Finding the right real estate agent in Richmond, CA is no easy task. From park benches to social media to even shopping carts, it seems like real estate agents are advertising all over the place. You also have friends or family members who are connected to real estate agents and want to give you recommendations (but that doesn’t always mean they’re the best agent for you!). So finding an agent isn’t the hard part. Finding a great one is. Here is your real estate selection guide to finding a reputable real estate agent in Richmond, CA.
Check out Zillow
While Zillow may receive a lot of criticism for its less than accurate home valuations, it does do a nice job of helping you do your research when it comes to real estate agents in Richmond, CA. First, visit Zillow.com, then look for the Agent Finder tab at the top of the page. Click on that tab and then type in “Richmond, CA” in the first box that says “Location.” Press “Enter” and a list of Richmond agents will appear. However, there are a few things that you should look for to narrow down your search for real estate agents in Richmond, CA.
How many reviews do they have? Low reviews may mean that they don’t have an active business.
Check the quality of the reviews.
You want more than just, “Bob was a really nice guy to work with.” Did the real estate agent return calls back in a timely manner? Were they knowledgeable of the local area and current market? Did they educate the client or was the client left to figure out the home buying or selling process on their own? If an obstacle came up, was the agent knowledgeable and experienced enough to find solutions to the problem to allow the deal to go through? Did they have the professional partnerships with lenders, stagers, movers, contractors, landscapers, and more to fully serve their clients?
Check the dates of the reviews.
When was the last review posted? A great review from 2018 is nice, but COVID has definitely changed the market over the past several years. The market then is certainly not the market now. Has that real estate agent had recent transactions that show they know how to navigate the current conditions?
How many transactions did they close in the past 12 months? When you click on an agent’s name, you’ll see how many reviews they have and how many transactions they closed over the past year.
Where did those transactions take place? If you’ve lived in the Bay Area for any length of time, you know that San Francisco is different from El Cerrito which is different from Concord which is different from Antioch and on and on. At the bottom of the Zillow page, you’ll see the real estate agent’s recent closing dates, the addresses, and the amount that they sold for. Does this agent have the experience and knowledge to sell your home or find you a new home based on recent transactions?
Third Party Certifications
Did you know that there are third party websites that certify real estate agents in Richmond, CA? For example, financial expert Dave Ramsey has an ELP (Endorsed Local Provider) resource which allows you to connect with an agent they’ve vetted and knows the Ramsey strategies to get – and stay – out of debt. Or Homelight is a one stop shop if you want to buy, sell, and finance your home. They even have unique options to buy your home for cash and more. A certified HomeLight agent understands these options and can share more ways to maximize your home buying or selling power as the market ebbs and flows.
Google and Google Screened – I admit that when I need information, the first place I look is Google. But did you also know about Google Screened? Those are the first three agents you’ll see on the top of the screen when you type in “real estate agents in Richmond, CA.” These agents have been verified by Google that they are licensed agents and are credible. However, these real estate agents also pay to be Google Screened businesses so take that into consideration. If you scroll down, you’ll also see a few businesses listed and a map of where their offices are located. This is also a good place to read reviews and to see how close the agent is located near where you want to live. Again, they may have better knowledge of the area than your aunt who’s an agent but lives an hour away.
Online Can’t Replace In Person Meetings
After you’ve done the above homework, call your top 5 real estate agents on your list. Do they call you back right away? Do they schedule a time that works for you? Do they treat you with respect and kindness?
Next, create a list of questions at your interview to narrow down your list.
Where do they live?
What’s the market like where you live and where you want to live?
How many transactions have they had in the past year?
What expectations do they set as you jump into the market?
Do they have professional partnerships with lenders, home inspectors, insurance brokers, title companies, etc. to ensure you have a smooth transaction process?
Do they give you real feedback about your wants and needs lists? Do they tell you what you need to hear or are they just trying to get a new client?
How quickly do they get back to you after the meeting? Do they return your calls or are you ghosted?
How well do they convey the home buying and selling journey to you? Do they explain each step of the process or rush you through the meeting?
Choose the Rick Fuller Team! Our knowledgeable and experienced real estate agents in Richmond, CA know the area and the local market. We also partner with all of the professionals we mentioned above to give you an experience that you’d be excited to tell a friend about. We’re here to serve you! Call us today at (888) 950-RICK.
