If You’re Gonna Buy a Downtown Condo - Get a Downtown Agent
This weekend, I attended my first open house for a condo in one of KC’s downtown areas. While I’m decently familiar with KC’s downtown, the Crossroads, Plaza, Westport, even having lived in the Rivermarket, I realized not only am I currently out of my league, especially what goes into a great agent for condos but all the extra things your agent should be on top of for buying in that area.
When interviewing your realtor, see how they respond to the below three points. If they seem to be blundering through them or can’t speak intelligently – keep looking.
If you’re one of my friends, you can guarantee I’ll be referring you to one of my two favorite agents in the office known and obsessed with this area of expertise. If you’re realtor is one of your friends – I fully support that – but make sure they 100% know what they’re doing, or has a team lead that’s a superstar as mentioned below to keep them in the clear.
1. They attend local HOA Meetings – or request notes from tenants if unable to attend. The woman I worked with goes to HOA Meetings every week to listen into what HOA fees will look like, what updates they’re looking to make, and how that will fall back on the owners. She knows every building in her specific reach and their five-year plans. This allows her to make sure she doesn’t let her client get swindled with costs not listed directly on the property but planning to be included in the short term.
2. They have clients in every building. Do you want something more open, more rooms, outdoor spaces or ease for your larger pup? They have connections to each building and know the layouts by heart. Describe what you’re looking for and they can hook you up with a walkthrough of your dream space and maybe a pocket listing in the meantime.
3. They love just looking around. They shouldn’t be pressuring you into buying or selling. That’s not the role of the agent. They should be helping show you what’s available and identifying properties that can help fit your needs and wants. After you’re happy, that’s when they should be jumping in with their negotiation and organization skills to get the deal closed.
Now if you’re in KC and want any of the top downtown areas – I know two wonderful agents – who know everything and everyone in the Condo Game.
I might listen in to learn a little more from what they’re sharing, but I can’t say it’s my cup of tea. Investment single family homes on the other hand – count me in ;)