Columbus is a rapidly-growing city that's known for its unique culture rich with Midwestern roots, funky festivals, major attractions, and never a dull day. The city is currently the 15th largest in America.
Housing in Columbus is a good market for both buyers and sellers. The city is growing very fast, but there are still many central neighborhoods where you can get a lot of home for your money. Whether you are relocating to Columbus or simply moving from another part of town, use these four steps to find real estate agents in Columbus that will be your partner through the journey.
Find a Real Estate Agent That Fits Your Niche
When looking for a real estate agent, you'll need to ensure that you choose an agent who will work with you as a partner. That means that you should select someone who's familiar with working in the nice are you're looking for.
For example, if you're a young professional looking to buy a townhome within close proximity to your office, your best bet will be to start by looking at the top real estate agents in Columbus who focus on housing in the downtown and business areas of the city.
You'll find that most real estate agents tend to have certain pockets of Columbus that they work in most frequently. These are the real estate agents who will often know of listings as soon as they're put on the market, giving you a strong advantage in your search.
Check Past and Existing Listings
When you have narrowed down the search to find a real estate agent, take a good look into the homes they currently have listed as well as information about the types of houses or townhomes they have most recently worked with clients to purchase.
You want to make sure that the agent you work with has a wealth of experience helping clients close on the type of home that you're looking for. For example, an agent that has mostly worked with clients seeking condos or townhomes downtown may provide less value for you if you're looking for a family home with a decent amount of land.
Talk with Recent Clients
The most important thing you can do when considering partnering with a real estate agent is to get a verbal referral from two or three recent clients. Real estate agents may have written testimonials to show you. While these are helpful, speaking one-on-one with an agent’s past clients will provide you with the most benefit.
Verify Level of Experience
It's a good rule of thumb to seek out a best-selling real estate agent in Columbus who has around five years of experience or more. Typically, an agent with less than five years of successful home closings will still be in the learning phase.
While this isn’t always true, years of experience are a good indicator of their mastery of the local real estate market. Additionally, it never hurts to ask a potential agent how long they have been working in real estate in Columbus and/or how long they've lived in Columbus. The longer an agent has lived in an area, the more intricate knowledge they will have of the area. Their knowledge will be a big benefit to you during your home search.
Find more information on housing in Columbus and other real estate news by registering on 614area, your free guide to the Columbus area.
