Buying your first home can be both an exciting and stressful experience. Before you get started on the house hunt, it’s important to choose an experienced real estate agent who can help you navigate every step of the process. From browsing listings to handling negotiations and paperwork, a Realtor^® is committed to helping homebuyers and home sellers achieve a successful real estate transaction. Here are a few questions you should ask your real estate agent when hunting for your first home.

What Is Your Experience & Education?

While every state requires a real estate agent to be trained and licensed to practice, it’s still important to ask about their education and experience. A seasoned agent will have local market knowledge, as well as the expertise to handle all contracts and negotiations.

What Are Your Fees?

Many agents don’t charge upfront fees for their services. Instead, they take a percentage of the final asking price on the home. However, it’s still important to ask this question before you start house hunting so you can negotiate, if necessary.

How Many Clients Do You Currently Have?

While you can’t expect to be your real estate agent’s only client, this is a necessary question to ask. Your agent should have enough time in their schedule to browse listings, take you on tours, and negotiate with sellers. The more buyers they are working with, the less personal attention you will be given.

If you need a real estate agent with proven success in Waterloo, IL, turn to JoAnn Meier at RE/MAX First Choice. With her extensive knowledge of the local market and years of experience, the friendly agent will be happy to answer all your questions and relieve some of the stress. Call (618) 939-6003 today to schedule a consultation, or visit the website to browse her current local listings.