Learning Center

Finding the Right REALTOR^® is an Important First Step

Choosing the right real estate agent is a key step in the home buying process. ZipRealty wants to make it easy for you to evaluate local real estate agents, determine which ones might best serve your needs, and connect with them online. When you’re ready, the agent you’ve selected will be happy to start working with you in person and through ZipRealty’s “always-on” communication systems.

Get Started by Getting Good Advice

• Check the list of REALTORs^® in your area, and start learning about their local knowledge, individual experience and professional expertise through ZipRealty’s detailed online REALTOR^® profiles. Ratings and reviews written by prior clients and current customers give you even more insight into agents’ skills and strengths.
• Narrow the field down and interview a few of the REALTORs^® that appear to best fit your needs and interests.
• Ask for references! In addition to past clients, real estate agents typically work with dozens of bankers, inspectors, appraisers, lawyers and others in the real estate trade – get their views on the agent you might choose to have working for you.

Questions You Might Not Know to Ask

Buyer’s Agents versus Seller’s Agents

What is the difference between a Buyer's Agent and a Seller's Agent?
Most states have what is called a Buyer's Agent, which is a real estate agent that is “hired” by the buyer to help find the right home at the best price and to manage the transaction process with you all the way through to a successful closing. Keep in mind that “hiring” a Buyer’s Agent only means that this agent is working for you, the buyer – you won’t actually pay them anything, even when they help you find and buy the house of your dreams. In the real estate business, the Buyer’s Agent is paid by the Home Seller, not the Home Buyer (the Seller also pays the Seller’s Agent).

A Seller's Agent, often referred to as the Listing Agent, is a real estate agent hired by the seller to market and sell their home. The main goal of a Seller's Agent is to sell the seller's home at the highest price possible and in the shortest amount of time.

Why work with a Buyer’s Agent instead of a Seller’s Agent?
Working with a Buyer's Agent will ensure that you, as a buyer, have an agent working in your best interest. Often a Seller’s Agent will seek to represent both the Seller and the Buyer, making claims to the Buyer that they can pave an “inside track” for the Buyer because they are also working with the Seller. However, there is a natural conflict of interest in this dual-sided agent relationship – How can an agent working on both sides of a single transaction seek the highest possible price for the seller client and, at the same time, negotiate for the most reasonable price for you, the buyer? They can’t, and that’s why most buyers choose to work with a Buyer’s Agent of their own.

Experienced Agents versus Newer Agents

Is the most seasoned agent always the best choice?
When you’re choosing your real estate agent, experience counts, but remember that there are other factors that might be just as important in finding the right fit. Even if an agent is relatively new to real estate, they may have a solid history of employment or training in areas that would complement you and your particular home search. Financial planning experts, former litigators, and even customer service ninjas can all become outstanding REALTOR^®s, so think carefully before blindly opting for the longest tenured agent. It is possible you’ll find an agent who has lived their entire life right in the area where you’re searching – they’ll know things other agents will never pick up. Study the agents’ online profiles carefully, and get a good feel for everything they have to offer. The important thing is that you work with the REALTOR^® that’s right for you.

Real Estate Agent versus REALTOR^®

Broker, agent, REALTOR^® – what’s the difference and why all the terminology?
A broker is a real estate agent who has a broker license. A real estate agent is someone who has a real estate license, and a REALTOR^® is someone who belongs to the National Association of REALTORs^® (NAR). Agents and brokers who are REALTORS^® agree to adhere to a strict code of ethics and professional standards of practice, both of which are updated annually to incorporate the most important current issues in real estate law and practice. In most cases, finding a licensed real estate professional who has the knowledge and ability to serve your needs and who will work with you on your terms is more important than worrying about the titles and association memberships.

At ZipRealty we only hire licensed real estate agents who are also REALTORs^®.

Working with a ZipRealty REALTOR^®

How do ZipRealty agents compare to those who work for other brokerages?
Your goal is to work with a REALTOR^® who is knowledgeable, friendly and hardworking and who values your time as much as you do. That means an agent who returns your calls quickly, answers your questions candidly and accurately, and when you’re ready to move forward, they’re ready, too. Ideally, your agent is thinking about you and your house search even when you’re not on the phone or in the field with them. Finding the right house requires persistence and attention, by both you and your agent. You need someone you can trust.

In many cases, the perfect combination of accountability, responsiveness and knowledge might be hard to come by, but at ZipRealty we consider these to be the basics.

In addition to providing you with “the basics,” your ZipRealty REALTOR^® will do the following:

• Help you find the right home for you, in your area and price range
• Work with you to prepare an offer to purchase the house and professionally present it to the Seller’s Agent
• Negotiate on your behalf with the seller or Seller’s Agent after the offer is presented
• Work with the title company, the lender, and the seller or seller's agent to arrange all necessary inspections
• Review and discuss the inspection report to you and negotiate with the seller or Seller’s Agent for any repairs to the home
• Serve as your “point person” to make sure the closing process goes smoothly and ensure all contracts and addendums are prepared and completed