Are you planning on buying or selling real estate in Las Vegas or Henderson? Like many services, picking a Realtor often comes down to word of mouth. Maybe somebody you work with recommended them, or perhaps it’s a family member who has a license? When undertaking one of the largest financial transactions of your life, it would behoove you to take a little extra time and find the best Realtor in Southern Nevada to fit your needs. Transactions have become more complicated over the years and you need a full time professional agent to represent you.
How many real estate agents in Las Vegas should I interview?
I’d recommend speaking to at least 3 agents that specialize in listing homes here in Las Vegas. They should be familiar with market trends, current inventory and have a network of colleagues in place such as a title company, home inspectors, mortgage lenders and attorneys. In other words, they need to have a good pulse on the community both in terms of what’s going on and who can assist in expediting your goals.
Is there a minimum level of experience that is preferred?
An agent could have worked in Las Vegas selling homes for the last ten years, but if they are only selling two a year that’s not who you want working for you. They are either working part time or they aren't very good at their job. Even in down markets people are constantly buying and selling homes. A full time Realtor in Southern Nevada should be able to carve out a steady business after a few years. In fact I've seen innovative agents get to work immediately and close millions in transactions their first year on the job.
How many transactions should an agent be closing per year?
In my opinion agents who are closing 100 transactions a year (the top percentile of Southern Nevada and national Realtors) aren't necessarily going to provide you with better service than one who closes 20 per year. In fact you may have much better access to the Realtor selling less. What you’re ultimately looking for is consistency and knowledge. While some may disagree with this, an agent who is closing a deal per month is solid in my opinion. It’s consistent and it shows the Realtor goes out and shakes the tree everyday to get business. That’s a self starter and that’s who you need. Anything more, in terms of deals closed, is even better.
The agent I spoke to said he could sell my house for much more than I think is realistic. Do they know something I don’t?
If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Nobody can defy market trends and that includes your Las Vegas Realtor. One must analyze market data and then carefully decipher it in order to position the home. An agent who is familiar with homes in communities like Aliante, Summerlin, Painted Desert and Centennial Hills should be able to look over housing statistics and do that quite easily. Ask potential brokers to show you the data and explain it to you. Any agent who promises an unrealistic price should be avoided.
How important is technology in regards to a real estate transaction?
Considering that nearly 90% of all home searches start online it’s incredibly important. Does your agent have their own website? How does it rank with Google? Will it provide you the exposure your home needs? Does he or she advertise outside of the local MLS on other real estate websites? If so, ask them to show you their advertisements. You’ll want to see how much effort they put into marketing.
What about a buyer’s agent? Are they able to effectively provide you with the latest homes here in Las Vegas via email as they come on the market? Are they proficient with PDF files and E-signatures for timely submissions? How tech savvy are they? You won’t necessarily have to be, but a tech savvy agent can save you a lot of time and get things moving much more quickly. In a competitive market that can make all the difference in the world. Slow and steady does not always win the race. Slow can mean you weren't able to sign a document until Friday and now it’s irrelevant because somebody else snapped up the home.
The agent wants me to sign an exclusive contract to list my home, should I do it?
Once you find the Realtor in Las Vegas you feel is the best fit for you, yes you’ll sign an exclusive listing agreement. Generally contracts last for 6 months at a time. Read you contract carefully and have the broker explain everything you do not understand. A listing agreement can be as long or short as you’d like it, but be realistic. For instance asking a Realtor in Spanish Trail or The Vineyards in Summerlin to sign a listing agreement for two months isn't going to be very productive.