How To Meet Your New Realtor!

Buying and selling a home can be a very daunting task. There are deadlines, inspections, home warranties, appraisals, surveys, earnest money deposits, and not to mention multiple offers that Buyers and Sellers must face in today's real estate market. For some, this is a nerve wracking expereince. A home is a very big purchase, and sometimes you need some help navigating the contract to closing process. The great thing is, Realtors do this daily and are always happy to help you find your new "home sweet home". 

You may be thinking, How do I find a Realtor? What if I don't know anyone in the area to refer me to a Realtor? How do I know that they will be there through the process with me? Are they experienced in this field? How do I know we will work seamlessly together? What if I start working with someone, but we don't see eye to eye? 

In this technology driven real estate market, there are many ways to find a real estate agent or Realtor. Yes, there is a difference between the two! You can simply Google a phrase like "Realtor The Woodlands". Zillow and Trulia are also working the get plenty of agents on their site to help out potential homeowners. There are also Google ads, Craigslist Ads, flyers, billboards, even moving trucks with Realtor information on them. These are great ways for homeowners to find out names of active Realtors, but how do you find out how they work? 

HAR has a great tool called the "Client Experience Star Rating System". Once an agent completes a transaction, the homeowner/renter will receive an email asking about their experience working with their agent. This is a fantastic way to get to know a Realtor before you meet them. Your fellow Buyers, Sellers and Renters can give honest opinions on how they felt their Agent represented them. Who better to trust, than someone who has walked the same path you will?!? Agents also get to see these comments, so if there is a category that they need to work on, they know what to focus on for future clients. What a wonderful way to not only give fellow owners your opinion, but also help your Realtor give fantastic service if they aren't aleady!

Now, checking out their rating isn't the only way to see how they work. You can also check out their website, blogs, yelp reviews, google reviews, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and Instagram profiles. You can even call them from a listing on HAR! But with all this technology, that personal touch still seems lacking right? 

How about meeting an agent in person just for a "meet 'n greet"? Contact them and ask to view a home in your area. Maybe let them know you want to get to know them before starting a business transaction with them. I know that I'm always happy to meet new people (and old friends) at Starbucks just to chat. What a better way to get to know someone, and grab a coffee or tea while you're there? 

Agents tend to have a different schedule every day. What if you can't find a time to meet at Starbucks? How else can you meet us? Why not at an open house? It's a great way to meet them in "work mode" without having a transaction going. You also get to see a wonderful house that they can tell you all about, figure out what you really like in a home, and maybe even get a small dessert too! This way you can multitask, and still have that face to face time with an agent. 

Wanting to meet your Realtor, and do something fun in the community? Realtors always know what is going on in the community, so ask them what events are coming, and plan to attend one with them! Here in The Woodlands, there are always happy hours, concerts, movies, live bands, crawfish boils, shows, new stores opening, new restraunts opening, kayaking and more! Why not try out the jogging trails with your agent. Great way to get to know them and burn some calories! 

One thing to keep in mind when finding a Realtor, is that as an agent, it is our pleasure to help you find "home sweet home", see smiling faces at the closing table and for years to come. 

Ready to start getting to know your Realtor? Why not start this weekend? Below are 2 open houses that The Englehardt Team will be hosting. Stop by, get to know us, and see 2 wonderful homes! 

Open House: 3643 Avalon Spring in The Falls at Imperial Oaks on Saturday 2-4 pm! 

https://houstonarea.har.com/3643-avalon-spring-ln/sale_55163828

Open House: 2226 W. Settlers Way in Settlers Corner on Sunday 2-4pm!

https://houstonarea.har.com/2226-w-settlers-way/sale_31142394

https://web.har.com/aws/aws.cfm?agent_number=624424

Happy Friday y'all!

Amanda