FINDING A REALTOR
You will want a close ally to help steer you toward homes you’ll love and help you through the emotionally and financially taxing process. A good real estate agent can make a world of difference.
TIPS FOR FINDING THE BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT
The best agent for you is an experienced professional who will listen to you, ethically conduct themself and knows your market.
REALTORS® and Real Estate Agents
All Realtors® are licensed to sell real estate as an agent, or a broker but not all real estate agents are Realtors®. Only Realtors® can display the Realtor® logo. Realtors® belong to the National Association of Realtors and pledge to follow the Code of Ethics, a comprehensive list containing 17 articles and underlying standards of practice, which establish levels of conduct that are higher than ordinary business practices or those required by law. Less than half of all licensees are Realtors®.
Conduct a preliminary search online
Find a Realtor search, which will give you useful info such as the Realtor’s number of years of job experience, number of homes sold, and the price of homes typically dealt with. Take note of a Realtor’s track record, because this can tip you off to superstar agents nearby and whether they’re a fit for your needs.
Referrals
Most real estate agents stay in business because satisfied clients refer them to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. Ask the people around you who they have used and ask them to describe their experiences with this real estate agent. Successful agents make customer satisfaction their number one priority and put their customers’ needs before their own.
Attend Open Houses
By going to open houses, you can meet real estate agents in a non-threatening working environment and interact with them. Collect business cards and make notes on them. If you’re thinking about selling your home, pay attention to how the agent is showing the home.
Track Neighborhood Signs
Pay attention to the listing signs in your neighborhood. Make a note of the day they go up and when the sign disappears. Don’t wait for a sold sign because not all agents will post a sold sign. The agent who sells listings the fastest might be better for you than the agent with the largest number of “for sale” signs. Results speak volumes.
Recommendations from Professionals
Mortgage brokers are a resource for agent referrals as many brokers have first-hand knowledge of exceptional agents. Professionals tend to refer other professionals like themselves.
Ask questions
- How long have you been in real estate?
- How long have you lived in this area?
- Do you have a team, or do you work alone?
- What is your schedule?
- Do you have any vacations planned?
