Relocating? Choose a real estate agent who can read your signs

When you are relocating to another city and/or state, the stress factor kicks up a few notches. It is important to work with a real estate agent who has worked with out-of-town real estate buyers and understands their needs.

Sometimes these needs are expressed up front and are clearly defined. Sometimes the needs of a relocating buyer are found through careful observation. Lynne Eliopoulos, a Connect2Agent member who services the Metro West area of Boston, shares her story of finding a house for an out-of-town buyer by listening and reading between the lines.

"When recently working with a buyer who is relocating to Massachusetts, I paid attention to the buyers' criteria and interest in several particular areas. Since I happened to live very close to the towns the buyers were interested in, I felt very comfortable guiding them through the process. 

"When they had honed in on a town and a few homes they felt fit their needs, I noticed a property that had come on the market in a town they had not included in their search. Because I felt strongly that this home was something they should see, just before they actually made their final choice I took them to an open house (good timing--it was a Sunday!). Ultimately they put in an offer on this property, which they had not even chosen to look at, and were thrilled that I had taken them to see it without their asking. 

"The point of the story is how important it is to listen to what someone is telling you but also to 'read between the lines,' especially when the client may not be one hundred percent familiar with the area. These buyers are closing this month and they are so excited to move into their new home. It's their first home so this is especially thrilling for them."

Choosing a trusted professional is the key to a good relocation

It was because Eliopoulos gathered enough information about the real estate buyers' needs that she was able to find the house of their dreams. Sometimes you can end up dealing with a sales professional who believes they have the best interest of the client at heart, but ends up pushing houses that do not meet their wants and desires. This can result in buyer's remorse and leave a bad taste in a real estate buyer's mouth.

If you are considering a relocation, the number one thing you need to do is find a trusted professional to help you navigate the inventory in your new area. Interview more than one real estate agent and choose the one who not only has the best expertise and knowledge, but is genuinely interested in your real estate needs and takes time during the interview to ask you questions about what you are looking for. 

Choosing the right real estate agent can mean the difference between buying a house and buying your next home.

If you enjoyed this post, you might want to read:

• Real estate buyers want to swim downstream
• The case of a double-dipped referral fee
• Get an area tour from a local real estate professional

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Posted by Rebecca D. Levinson