How to Find the Best San Diego Real Estate Agent

Nov 02, 2022

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Originally Posted On: https://www.mogul-realestate.com/blog/how-to-find-the-best-san-diego-real-estate-agent/

To call the 2022 real estate market a seller’s market is an understatement. In July 2022, the median price for a home was $403,800 in the United States, an increase of 10.8% from July 2021.

The San Diego real estate market is no different. However, a home in San Diego will almost certainly cost more than the national median.

People love the real estate California has to offer for its beautiful weather and access to beaches, mountains, and lakes. As a result, home prices tend to run higher, especially in the more exclusive areas like San Diego.

If you’re looking to buy a home in San Diego, a real estate agent can help you move as fast as the market. But with so many real estate agencies, finding the best agent for your needs is no small task.

If you aren’t sure where to start in your search for a real estate agent, this article will help. Read on to learn everything you need to know about finding a California real estate agent!

What Real Estate Agents Do

A real estate agent walks people through the process of buying or selling their homes. Generally, real estate agents have to get and maintain licensure from the state they work in.

Real estate agents can represent a buyer or seller in a transaction depending on if they are a buyer’s agent or a listing agent.

In some cases, an agent can represent both the buyer and seller in a transaction. However, having an agent solely representing you can help you get the best deal.

A licensed agent can obtain further certifications and licenses and become a realtor or real estate broker. Brokers are licensed by the state to oversee other realtors and can operate independently or with an agency.

Do I Need an Agent?

Typically, agents charge a commission of 5%-6% of the home’s value. The seller is usually the one who pays this fee though, so it shouldn’t be a deterrent to buyers.

The most common situation where a realtor isn’t involved is when family members are making an exchange. Other less common reasons not to use a real estate agent include:

The seller refuses to pay the commission fee
The buyer has purchased several properties and knows the process well
The buyer has a real estate attorney on retainer who can advise them

You should only attempt to buy or sell a home without a realtor if you are extremely confident in your ability to evaluate it.

Buying vs Selling a Home

Buyers should almost always use a real estate agent, but what about sellers? With home prices so high, even after the expense of commission fees, sellers stand to make a great profit on real estate.

Finding a real estate agent to help sell your home, you should expect them to provide several key pieces of information. The agent should be able to tell you:

What they think your home is worth
Things you can do to increase your home’s value
What similar homes are going for
Their marketing strategy

If a real estate agent can’t tell you all of this, you should consider another one instead. A listing agent’s main focus should be getting you the most money for your home.

On the other hand, a buyer faces a completely different set of challenges. Buyers’ agents help their clients find the best home while staying within their budget.

A buyer’s agent helps them through the negotiation process while keeping them informed on housing market trends.

How to Choose a San Diego Real Estate Agent

Luckily, with the internet, it’s easier than ever to screen agents.

There are a few avenues you can use to narrow down your options to about three agents. From there, you can interview them to determine if they’re the right choice for you.

Ask Friends and Family for Recommendations

The easiest way to get recommendations you can trust is by asking people you trust. A quick post on social media and a few texts to some friends can get you several references in a day.

If you ask a friend or relative about an agent, use the opportunity to get an unbiased review of their experience. Chances are if someone close to you had a good experience with an agent, you will too.

Try an Agent Matching Service

If you’re looking for a home in an area with many agencies like San Diego, you may be overwhelmed by all the options. In this case, you might consider an agent matching service.

These services take the time to learn about your situation and recommend vetted agents. Use a matching service to find 2 or 3 agents to interview, and then make the final selection yourself.

Research Online

This is the most time-consuming approach, but it will give you the most control over the process. Look for agencies with reputable websites and good reviews, and be sure to see what reviewers are saying specifically.

Not all buyers are looking for the same qualities in an agent, so it’s important to read through other peoples’ experiences. This also shouldn’t be how you make a final decision, only how you narrow down realtors to interview.

Find the Perfect Home

In today’s San Diego real estate market, it’s more important than ever to find the best agent before buying a home.

Choose a few good agents to interview using internet research and recommendations from friends and family. Then interview your top choices to choose the agent that’s right for you.

Mogul Real Estate has years of experience working with both buyers and sellers in the Temecula area. No matter your situation, we’ll get you the best value in today’s market.