Choosing A Realtor(r) - 10 Tips
Imagine that you pull out the yellow pages, thumb through the categories and then dial whatever number your finger lands on
. Congratulations, you just choose a brain surgeon. That may not make a lot of sense, but that is what many people do when choosing a Realtor. It is important to select the best Realtor for your needs, whether it is buying or selling, and there is a difference. Here are 10 tips and questions to ask when you are qualifying your Realtor.
Buying
Asking for a recommendation from a friend is not always a bad thing although their situation might be much different than yours. Here is an example of why it is important to distinguish situations. If the Realtor your friend suggested helped them get out of a foreclosure, they might specialize in foreclosures and short sales, pricing houses to sell quickly. But if you are looking to get the most money for your house, this might not be the road to take.
1. Look for an agent that works with homes in your target price range. This will ensure that he or she will give you the most amount of time. The agent will be more knowledgeable about the houses and areas that will be best suited to your needs.
2. Ask questions of your agent, like how long they have worked in the area, if they have received any designations or awards and if you still don't feel right, ask to see if they have any written thank you notes. Someone must have been extremely pleased if they took the time to write a thank you note.
3. Look the agent in the eyes and ask if they are willing to budge on their fees. If they are, ditch them quick. Although that may sound contrary to what you learned in school, if they can't stand up to you, chances are they will not have the negotiating power you want on your side when it comes down to the last $10,000 reduction and closing costs.
4. Choose an agent that will offer additional services, such as helping to set up the inspection and conducting a study of the property values.
5. Instinct is a great thing. Don't choose the first agent you meet, shop around and see what other agencies have to offer. Then if your gut is still telling you to go back, there is probably a good reason.
Selling
Selling a house has to be one of the largest transactions that many people will make in their lifetime. Finding a Realtor who can meet all of your needs when it comes to selling your house is almost more important than oxygen. There are many reasons why you would want to sell your current house. Upgrade, downgrade, whatever the case may be, being honest with your agent can go a long way.
1. Same as the buying side of the house, be sure to ask your agent a few questions. How many homes did they help their clients to buy and sell? How many days did the average home spend on the market? How many sales have they closed in the last three months? Do they sell in your area or all over? All of these are great questions to ask.
2. Look for an agent who has worked with similar situations, short sales are much different than the usual contract.
3. Check the agent's website and marketing material. Remember, it is your house they will be marketing, so if you constantly see something that turns you away from their marketing, chances are it is turning others away too. You can even ask them about their marketing strategies.
4. Ask the broker if your agent has won any awards or has been receiving any outstanding recognition in the last few months and if so, what for. This will help you to gage how active they are for their clients.
5. Look for "Sold." Any agent who is actually selling houses in this market should be taken note of, after all, that is your goal and they are in the zone.
No matter whether you are buying or selling your home, having a professional and hard working agent is like pulling in the star quarterback for that last big play. It helps to verify that your agent is a Realtor and associated with the National Association of Realtors. This means that they have taken an oath to provide you with the best service and are held up to that extremely strict code by the association and their colleagues. It's just like an extra insurance that will help you with a successful home purchase or sale.
by: Volker Weiss
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