There are many services where you want to make sure that you know something about the person you'll be working with before you officially hire them. And one of the most important is when you're in the market for a real estate agent. Whether it's a Banff condo or Vancouver home, buying a home is a very personal process. It's integral that you find someone that you get along with and will be helpful to you throughout the process. Customer reviews and personal references are one of the best ways to decide which agent is right for you. Here is a short guide to where to get them and what sort of questions you should be asking.

First, many agents have testimonials on their websites. These should not be considered customer reviews that can be taken seriously. Of course they are going to say that particular agent is the best in the business when trying to find an townhome or a home in Toronto. An odd website is not the only place online you should be weary of. Any site where you can just post comments on a business without any sort of credentials should be considered suspect. That includes Google reviews or reviews on many general real estate sites.

So, where should you go online for the best advice? Check out the website for the real estate board in your area to make sure there is no negative information on the agent you're considering hiring. If there is someone selling real estate that is considered shady, there should be some documentation on it with these sorts of sites.

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But, the best information you're going to find is straight from the horse's mouth. Ask for references from anyone who has already worked with that agent. Try and find people who were in a similar buying position that you are in. If you're looking for a home on Toronto for example, and currently live in Halifax, find someone who is accustomed to working with people from a different province. If you have special concerns as to the design of your home, try and find a previous buyer who also had unique requests.

If you have any friends or relatives that have bought a home in the area you're interested in, they are of course your best source. That's because they know you as well as what it's like to work with that agent. But, don't let these reviews make your whole decision for you. You still want to make sure your chosen agent is someone you can see yourself working with first. That is the most important thing that's going to make your search for Yorkville real estate go smoothly for instance.

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