Choosing a real estate agent or Realtor in Louisiana can be one of the most important tasks you do to buy or sell a home. You will have to do a little research to ensure you get the best real estate agent in your area, but it’s worth it in the long run. Studies show that a Rockstar real estate agent can sell your home for more money or can help you find the perfect home within your budget by using their network.
First, let’s discus what exactly a real estate agent does. A real estate agent in Louisiana has multiple functions including assisting you with the sale of your home as well as helping you as a buyer. You can hire them to list your home or to help you find the home of your dreams. Real estate agents have tools that help them locate properties and value homes. They also have a wide network that they can utilize to get eyes on your property or to know when a home or investment property is about to hit the market before anyone else knows.
What’s the difference between a Real Estate agent and a Realtor?
You’ve probably heard the terms real estate agent and Realtor when discussing the same individuals. The terms are usually interchangeable, but there are some small distinctions. A real estate agent in Louisiana is any individual that has a real estate license. Louisiana has specific requirements that agents must complete in order to get a license to sell real estate. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) gives real estate agents the ability to conduct business. A real estate agent must work under the direct supervision of a real estate broker and cannot work independently or open up their own shop unless they become a real estate broker.
A Realtor is a real estate agent that is a member of the National Association of Realtors. They belong to a state association and usually a local association in their area. They not only have to follow the state guidelines for their licensing, but also have another code of ethics or professional standards that they must follow as well. A realtor goes beyond Louisiana licensing requirements and can earn certifications in specific areas of real estate and must complete extra training. Realtors also have a broader network which is important to serve their clients to the best of their abilities.
Most real estate agents in Louisiana become Realtors as there are numerous benefits to having the designation. Every realtor is a real estate agent, but not every real estate agent is a realtor. Most realtors advertise their designation.
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Agent in Louisiana
There are a few factors you can use to help with your search for the best real estate agent to sell your home or to act as a buyer’s agent.
Experience
A real estate agent with experience will have a few extra tools to help you sell your home. Experience doesn’t always mean better, but a real estate agent with years of experience in a particular market will have connections with people they’ve built over the years. This can make a positive impact on how long your home sits on the market. Experience also comes into play when pricing your home. An incorrectly priced home can sit for years without any active buyers. An experienced real estate agent will know how to price your home for the area.
Genre
Not all real estate agents sell the same types of property. Some specifically sell commercial property, some investment property, while others focus mainly on single-family homes. You should seek out a real estate agent that has experience selling your type of home and in your particular market.
Reputation
A sales person is only as good as their reputation. All you have to do is ask around town and people will tell you what they know about a particular real estate agent. Your home could be harder to sell if no one wants to work with your real estate agent. A real estate with a stellar reputation will have people wanting to buy from them and will have a large number of connections that can help them sell your property faster.
Client Reviews
This is similar to reputation, except you can easily Google real estate agent reviews on numerous websites. Do some research on your potential choices to see what other clients have said. Keep in mind with client reviews that not everyone has the best intentions when posting. Some post negative reviews maliciously and never worked with the real estate agent. It’s always good to do some internet research just to see what’s out there before signing the contract.
Current Listings
If you’re hiring a listing real estate agent, you may want to take into consideration their current listings. If they have numerous homes exactly like yours, you may wonder if they will show your home or one of their other listings. However, the fact that they have homes like yours under contract also means they know how to price and have people calling them to view properties. If they have only large commercial properties listed and you want to sell a 3-bedroom home, you may want to find a real estate agent that handles your type of property.
Personality
It’s important that you get along with your real estate agent. You will likely have to speak with them often, so you want to make sure your personalities match. This doesn’t mean you have to necessarily like them, but you need to establish a working relationship with them. You may be working with this sales professional for months and sometimes years, so you need to be sure you can count on them.
Conclusion
Choosing the best real estate agent you can find could mean selling your home faster and for more money. It’s important that you do your research and find someone that will keep your best interests at heart and do the best job possible. Good luck!
Real Estate License Lookup
Choosing the best real estate agent in Louisiana is a big task. There are numerous great choices in your area and you probably have friends and family members that have real estate licenses.
You can check to make sure your real estate agent’s license is active and up to date right here: Louisiana Real Estate Commission.
Want to get your own Louisiana Real Estate license? This link provides multiple sources to have your questions answered: LREC
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Pay a Real Estate Agent?
You may be wondering how real estate agents get paid in Louisiana. Real estate agents work on commission or a percentage of the sale. You don’t have to pay them upfront. They earn a portion of the sale of your home. This is a great motivator for your real estate agent to get the most money from the sale of your home because their pay is directly affected by the amount it sells for. You may think real estate agents are expensive, but they are worth every penny. They usually garner enough extra funds from the sale of your home that the increase completely covers their fee. There are tons of benefits to hiring a real estate agent or realtor to sell your home in Louisiana.
Do Buyer’s Pay Real Estate Agents?
Here’s a fun fact: buyers don’t pay real agents and basically get their services for free. This works because the real estate agent fee comes from the sale of the home and your buyer’s agent will split the commission with the listing real estate agent. A buyer doesn’t pay anything and can utilize the services of a real estate agent to get the best home for them without having to pay a commission or upfront fees. It’s a great reason to always call a real estate agent when buying a home.
Why Shouldn’t I Just Call the Listing Agent?
The listing agent represents the seller and will try to get the highest price possibly for their clients. You should call your own real estate agent to work out the best deal possibly for you. You don’t have to pay for this service, but your agent will get a commission split from the sale of the home by representing you. It’s just like hiring a lawyer in Louisiana, you want to have your own to represent your interests.