Buying a Home in Oregon Part 1: Meet your Agent

Part 1: Meet your Agent

I’m breaking down the Oregon Home Buying process into 8 Steps. Buying a home is a big decision, and the best thing you can do is to feel prepared and have a support team you trust.

I’m going to start at the beginning: to buy a home you need to find an agent who can represent you the best possible.

Where do I find an agent?

Many people find their agent through a referral from a trusted friend or family member. Do you know anyone who recently bought or sold a home? Ask them if they had a good experience. Do you have a well connected friend? They probably know at least one great real estate agent. Maybe you know a real estate agent in another city? They can most likely recommend an agent where you are looking to buy or sell.

I would recommend that first before going through a website like Redfin or Zillow.

I’m always happy to play matchmaker for agents around the country, and obviously I’d love to help you if you are looking for a home in Portland.

How to know if an agent will be a good fit?

When someone reaches out to me for help buying a home I like to set up a zoom to say hello, get to know each other, and see if we would be a good fit for a working relationship. When interviewing a potential agent, you can keep a couple things in mind:

-Do you share the same values?

This can mean many things to you, but essentially - do you want to work with this person? You will be in a close relationship during the house hunt, and your agent often becomes your confidant, therapist, and will make a big impact on the decisions you make.

-Do you trust this person to represent you in the best way possible?

Your agent will be working on your behalf during a transaction. Will they ask the right questions, and get you the information you need to make smart decisions? Are they organized, thorough, and professional? Can they guide you through difficult decisions?

-Are they knowledgable in the area you are looking?

You want an agent who knows what they are doing. They should not only know the area, but also have a good working relationship with other agents in their area. They should know what to watch out for in a home, and what can be updated easily. They should be able to advise you if you are making a sound financial decision.

-Will you be their priority?

Many successful agents have a lot on their plates. Does this agent have time for a new client? Do they work as a team, and if so who will your point person be?

How much does an agent cost?

When you hire an agent to sell a home that agent will negotiate a commission fee for both themselves and for the potential buyer’s agent. Typically this is around 5-7% of the sales price of the home, with 2.5% - 4.5% going to the listing agent, and 2.5% going to the buyer’s agent. As a buyer your agent is working for you free of charge, and their payment comes from the sellers’ proceeds when a house is sold.

Stick around for Part 2: Choose your Nest!