When looking to buy or sell a home, you’re first step might be choosing a real estate agent to help you. Once you let yourself be known that you’re interested in working with a REALTOR, the flood gates will open, and you will be bombarded with solicitations. So, how do you choose which agent is the best to work with?
How To Choose A Real Estate Agent When Buying And Selling A Home
Ask For A Referral
Ask friends and family if they can recommend an agent. Most real estate agents’ workload comes from referrals from past clients. Referrals are the reason top producing agents continuously produce. Their past clients are usually impressed with the services they provide and will tell friends, who in turn tell other friends, and their business goes from there.
When asking for a referral, ask why they would refer that particular agent. If the only reason the referrer can give you is because they worked with the agent before, it might be in your best interest to do some more digging.
Google ‘EM!
You can do some more digging by using Google. “Google” an agent before working with them and you should be able to find some sort of information on them. You should look for the agents websites, ripoff reports, and forums such as Trulia Voices where agents answer real estate questions.
If you can’t find much online about an agent, give them a call. Ask them some qualifying questions like how long they have been in the business, are they full time, do they have testimonials, and what separates them from their competition.
How Do They Answer The Question: “How’s The Market?”
Another good idea is to talk to them about market conditions. A good agent will ask you what market you’re in. If they just start saying “the market is great!” they may not be the right agent.
When you ask an agent about the real estate market, they should start asking you questions about what market you’re in. Are you in the condo market? The luxury market? Are you interested in investing? Do you have a family? Are you selling a home? Do you have cash? Do you need financing? After which they should listen.
Do They Listen???
A good agent is a good listener. After discussing what market your in, the REALTOR should be able to send you some homes that match your criteria. If you’re selling, make sure they provide you with some statistics of homes in
your price range; days on market, inventory, and absorption rates.
If the homes they send you don’t match what your looking for, they didn’t listen very well. If they tell you they can do a market analysis without asking you about your home first, they may not be a good fit.
Anytime an agent tells you they can do a market analysis on your home they need to get some information from you first. They should ask questions like, have you made any updates since you bought the home? What did you buy the home for? How much do you owe?
Any agent can tell you a price, but a good agent will give you the amount of time it will take to sell your home based on a price you pick, their marketing strategy to sell the home, and a net sheet that will give you your bottom-line.
Do You Feel Comfortable Working With Them?
A recent study by the National Association of REALTORS showed the most important factor in determining an agent to work with was honesty and trustworthiness. Even if you find a new agent without a lot of experience, if you find them to be honest and trustworthy, you might want to work with them.
Just because an agent’s been working in the business for years, doesn’t mean they will be right for you. A new agent may be more driven to earn your business, while an agent with years of experience may have to much on their plate to give you the attention you need.
Do They Answer Their Phone And Emails?
Nothing can be more frustrating then working with an agent that you can’t get a hold of. If the agent can’t answer their phone they should have someone that can help you with your needs. Ask agents you interview if they have a means to work around your schedule.
Many agents work on teams or have an assistant that can help you if they are with other clients. Agents work in teams so their team members can step up to help the agent complete tasks they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to get done. If you have a rigorous schedule an agent that has a team may be best for you.
Last But Not Least: Do They Know There Head From There A**? 
Hiring an agent that doesn’t know what their doing will probably end up costing you money, lost time, and they could end up getting you sued.
How do you determine if an agent is competent? The same way you determine if a job applicant knows how to do a job. You call references. Talk to people they’ve worked with, it’s that simple.
You can also study their online presence. Does the agent blog or use social media platforms to discuss real estate? Agents that blog online can give you a feel for how they are in real life. If they seem competent online, you should be happy with the services they will provide offline.
Whether you’re buying or selling a home, take your time picking an agent, it can be a huge disaster if you don’t. All real estate agents are not created equal!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Lisa,
Excellent article, I especially like the last tip. It’s surprising how many of those types you find in just about every market.
Also look at first impressions such as appearance and professionalism. Whether you are a seller or buyer you want someone representing who is proud of their profession. Shorts and a tee-shirt simply do not cut it in this business.
Regards
Hi Ray!
Your absolutely right about appearance. It also depends on your clientel. For example, I live in a community with heavy agriculture, and many people I deal with are blue collar farmers. I would be embarassed to show up to a listing appointment with them in a luxurious suit. But I also know I need to be presentable, even though they may have just come from milking some cows!
Great comment!
Great article. You have provided plenty of useful information. I like the point about taking your time before picking an agent and also check references.
{ 1 trackback }