When Should You Call a Real Estate Agent? Earlier Than You Think

Most people assume they should contact a real estate agent once they've decided to buy or sell. In reality, some of the most useful conversations happen much earlier.

Questions that come before a transaction

Recently, I've been asked:

• How do I help my parents compare in-home care with assisted living?
• Could a proposed oil and gas development affect property values nearby?
• How do we navigate a real estate decision during a divorce?

Then there are the more familiar homeowner questions:

• Who should I call when the AC quits working?
• How much could a sewer line repair cost?
• Who gives reliable electrical estimates?
• Is this repair urgent, or can it wait?

The questions are different, but they usually have one thing in common: someone's trying to make a good decision and isn't sure where to begin.

A good first conversation helps

Sometimes I know the answer. Sometimes I know the right professional to call. Sometimes the situation needs more research before anyone should pretend to have a solid answer. And sometimes the best next step is simply organizing the options so the decision feels less overwhelming.

The network I've built

Over the years, I've built relationships with lenders, inspectors, contractors, attorneys, financial professionals, senior-living and move specialists, and real estate agents across the country. That network can be useful long before someone's ready to move.

Start with me

So when a home or real estate question comes up and you're not sure who handles it, you don't have to figure it out alone. Start with me, and I'll help you identify the right next step.