By Kathy Henne

Contributing columnist

Choosing the real estate agent that you’ll work alongside to buy your home is not a decision to take lightly. Your agent should have a deep understanding of your goals, your market and a track record for working diligently on behalf of you, their client.

Credentials, of course, are a plus – but what you can’t see behind the numbers are the intangibles of always going the extra mile and genuinely caring deeply for their clients. You want them to bring their A-game to every transaction and be committed to achieving the best possible outcome for their clients. Your agent should always be proactive – one step ahead, anticipating potential roadblocks and finding creative solutions to overcome them. A great agent will build relationships with their clients and treat them like family, because that leads to the best possible results.

You want a seasoned negotiator on your side. This can save you money. Your agent should negotiate not only price, but the terms and conditions that best serve your interests. They should help you see the full picture, including aspects like future resale value and necessary repairs.

If you don’t have a trusted agent, you’ll need to make sense of all the legal aspects of buying or selling a home, become a financial expert, coordinate inspections and appraisals without knowing the best people, write your offer to outshine all the other offers or as a seller, evaluate all the details of each offer beyond just the price and negotiate the offer. Studies show that properties that are sold without an experienced agent, sell for about 26% less than properties listed with a competent agent.

Hire a great agent to watch over and protect you.

Contact the Kathy Henne Team Re/MAX by calling 937-778-3961