Tips for Choosing a Real Estate Licensee

Shopping for your dream home can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Enlisting the help of a real estate licensee can make the process easier. Here are a few of the many potential benefits of working with a real estate professional:

• Get help defining and clarifying your priorities
• Help locate lenders
• Possibly negotiate the terms of sale
• Guide you in making the right decisions
• Provide education on local market conditions
• Help address your fears and concerns
• Show you homes in your price range with the features you requested                                                       

What is a Real Estate Licensee?               

A real estate licensee is a professional with legal permission (a license) to conduct real estate transactions. They might be known as a real estate agent or real estate broker. These professionals intermediate between the homebuyer and seller, assisting their clients throughout the homebuying process and making sure the sale complies with laws and regulations.

Did You Know? A real estate licensee is listed as a REALTOR® only if they are a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

How to Choose a Real Estate Licensee

Choosing a real estate licensee comes down to personal choice. This person will be an important part of your homebuying team and you might turn to them for guidance and education and trust them to help you choose the right home for you. It’s important that you feel comfortable asking them questions and communicating openly about your wishes and needs for your new home.

Many homebuyers start by asking for recommendations from family and friends who worked with real estate licensees for their own home purchase. It’s a good idea to talk to multiple licensees and ask them the same set of questions so you can compare information and make your choice. For example, if you are a first-time homebuyer you might feel more comfortable working with someone with a lot of experience helping first-time buyers.

Other sample questions include:

• How long have you been in the real estate sales profession?
• How many listings have you had and how many homes have you sold in the past year?
• Do you do this full-time or part-time?
• Do you have compatible schedules, allowing you to communicate and move quickly when you find the right home?
• What credentials do you hold?
• Do you have references I can call?

How to Search

To start your search, ask your family and friends for recommendations.

You can also search using online directories on Alaska MLS, Realtor.com, Zillow and others.

When you find a real estate professional you’re interested in working with, read online reviews, ask questions and don’t be afraid to ask for references.  

Ready to take the first step?

To learn more about choosing a real estate licensee, sign up for homebuyer education! A class can help you find your homebuying team, teach you important terms and help you map out your road to homeownership.

Sign up for an online webinar or in-person class!