Located on the edge of the stunning San Francisco Bay, Berkeley is an ideal destination for families, professionals, retirees, and students to live the life they’ve always dreamed of in a paradise on California’s coast. The area is a very popular destination for opportunities in higher education. People from around the world choose to call Berkeley home because of the opportunity for cultural experiences, world-class restaurants, expansive art scene and, of course, the stunning ocean views.
Berkeley is an upscale locale, with the average home price being listed by Zillow at around $1.2 million. Additionally, the average home only stays listed for a little over a month. If you are looking to go through the real estate process in Berkeley, you need to make sure you choose a truly exceptional agent. Here are some simple tips to find a great agent that will make the process a breeze!
Pay Attention to Their Online Profile
When you are using a site like Effective Agents or simply searching on something like top-selling realtors® in Berkeley pay close attention to their online profiles. Real estate agents are naturally very driven personality types, meaning their online biography on their brokerage’s website should be able to give you an insight into their work type. For example, you’ll want to verify if they have received a good number of professional awards. Also, check for advanced training and any accolades they have received. There are plenty of opportunities in the real estate field to gain awards and accreditations. This means that a lack of professional accolades is usually a red flag.
Try to Find a Hyper-Local Agent
Berkeley is an ideal location for people to move to. If you are purchasing a home, you’ll want to find a Realtor® in Berkeley that is very knowledgeable about your specific niche. For example, if you are moving for higher education, you should find an agent that works often with college students and their parents. Additionally, if you are selling your home, you’ll want to partner with an agent that has a good deal of experience in your niche neighborhood or part of town.
Ask a Recent Client or Two
One of the best things you can do when selecting an agent is to get two or three references from past clients. You should also ask directly about contacting those recent clients. An open conversation will give you a better picture of that agent’s work ethic than a written testimonial. However, this isn’t always a possibility.
Ask Direct Questions
Ask direct questions about why a potential agent stands out from the rest. Ask them to describe their approach to a client-relator partnership. Asking direct questions will allow you to get a near-immediate idea of how confident they are in their skills as a real estate agent. Many people worry about making sure an agent likes them during an initial meeting. However, remember that at the end of the day you are essentially hiring them for their services. Don’t be afraid to get them to sell those services to you a little bit!
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