Lake Ridge Virginia Real Estate Help For Sellers and Buyers: How do you find a good REALTOR when relocating to a new area?

Let me share a story with you. A relocating buyer who recently  purchased a home in Woodbridge Virginia  knew exactly what she wanted. She had been searching online and had actually narrowed her search herself online.  She did finally hire a Buyers Agent to help her, however she was less than pleased with the entire process and the communication level of the people whom she trusted to help her along the way.

Let me share with you her experience so that this will not happen to you.

It was time to make a house hunting trip to Woodbridge Virginia to make her final decision.  This is her story:

The house you had listed was the one I wanted from the beginning, and I was looking for the Realtor so the sellers didn't have to pay and additional three percent. I knew what I wanted, and once I verified the area, schools, neighborhood and distance from work I was good. I was using realtor.com app and thought I finally found the agent for that home but it turn out to be an agent on that website. Had I lived in the area, I would have seen the sign outside the house and called you. But I did all this from where I lived. I had exactly one weekend starting Saturday for 24 hours. I was a guarantee sale. But I did want to look at other houses to show my spouse. He was away. The house I ultimately purchased  was my #1 pick. The first Realtor took me all over and got me lost and I stared at my phone all day while giving her directions. I saw 3 houses in the only full day I had. It was horrible!

Ultimately, I found a Buyers Agent to help me. Although in the beginning was great....has a serious communication issue after the fact.

That's our story....

When you are searching for a good local real estate agent to help you, how should you go about finding one?

You have several options:

1. If you know a REALTOR® you like where you currently live, give them a call and say "I'm relocating to Woodbridge Virginia ( or fill in the blank)and I would like to know if you know anyone in that area or could you find an real estate that works like you do? Most real estate would be happy to assist you.
2. You can do a Google Search. For example you could type in "who is a good real estate agent in Woodbridge Virginia" or "who is a good REALTOR® in Woodbridge Virginia" or whatever your destination town is.
3. You can even type into Facebook. Realtor in Woodbridge Virginia. If they have a business page you can learn what they are doing, what kind of homes they sell, are they busy? Are they tech savvy? You can see their photo and information and make your decision that way.

The trap that this relocation buyer fell into was this. She has her mind set that she wanted to deal directly with the listing agent to save everyone money including herself.  Well, that logic doesn't always work since the listing agreement that the listing agent and seller has already lays out the terms on what would happen in the case of a buyer wanting to use the listing agent to buy the home. In many cases, the agent could earn double the commission since they ultimately could be working for the seller. In that case you would be considered an un-represented buyer. Many real estate companies will not even do these types of transactions. Or the listing agent could act as a Dual Agent which means they assist both buyer and seller without crossing the lines, duties and responsibilities for each to be able to purchase the home. ( A difficult transaction for the most experienced agents) Having your own Buyers Agent who represents your interest alone, when purchasing real estate is the best.

The second trap this relocating buyer fell into was getting entangled with a REALTOR® who did not know the area. She was a paid advertiser on Realtor.com that just happened to rotate onto the home that this relocating buyer want. As you can see from the relocating buyers explanation above, she was on a short timeframe to look at other homes and to make her decision. Talk about a stressful situtation. Oh my....buying a home is suppose to be a fun experience not a nightnare.

The good news is she ultimately settled on the home she wanted from the very beginning. The one she found online herself. The challenges along the way could have been avoided if she had a good road map to follow. Hopefully if you are relocating to the Woodbridge Virginia area, you will give me a call. Here are some reviews. I've been a full time REALTOR® working int he local Prince William County Virginia area for over twenty years.
Read some of my reviews