Whether you are selling or buying a home, there is a lot of financial pressure surrounding real estate since it’s such an expensive purchase. Finding a real estate agent you trust is important to ensure you get the best possible experience. A seasoned agent can help you make smart choices and avoid any expensive mistakes.

 

However, buying or selling coastal real estate differs from other types of house properties. If you are looking at real estate on Topsail Island, you’ll want to work with real estate agents that understand the local market and property situations specific to the island.

Finding a real estate agent or team you trust can be time-consuming and difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. We’ll go over some of the top tips to find an amazing real estate agent that understands the community and market of Topsail Island.

What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?

If you’ve never worked with a real estate agent before, you might not realize all the benefits of working with one. Agents do a lot to ensure you find the right home, avoid mistakes, and guide you through the complex real estate buying and selling process. Real estate agents should work to get you favorable results.

  • They can find you the right home. Seasoned real estate agents that are dialed into the community and local market will have the inside scoop. They may even know when a house might go up for sale before the general public.
  • They can help you place a strategic offer. Sometimes, competition can be fierce for a home. When that happens, they can give you advice for beating out other offers.
  • They can help get you into your new home quicker. They can help speed up the whole process up to the final closing papers.
  • They can answer questions about legal and technical paperwork. When you buy or sell a house, there is a lot of paperwork involved. Agents can help guide you through the process and answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding the paperwork.
  • They’ll help you sell your house quickly for its full value. Selling a home can take some extra work. Agents will help you stage, set the right price, and negotiate a good deal.

What Is the Difference Between Buyers’ and Sellers’ Agents?

Depending on if you are buying or selling your home, you will need a local realtor that has experience representing buyers or sellers. A buyers’ agent will help you find properties that fit your needs. They may even have the inside scoop on properties that will go up for sale before they hit the market. They’ll also help you with the negotiation process to ensure that you get the best deal possible.

Sellers’ agents represent the seller. If you’re selling your home, you’ll want to find a real estate agent that can stage your house, help set a realistic price, and put together marketing materials–listings, photos, descriptions, etc.

Tips for Finding a Great Real Estate Agent

Finding a real estate agent that you trust is important. However, if you don’t already have a professional in mind, selecting an agent can feel difficult. You want to find one that knows the market and has the skills to buy or sell your home for the best price. Here are some tips for finding the right agent for your needs

Think About Your Needs

You should go with Topsail realtors that have the right experience to sell your home. For instance, you might want to go with a local realtor that has past experience buying homes in your price range. Or if you’re selling your home, you might want someone with marketing skills and connections that will be able to sell your home.

If you are a first-time home buyer, then you might like someone that can help you with every step of the process. Conversely, if you have a seasoned real estate history, you should work with someone who can respect your autonomy but still jump in when needed throughout the process.

It’s important to think about what qualities you are looking for in a realtor. The right realtor can make or break your real estate experience, so taking the time and care to think about your needs will help you choose the right professional.

Ask Around

One of the best ways to find a real estate agent is by word of mouth. Ask your friends, colleagues, or neighbors for recommendations. They might have a connection with an experienced real estate agent or know the best team on the island to work with for the real estate business.

Research

It’s important to do research on any prospective Topsail realtors you’re considering for the job. Read through their websites, career profiles, and bios for additional information that will help you decide if they are the right fit for you. You’ll be able to learn more about their specialties, experience, and past clients’ reviews.

Go with a Local

It’s important to find a real estate agent that understands the Topsail Island market, history, and insider information. Before you settle on an agent, you should ask questions to make sure that they have the knowledge and experience necessary. An agent that is well-versed in the island’s real estate market will help you set realistic goals and expectations for the buying or selling process. If they’re local to the area, they’ll also have helpful tips and experience about things you might be aware of, like flooding insurance and maintenance issues particular to the island’s location. Here are some questions to think about as you choose an agent.

  • How long have they worked in the real estate industry on Topsail Island?
  • How many homes have you closed/sold in the last six months?
  • How long do homes typically stay on the market after being listed?

Check out their Connections

It’s helpful to choose a real estate team or agent with strong ties to the local community. Whether you’ve lived in the area your whole life or if you’re moving to the island for the first time, it helps to have people that have a lot of connections to businesses and contacts on the island. This connection can serve you in the buying or selling practice, as they might know about properties before they are listed or get your house’s listing in front of qualified local buyers quickly.

Finding the right realtor can feel overwhelming when you need help figuring out where to start. Overall, it’s essential to research and vet potential real estate teams or agents before deciding on one to work with you. A local realtor can help you save money and time and get the results you want. Some of the best things you can do to find the right realtor are to do your own research and think about your needs. A local realtor with experience and connections within the Topsail community is a great place to start. If you’re beginning your search for Topsail realtors, you might be interested in learning more about the Lewis Realty Associates, Inc team. With extensive ties to the Topsail Island community, a long history on the island, and a seasoned team of professionals, you can find the right agent that will meet your needs.