Did you know that 45% of all homes in San Diego sell for more than their listing price?

As one of California's most in-demand housing markets, it's no surprise that competition is so fierce that it's pushing prices up! But if you're looking for a home, that can be a scary thought. Fortunately, a good team of San Diego real estate agents will be able to help.

They're your best bet for securing a house you love at a reasonable price or for selling your home quickly, no matter the market. To help you find the right realtor, we've put together our top tips.

Read on to find out more!

How San Diego Real Estate Agents Can Help You

Real estate agents are essential from both perspectives of a home sale: the buyer and the seller. Their in-depth market knowledge and experience selling properties will be an asset to your house hunting or house selling, making the process easier and quicker.

For sellers, a realtor can aid in:

• Throwing open houses
• Listing your home on property websites
• Matching your home with someone from their client lists
• Showing people around your property
• Marketing the best features for a quick sale
• Dealing with offers and potential buyer requests

For buyers, your real estate agent will help you:

• Find properties that match your needs
• Arrange property viewings
• Show you around the home
• Help you put forward reasonable offers
• Work through the legal process with you to close the sale

No matter your position in the sale, a real estate agent is essential! Unless you're experienced in dealing with property negotiations and legal matters, it's vital you have one on your side.

Now, let's get into our top tips to help you find the best San Diego realtor.

Don't Settle For the First Realtor

Unless you find an incredible realtor on the first go who you really believe can't be beaten, it's best to shop around before you make your decision. Going for the first real estate agent that you come across is rarely a good idea! You need to do plenty of research into what's available so that you can compare your options.

By talking to more than one realtor, you can get a better idea of average prices, how different agents can help you, and who you'd prefer to work with. Just as you wouldn't settle for the first person who asked you on a date, don't settle for the first realtor you find without being certain first!

How to Find Plenty of Good Realtors

When searching for multiple realtors who you can compare, you need to cast a wide net. We recommend first asking your friends and family who they've used before and why they'd recommend them. Take note of any that sound like they could be a good fit.

You can also put a call out on local social media pages asking for recommendations. Just be aware with this that friends or family of realtors - who are definitely biased - could recommend them with little knowledge of their professional experience. Be sure to thoroughly vet every referral before you make a choice.

The good old-fashioned search engine is a great source of realtors, too! You can refine your search as much as you'd like, searching for realtors in downtown San Diego or family home realtors, for example. Check out plenty of websites and make a list of all those you like the look and sound of.

Are They Experienced?

Once you have a list of potential realtors, it's time to start whittling them down. First, take a look at their experience. They may have case studies on their site or active listings you can view, telling you more about the areas, price points, and property styles the estate agent is used to working with.

For some people, they won't be too fussy about the experience. As long as the estate agent has done the work before and done it well, nothing else matters! For others, you might want a realtor who has the specific experience that relates to your case, such as selling period homes or larger estates.

Consider which is your preference before narrowing down your options.

Always Read Reviews First

One of the best ways to judge whether a realtor is for you is by reading online reviews.

The estate agent will probably have testimonials on their own website, but remember that these will be carefully selected. They have control over what you see on their site, and they'd never put up a bad review! That's why it's important to look elsewhere.

A quick Google search of the realtor should bring up plenty of reviews, and they may have some on their social media, too. Read through these looking for red flags, such as many reviews that mention the realtor turned up late or canceled meetings/viewings. If you see too many negatives, strike the realtor from your list and move on to the next one.

Reviews are also brilliant for learning more about how the estate agent deals with properties/demands like yours. If someone else has sold or found a beautiful period property in San Diego with them, and that's what you're looking for too, it's a good sign!

Have They Made Sales in Your Desired Area?

If you're looking for or are selling in a specific neighborhood in San Diego, it's wise to check if the realtor has made any sales there or has current listings in the area. This isn't a make-or-break, but it can help you narrow down a list of great realtors. If they're working in your neighborhood, they'll have better knowledge of the area and should have more clients living locally.

San Diego is a huge city! It's rare that a real estate agent will have worked in and be familiar with every corner. Having one that's worked in your area can be a real asset.

Get in Touch With the Realtor

When you think you've found the one (or maybe still have a couple of options), it's time to get in touch! Send an email to the realtor and ask for a phone call. This is a great way to see how quickly they respond.

Keep an eye on what time they respond or are available, too. Many people do real estate as a side hustle, which isn't what you want. If they work and reply between 9-5, it's a good sign.

When you have a phone call with them, be sure to ask them some questions to learn more about their work and gauge their professionalism. Common things to ask include:

• Have you found/sold the type of property I'm looking for before?
• How many hours of your day can you devote to my sale/property hunt?
• How many years have you been a realtor?

It's good to have a rapport with your realtor, which you'll be able to start to build on the phone. If you're just not clicking and you don't get a good vibe from them, it's time to move on to someone else.

Meet With the Estate Agent at Your Home

Once a realtor has passed all of your checks, it's time to meet in person. If you're selling your home, it's smart to meet at the property so you can show them around and they can work out whether it's a home they can sell. If you're looking for a property, this isn't essential.

Ask them more about their experience, how they can help you, and go into details of what you're hoping from them. Be upfront about your demands so that your realtor knows exactly what they need to offer.

Check that they've come prepared, too. If they're empty-handed, it's not a brilliant sign. If they've come with some examples of past listings and a net sheet, you can be more certain that they know what they're doing.

Remember, this is the real estate agent's chance to wow you, so let them! Not putting in the effort to build a relationship or win you over is a red flag. They should be working hard now, and if they're not, it's time to find someone else who will.

Skip the Search and Join Our Team

The process of finding the perfect team of San Diego real estate agents isn't always an easy one. If you want to push the process forward and get on with selling/buying a home, we can help. At Steele San Diego Real Estate, we have a team of professional and experienced realtors on hand and ready to work with you.

To learn more, get in touch with our trusted agents today, and let's start your property journey now!