Charming Ocala, Florida is known throughout the South as “horse country.” However, this beautiful area isn’t just a paradise for horse lovers. Ocala offers pristine landscapes that intertwine with Florida’s stunning system of freshwater rivers. Hundred-year-old live oaks, palm trees, and friendly faces can be found everywhere in this unique community. If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, the top real estate agents in Ocala will help you find your little slice of paradise. These five steps will make sure you select the perfect partner in your real estate journey. 

Start Online 
The real estate agent you choose to work with will truly be a partner along a several-month journey to find your dream home or to get the best price for your current home. Start your initial research on the area’s real estate agents online before you ever pick up the phone. While the internet should never be your only decision maker, you can get a feel for which agents are active and thriving in the specific area of Ocala that appeals to you. Online reviews, listing volume, and professional awards can all be used to help you put together a starting list of potential agents to consider. 

Find the Real Estate Agent that is Best For You 
When searching for a real estate agent, many people simply seek out the top real estate agents in Ocala, Florida. However, your primary focus should be solely on finding the agent that is best for your highly specific needs and goals. For example, if an agent specializes in selling apartments or typically works with first-time homebuyers, they may not be the best agent for a large family home on several acres. Similarly, many agents specialize in working mostly with people that are looking to list their homes for sale. If you are focused primarily on buying a new home, look for an agent called a “buyer’s agent” that knows the ins and outs of that side of the real estate process. 

Seek Out a Real-Life Referral 
Never underestimate the power of a verbal referral from a real person. You likely already have a few people in your social circles that can give you a word-of-mouth referral. Online reviews are a great first place to look, but an online review can’t give you real-time answers to your important questions. A great real estate agent will be quick to provide you with several past clients whom you can contact to get a reference from. 

Set Your Standards High 
People often feel that once they have an initial meeting with an agent it would be rude to decide to work with someone else. This is absolutely not the case. Think of the process of choosing your perfect agent as an extended interview. You wouldn’t hire someone that wasn’t punctual, prepared and communicative. Likewise, you wouldn’t want to commit to working with a real estate agent that didn’t possess these qualities and feel like a great fit for your needs.

For more information on housing in Ocala and other real estate news, check out 352area, your local guide to North Central Florida!

 

Cover photo courtesy of Unsplash