If your asking price is too high, you’ll probably get little interest and no serious offers. Potential buyers notice that a sale price continually drops while the house remains on the market for weeks or months. They often assume that something is wrong and are more likely to avoid it or reduce your price even further. If your price is too low, you could sell faster but miss out on the middle euros.

Risk of poor marketing arguments

If you have a home that lacks visual appeal, it affects how quickly the home sells and the price you’ll get. The best agents know what appeals to potential buyers and work with you to make sure your home meets the standard.

If you’re moving in the area, you can use the same agent to buy and sell. You may want to get an agency recommendation from the real estate agent if you ever move elsewhere in the area.

When entrusting a property to an agent for sale, your main considerations should be their availability and knowledge of the local market. You’ll need someone who can help you narrow down your home choices. Most people find their new home through an online search. So it’s important that the agent understands that you should visit a home as soon as possible once you see it posted online. Highly sought-after homes are often snapped up quickly.

Strong negotiating skills are a priority when working with a real estate agent.

Agents must:

• Vous indiquez le type d’offre à faire si vous achetez une maison ou, si vous vendez, déterminez si l’offre pour votre maison est acceptable.

• Vous aider à décider de négocier pour les réparations à domicile avant d’acheter ou, si vous vendez, comment gérer les coûts potentiels d’un défaut de la maison décelé lors de l’inspection.

• Tenez-vous informé à chaque étape du processus; s’ils sont trop pressés de conclure l’accord, ils pourraient vous mettre dans une situation financière difficile et un manque de temps intenable.

In addition, you’ll want an agent, whether buying or selling, to have a local network of experts to help you through the home buying or selling process. It’s much easier to get solid recommendations from your agent for lawyers, mortgage brokers, home inspectors, contractors and moving companies than it is to have to find everything yourself. You can always compare all these things, but getting a solid testimonial from your agent can go a long way.