Why Realtors are Important

When you decide to start the journey to purchase a home, it’s important to choose the right professionals to help you. We recommend first choosing a mortgage professional first, then a real estate agent or Realtor. Realtors are important not only to find homes in your price range and desired location, but also to help execute the entire offer and closing process, in coordination with the seller and your mortgage professional. Read on to learn more about the importance of these real estate professionals, the distinctive types of real estate agents, and more. Contact Family First Mortgage in Lafayette, LA, when you have questions, to get a free quote, and to get a list of qualified real estate agents in the area.

Agent, Broker or Realtor?

Before we discuss why choosing the right Realtor is so important, it’s important to clarify what exactly distinguishes the different types of real estate professionals. A real estate agent, also known as a real estate salesperson, is a name for anyone who has been licensed in real estate and who has taken at least 60 hours of classes. Real estate agent is the umbrella term that covers all types of real estate professionals, each of which may have even further training to take on additional titles. A real estate broker is a phrase used for a real estate agent who has taken further training beyond the agent level – specifically at 180 hours of broker-specific training. Brokers work alone or as part of a team. A REALTOR (often stylized Realtor) is a real estate agent who has sworn to uphold the requirements of the National Association of REALTORS. Realtors are still real estate agents, but with further certification and the backing of a national professional group.

Finding the Right Professional for Your Needs

We have several Realtor partners whom we always recommend to our clients. However, we do encourage our clients to speak with several candidates before deciding who to work with. The right real estate agent, broker, or Realtor can make the difference between a smooth or a frustrating homebuying process. There are a few ways you can ensure you are choosing someone not only who is experienced, but also someone with whom you can easily communicate and express your feelings and desires.

We recommend that you ask any potential agents how long they have been practicing in the industry and ask for proof of when they were certified. You’ll also want to know how long they have worked for buyers (as opposed to selling them), and how much of all this work history has happened in Lafayette. Working with someone from another part of Louisiana or even another state isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but at least a few years of local expertise may mean better local connections and a better understanding of different neighborhoods.

We also recommend that you ask any real estate candidates for former clients you can chat with. A great real estate agent, broker, or Realtor will have a readily available list of happy clients who you can speak with on a private call about their impressions.

Lastly, we recommend that you ask potential agents, brokers, or Realtors how much time they can commit to finding homes for you. Some agents only work with one or two clients at a time, which means they may be able to devote more time to your needs. Others take on more clients, and many of those work as part of agencies or in partnerships, which can have benefits and downfalls. Talk with candidates about your schedule, your timeline, and how much time your agent will need to devote to you each week.

Start Building a Team to Help You Succeed

When you’re ready to learn more, contact Family First Mortgage in Lafayette, LA. We will tell you more a about why Realtors are important and can help connect you with some potential candidates. We also offer free quotes and consultations, so call us to get started today.

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