How To Get Other Agents To Drink Your “Kool-Aid”
Let me take a stab in the dark here… You feel your company is the greatest, and everyone else should join too. Am I right?
Buying a Home This Spring? Hire Your Agent Before the Rush Begins
As spring rolls around, so does tax season. Some people look forward to filing their returns and anticipating a nice refund check. Others cringe, dreading the amount they may owe. Either way, many procrastinate, pushing it off until the last possible minute before scrambling to get everything in order by the April 15th deadline.
On a related note, spring is also one of the busiest times of the year for the real estate market. Many prospective homebuyers decide that now is the time to make a move—but, much like taxes, too many wait until the last second to get serious about it.
In both cases, waiting too long can make things more stressful and limit your options.
Tax preparers get booked solid, making it hard to find someone who can fit you in at the last minute. And even if you manage to get an appointment, you may not get the best service when they’re juggling a long list of last-minute clients.
The same applies to buying a home. If you wait until the market is already in full swing, you may struggle to secure the right real estate agent, miss out on great homes, or find yourself caught in a frenzy of competing buyers. That’s why it’s a good idea to get the ball rolling with your real estate agent before the spring market kicks off.
Let’s take a look at some insights and tips to keep in mind if you’re planning on buying a home this spring…
Hire Help Early on in the Process
Yes, you can file your own taxes. But unless you’re a tax expert, there’s a good chance you’ll miss deductions, make errors, or even increase your risk of an audit. Many people who start out handling their own taxes eventually throw up their hands and seek professional help—sometimes after making costly mistakes.
The same thing happens in real estate. Many buyers start their search on their own, casually browsing listings, attending open houses, and maybe reaching out directly to a listing agent once in a while to get access to a home they want to see. Some buyers even attempt to go through the entire process without professional representation. While it’s certainly possible, it’s not always advisable. Real estate transactions are complex, with negotiations, legal paperwork, and potential pitfalls along the way.
Even those who don’t plan to go it alone often wait too long to involve a real estate agent, thinking they’ll start working with one once they get more serious. The problem is, by the time they’re ready, the market is already heating up, and the best agents are busy juggling multiple clients.
Getting an agent involved early means having an expert to guide you, avoid missteps, and ensure you’re making the most of your time.
Hiring the Best vs. Hiring the Available
When it comes to taxes, there’s a big difference between hiring a seasoned CPA and working with someone who picked up a seasonal tax prep job after a short training course. A professional with years of experience will likely spot deductions, offer strategic advice, and help you get the best possible outcome. But try booking a top CPA in early April, and you’ll likely find they’re unavailable or overwhelmed with clients. You’ll have to settle for whoever is available—and that might not be the best fit for your needs.
Similarly, there’s a wide range of experience levels, skill sets, and availability among agents. A seasoned agent with a track record of success is often in high demand, especially in the spring market. If you wait too long, the best agents will already be booked up with clients, and you may end up working with someone who has more availability but less experience.
Don’t wait until you’re in a time crunch. Start early so you can interview agents, find the right fit, and hire an agent who will prioritize your needs.
Steps to Take Now to Be Prepared
You wouldn’t show up at a tax preparer’s office without the necessary documents—W-2s, 1099s, receipts, and other paperwork—expecting them to do your taxes with nothing to go on. Yet, many homebuyers make the mistake of jumping into the market without the essential preparation.
Here’s what you should do before you even start looking at homes:
- Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage: Knowing how much you can afford is critical. A mortgage pre-approval gives you a clear budget and shows sellers you’re a serious buyer. Looking at homes without this step can lead to wasted time, disappointment, and missed opportunities.
- Check Your Credit: Your credit impacts your loan approval and interest rates. While the mortgage lender will review your credit, they aren’t likely to know if there are mistakes on it. Make sure to review your credit report for errors and take steps to have those corrected.
- Avoid Major Purchases: Hold off on big purchases like cars, furniture, or expensive vacations. Large financial moves can affect your debt-to-income ratio and loan eligibility even once you’ve been pre-approved.
- Have a wishlist ready: While you may not get everything you want on your wishlist, you’ll want to be able to give your agent a solid idea on the areas you will consider, and what you’re looking for in a home.
How to Help Your Agent Help You
Once you’ve selected an agent, keep in mind that spring is one of their busiest times. A great agent will always make time for their clients, but the reality is that their schedules fill up quickly with showings, negotiations, inspections, appraisals, and paperwork. Here’s how to make the process smoother for both you and your agent:
- Be Patient and Flexible: Homes may go fast, and your agent might be managing multiple clients at once. Trust that they’re prioritizing effectively and working in your best interest.
- Be Ready to Act Quickly: In a competitive market, hesitation can mean losing out on a home. Have your financing in order and be prepared to make decisions efficiently.
- Communicate Clearly: Keep an open line of communication with your agent. Respond to messages promptly and be upfront about your needs and concerns.
The Takeaway:
Getting your taxes done and buying a home in the spring market share an important lesson: waiting until the last minute can lead to stress, rushed decisions, mistakes, and fewer options when it comes to hiring the best professional to help you.
Just like finding a tax professional early can make the process smoother and more beneficial, securing a skilled real estate agent before the spring market heats up can give you a competitive edge. So don’t wait until the rush is in full swing; reach out to your real estate agent and get the process started as early as possible.
