| Real Estate & Property Management Services

The right real estate agent in Springfield, Virginia for you is not necessarily the one related to you, and does not have be the friend of a friend. The ideal real estate professional is more concerned with your needs than the licensed real estate adviser's needs, and has the flexibility to work on your schedule.

There are potential pitfalls in every transaction. Some home buyers are military. Some shoppers need garage parking. Some home shoppers can can only afford $299,250 while others are willing to pay $330,750 for the same townhouse. Just as property seekers have different needs, real estate pros have different skills and expertise. Here's my counsel for shopping the best choice of real estate agent for you when you're purchasing in Fairfax County:

1. Check out licensed real estate adviser referrals. — I like Angie’s List because I know that Angie’s List voice verifies each review. You can also see if the agent or brokerage has any awards for client satisfaction.
2. Talk to multiple real estate pros — Take a moment to talk to me on the phone. If I can't help you, I can point you toward a Realtor who is more suited to your needs. The real estate agent should have time to speak to you. If you pick the most popular agent in 22153, you might find yourself working with a junior associate affiliated with that Realtor.
3. Your Realtor should never have an irritating personality. — We all have unique personalities, and that's the way it should be. But when working with someone professionally, if helps if their personality “meshes” well with your own. You want a real estate professional that “gets you”.
4. Ask the potential Realtor how they search for homes. — When picking a Realtor, ask how they find homes. Some Realtors have their own preferred listings that they favor. But you want what’s best for you, not what’s best for your real estate professional. So make sure the Realtor is willing to search high and low to find the best choice of townhouse for you. That includes using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well as their own personal network.
5. Learn more about the representation agreement presented to you. — The Commonwealth of Virginia requires all licensed agents to sign a representation agreement before showing properties or having material discussions about a specific place of residence. Be very wary of any agent that is not concerned about getting a representation agreement signed. It doesn't hurt to have a legal adviser take a look at your representation agreement, but usually that's not necessary. The document is pretty straight forward. It's critical that you examine all documents during the home buying process, and that includes your agent's representation agreement.