How to Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas. Many reasons for this are proximity to services, education, and potential jobs. However, there is a massive spike in young families, investors, and individuals migrating to rural communities.

Before the global pandemic, only about 0.01% of people moved to rural neighborhoods. Since 2021, that number has skyrocketed to 0.49%. The reasons for this are simple. People enjoy the freedom, space, and sense of a calmer pace of life compared to the often breakneck speed of living in a city.

As more and more families focus on owning land for hunting, fishing, and a more naturally connected lifestyle, real estate agents are popping up left and right to help streamline the purchasing of homes. For example, in the State of Maine (a predominantly rural state), the number of real estate agents to handle the increased service demand has risen over 14% since 2019.

If you or a loved one is seeking to purchase land, homes, or other real estate in rural communities, you need a trustworthy agent to walk you through the process and keep your best interests in mind. Let’s look closer at how you can find the best real estate agent for your needs.

Why Work with a Real Estate Agent?

First, let’s clear something up quickly. A real estate agent is different from a real estate broker. You may hear the terms interchangeably, but the primary difference is that a broker has additional education and a higher level of licensing than agents. Many agents work for brokerages as a team. Odds are, if you’re seeking a high-value property or a commercial asset, you will want to seek a broker-supported agent.

Regardless of your choice, an experienced real estate agent is there to help you navigate the available properties on the market. They can key you into various trends, property valuations, and negotiation strategies to get the best value for your money.

These skills are beneficial when you’re seeking a more rural community. Finding a local real estate agent ensures you get the inside scoop on nearby hunting areas, swimming holes, weather conditions, and other concerns about your future home.

Many smaller towns or properties with large tracts of land are set in communities with a unique identity. A qualified and insightful local agent will outline those characteristics, so you get more value for your transaction than just numbers. You’ll learn the intrinsic invaluable points of your community that can be the key to unlocking high future returns.

Tips for Finding the Best Real Estate Agent

Once you have a target area in mind, it’s time to whittle down your selection of candidates to the best-fit real estate agents or brokers for your investment. These tips will help guide you on your way.

1 – Start with a Number

Before you contact anyone, you need to have a firm grip on your budget. One of the first questions an experienced real estate agent will ask is your buying power. You can get pre-approved for a mortgage through your preferred lender or have assets ready to move and validate before starting your search for an agent.

Sometimes, your chosen agents will have strong relationships with local banking or funding resources. This is a double-edged sword, as that can involve kickbacks to the agent. It’s best to have your assets in a row before contacting anyone. Then, if their connections offer better rates, you’re in an excellent position to make a choice.

2 – Get Referrals

Quality real estate agents live and breathe by the networks of previous, current, and referral clients they have. Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, or even local Facebook groups to determine which agents will suit you.

A good referral from someone who received a great property for the value and had a seamless communication experience with that agent is worth its weight in gold. Just be sure to mention your property type. Many agents and brokers specialize in commercial, residential, rural (country homes), or lakeside properties.

3 – Research Candidates

Time to get to work! You want to examine the history and public persona of any candidates on your real estate agent shortlist. Start with:

• BBB Rating
• Local Community Memberships (Lion’s Club, Elks, Chamber of Commerce, etc.)
• Social Media Profiles (Especially LinkedIn)
• Customer Ratings & Comments
• Online Reviews and Web Presence

By the end, you should have a solid description of the agent, what they specialize in, and which clients seem to have the best relationships. For example, if you’re looking for a country home to grow gardens, look for an agent who mentions the growing season in their posts.

4 – Interview Top 3 Agents

You should now be able to shrink your list to the top three real estate agents in the target area. What will make the difference now is how they compare and contrast to one another in person or over a Zoom call.

Don’t be afraid to get into the nitty-gritty here. Ask questions like:

• What is their experience in the real estate market niche you are targeting?
• Do they work full- or part-time?
• How many clients are currently on their books?
• What listings are they actively managing?
• What is their typical home price range or neighborhoods?
• Do they have any preferred methods of communication?
• What are the details on commissions and fees?

The answers to questions like these should break down which of the three will be your top choice. Based on their responses, you can accurately assess which agent aligns best with your needs. Put them in order (1,2,3) and then move on to the next steps.

5 – Check References & Credentials

Every agent you work with should be fully licensed and/or certified to work in your local area. If they cannot provide such licensing, you should immediately contact the state’s real estate board to ensure they are a “real” real estate agent.

The goal is to ensure legitimacy in their field. Remember, this is not only a financial situation but a legal one. You don’t want to run afoul of some long-forgotten law that leaves you dealing with a property in complete disrepair. A quality agent or broker will happily show you their credentials because they worked hard to achieve that status.

6 – Trust Your Gut!

The final step is personal to you. It’s time to trust your gut. Settle down to a lovely evening meal, have a relaxing tea or drink, and consider which agent appeals to you the most. Then, schedule that call and start exploring future properties to invest in.

Your gut is the best resource you have. If you don’t feel your gut has been helpful in the past, invite a friend or family member to go along for the ride with you. That way, you have a second opinion on hand to validate your feelings.

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Working with a great real estate agent is a wonderful experience. They are incentivized to do the best for you because that is how they earn a living and grow their business. As long as you research ahead of time, you should have a fantastic time finding an excellent new property for investing, family vacations, or settling down inside.

The last tip to think about is always to read the bottom line of any contract. You should be properly prepared for any situation to make the best decision possible about your future.

Living in the fresh air of the countryside is a beautiful way to reconnect with nature, get freedom from crowds, and enjoy a much slower style. Find the agent that best fits that dream, and you will be rewarded with plenty of opportunities to choose from.