Choosing An Agent
Choosing the right Realtor is the most important step to ensuring your transaction will be smooth and successful.
Many people find an Agent via a family member or friend. Unfortunately, you won’t often find the best agent for you this way. Not having the right Agent can cost you precious time and money. Always ask the potential Agent for a list of references. If they can’t or won’t provide any you are interviewing the wrong Agent. Successful Agents like those at Realstar have proven themselves as experts over and over again.
What should I look for in an Agent?
Experience: As with other professions, the experience of your Realtor is paramount. This will have a direct impact on your stress level, and your ultimate sales price. If you are selling this could mean a higher price. If you are buying this could mean not overpaying.
Market Knowledge: An Agent needs to understand and adapt to complex market changes. There has also been dramatic agency, disclosure, license law, appraisal and loan underwriting changes. Buyers and Sellers need a skilled, knowledgeable agent, not a newbie but not a fossil either.
Commitment and Focus: Top Producing Agents such as those at Realstar are professionals whose livelihood depends on their ability to successfully and continually close real estate transactions.
Attitude: Does your Agent have your best interest in mind, or theirs? Do they share information in a straightforward and honest manner or do they just want a deal? A home sale or purchase is too important to leave to an Agent that does not have their priorities straight.
Know who you are hiring: Is the office a support mechanism or is it the mechanism? Some companies have ‘listing and buying agents’ working in the field. Once listed or once you buy something you are handed off to a back office person while the original agent goes to the next client. You get handed off again and again. Most often the back office people are not licensed and have dozens of buyers and sellers they are babysitting – and you may never again hear from the agent you actually hired. If there is trouble with the sale you are left hanging. We know – we hear those stories all the time. While Realstar has incredible back office support its there to assist your agent not replace your agent. You hire a licensed agent at Realstar and that’s exactly who you get – all the way to closing.
Make sure an Agent can back up any statements. You have a great deal riding on their ability to sell your home!
- How long have you been selling Real Estate? Avoid anyone with less than 3 years of experience. You have too much riding on their experience.
- How many homes do you sell in a year? “Just a couple” probably means Real Estate is a hobby and not a job.
- Have they owned a home? If not, how would they explain features and functions to a buyer?
- Does your marketing promote homes or you (the Realtor)? Look it up before you commit
- How will you provide me with feedback? If it is not ‘automated’ via a service don’t expect too much effort from this Agent.
- Is commission fee structure worth it? We all use the same MLS, relocation companies, social media etc.
- The Internet has lowered overall Realtor marketing costs over 50% from just a few years ago. How are you passing that 50% savings along to the Seller?
- Will you negotiate your commission? Be Careful: if they can’t negotiate now, what skills will they use to negotiate for you when you need them too?
- Finally, are they working for an established company or out of their bedroom at home? A one person shop has no backup.
- What is your average market time?
- What is your market plan? Do they just list and forget or actively push your listing out to buyers. Click Here to see Realstar’s Market Plan
- How do you track online interest?
- How often will I hear from you about showing feedback?
- How often will I get market updates?
- Who covers for you when you are not available to answer a question?
- How will they get paid?
- How successful have they been getting the seller to offset that cost?
- Do they have access to pre-market homes? Realstar actively “farms” various neighborhood and often knows what homes are coming to market before any other agent does.
- Who covers for you when you are not available to show?
Realstar Agents are licensed professionals with the knowledge and experience to make your purchase ro sale smooth and stress free. We will always put your needs, wants and wishes first.