Choosing to buy a home and embark on a new and exciting journey is an incredible milestone, but not having the right real estate agent by your side can hinder that experience. A top-notch realtor will help you find your dream home at a reasonable price or counsel you on the best ways to sell your home for maximum profits. At least 90% of home sellers work with a real estate agent, according to the National Association of Realtors, while 86% of buyers also team up with one. Finding an agent you trust will be imperative to the process, but because you’re entering a business partnership, knowing what to look for and how to find the best one is vital.
In Snowmass, there is so much to look forward to, with the chairlifts and hiking trails dotting the Colorado mountainsides and the stunning scenery at every turn. Don’t get too distracted, though, as you want to team up with a pro who has your best interests at heart. Although finding a broker may be easy, finding one who knows Snowmass's beauty and luxury and has what it takes to reach your aspirations is more complex.
How do you choose a Snowmass real estate agent that’s right for you? Read on to learn how to pick an agent, including what you should look for, steps to take, and how to know if they will be the right fit.
Start here
Before you begin searching for an agent, you should understand a few basic things.
What does a real estate agent do?
Photo courtesy of ShutterstockEssentially, an agent is a person who helps clients buy or sell homes. Their responsibility lies in helping their clients with the process while connecting them with a network of other professionals.
What is the difference between realtors, real estate agents, and brokers?
You might be surprised to know that a real estate agent isn’t the same as a realtor. A real estate agent is licensed to help buy, sell, or rent a home. If a real estate agent wants to become a realtor, they need to become a National Association of Realtors (NAR) member. The NAR had more than 1.6 million members as of 2022, and as a widely respected association, it’s a high standard.
Brokers go above and beyond real estate agents, as they require additional training to obtain a license. These professionals know more in-depth information on real estate, legal issues, and various other aspects of the industry.
Now that you have an idea of exactly who these professionals are and what they can do for you, let’s talk about how to find the best one.
Now that you have an idea of exactly who these professionals are and what they can do for you, let’s talk about how to find the best one.
What to look for in a Snowmass real estate agent
To start, you’ll want to compare various agents online. Even if you think you’ve found the perfect agent, making comparisons will help you determine the best one for your needs. Always check credentials and references. You want to ensure the realtor is licensed in Colorado, active, and in good standing.
Also, consider looking for any designations they hold, as the more training they’ve had, the better equipped they’ll be to help with your deal. Your chosen realtor should have plenty of knowledge about the area you’re buying or selling in, including the target buyers and market insights. This helps ensure they can find a home within your budget or adequately list your home at a reasonable yet competitive price. The more information they can give you about the area and what goes into the process, the better.
Once you’ve found a few agents to choose from, set up meetings to ask questions and get familiar with their personalities and style. You want to know them, but you also want to know how much experience they have with buying and selling a home in Snowmass. Consider having a list of essential questions on hand during the meeting. These questions will help you make your final decision:
Also, consider looking for any designations they hold, as the more training they’ve had, the better equipped they’ll be to help with your deal. Your chosen realtor should have plenty of knowledge about the area you’re buying or selling in, including the target buyers and market insights. This helps ensure they can find a home within your budget or adequately list your home at a reasonable yet competitive price. The more information they can give you about the area and what goes into the process, the better.
Once you’ve found a few agents to choose from, set up meetings to ask questions and get familiar with their personalities and style. You want to know them, but you also want to know how much experience they have with buying and selling a home in Snowmass. Consider having a list of essential questions on hand during the meeting. These questions will help you make your final decision:
- Do you have references I can check?
- Will I be working one-on-one with you or a team of agents?
- How many active clients do you work with at once?
- How many homes do you typically help buyers purchase each year?
- How long have you been working in the area?
Avoid asking personal questions, but remember, you also want an agent you get along with, so their personality is something to consider. When entering into a contract with an agent, you’ll work alongside them for quite some time and likely get to know them. The last thing you want is someone you clash with working alongside you on this significant investment deal. Ensure the agent you choose is friendly and compassionate and understands what you want and need throughout this process.
Discuss your goals in the meeting, and provide a clear picture of what you want. If you’re buying a home in Snowmass real estate, you’ll discuss price range, size, amenities, features, and what you might need for a down payment. If you’re selling, your discussion might include how many showings you’d like to have or specific marketing techniques. In either case, an excellent real estate agent will understand your goals and work with you to accomplish them.
Finally, make sure the small details matter. Real estate transactions are complex, and the smallest details can make a profound impact. This could be the list price, contract length, or bedroom size. When you find an agent, you want to ensure those details are taken into consideration.
Discuss your goals in the meeting, and provide a clear picture of what you want. If you’re buying a home in Snowmass real estate, you’ll discuss price range, size, amenities, features, and what you might need for a down payment. If you’re selling, your discussion might include how many showings you’d like to have or specific marketing techniques. In either case, an excellent real estate agent will understand your goals and work with you to accomplish them.
Finally, make sure the small details matter. Real estate transactions are complex, and the smallest details can make a profound impact. This could be the list price, contract length, or bedroom size. When you find an agent, you want to ensure those details are taken into consideration.
Know what you want from the start
Photo courtesy of UnsplashThe best thing you can do when searching for a real estate agent is to know what you want and be prepared to share it with them. Sit down and create a list of everything you want, whether selling your current home and looking for a set price or finding your dream home with a luxurious kitchen. Spend as much time as you’d like determining every detail of what you desire, and then be honest with your real estate agent about it. Honesty and transparency are important here. Every real estate agent has a team of professionals by their side, and as long as they know your goals, they’ll be able to work with you.
If you’re ready to start looking at Snowmass real estate, contact Susan & Simon Chen. As the leading luxury team for Aspen real estate, they have precisely what it takes to close your deal successfully.
*Header Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
