Find a REALTOR^®

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make in their lifetime. Having an experienced real estate agent in your corner during the home buying process is absolutely critical.

Choosing the right agent is a very personal decision. Obviously, you want someone knowledgeable and experienced, someone with the utmost integrity, someone who will be your advocate, and negotiate like a tiger on your behalf. It is equally important to choose someone you like and respect. After all, you will be working very closely with them; having a rapport (or not) can make that experience pleasant (or painful).

Studies show that 90% of consumers are more likely to trust recommendations from someone they know. The best place to start your search is by asking five or six people you know if they have a REALTOR^® they would highly recommend. Hopefully, you will also add The Dawn Thomas Team to your short list: we welcome the opportunity to tell you more about how we work and what we have to offer.

Once you have a list of recommended agents, do a bit of research online. Read their client reviews. Get a feel for how they work and what other clients have said about them. Give each REALTOR^® a call or send them an email requesting a brief phone conversation. Take note on how quickly they respond. Is it minutes, hours, or maybe days? The real estate business moves quickly and an agent who doesn’t respond right away could mean a lost opportunity for you when it comes to making an offer on a home; that information alone can assist in narrowing down your list.

To give you an idea of how The Dawn Thomas Team works, here is a bit more about us.

Dawn and her Team give each of our buyers the utmost attention. We will offer our expert guidance, be available when you need us as well as be upfront, and honest at all times. In addition, with Dawn’s Certification in Negotiation from Harvard Law School, you can rest assured she will negotiate like a tiger on your behalf to make sure you get the home of your dreams for the best possible price.

We invite you to learn more about Dawn and her Team, a specialized group of client-service focused professionals whose skills contribute to the overall real estate experience for our clients in Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz County. We also encourage you to read our client endorsements to learn more about what it’s like working with The Dawn Thomas Team.

If you do choose Dawn and her Team, they will be your advocates, guiding you through your home purchase as smoothly as possible. Dawn will work tirelessly to minimize the 88 types of turbulence that may occur during the home buying journey.

Before scheduling any in-person meetings, have a brief phone call to find out more about each REALTOR’S^® experience. Determine which agents appear to be well informed about the neighborhoods in which you are looking to buy. These calls will also give you insight into who may be a good fit for you based on personality and rapport. From the information gathered during these phone screenings, ask the agents that you like best to meet in person.

When you sit down with an agent one on one, that is the ideal time to ask more detailed questions. We recommend meeting with each agent in their office to get a better understanding of the environment in which they work. Is it professional? Are the people friendly and welcoming? Is the agent on time for your meeting?

Here is a link to 12 Questions To Ask When Choosing Your REALTOR^®. We also recommend being aware of the Code of Ethics to which all REALTORS^® must adhere.

During your face-to-face appointments, be upfront and honest with each agent about what you want in a home as well as any unique situations, timeframes, or financial situations you may have. All of this information is critical for them to understand your distinct requirements when it comes to purchasing a home. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing these details with an agent or if they pressure you in any way, this is most definitely a red flag. The REALTOR^® you choose should make you feel at ease and make buying a home a simple and enjoyable process.

Dawn works with all of her clients by agreement. Please review a sample copy of a Buyer Representation Agreement used in the State of California.

Once you’ve hired a REALTOR^® or are well into the process, you should also schedule a time to meet with your key financial advisors. Learn more about the importance of this preliminary step when embarking on the home buying process.