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Answers (25)
- Shiloh Watts, "shiloh watts"
- Contributions:3
I think its always a good idea to start with recomendations from friends and family,but shop around too. Make sure the agent will have your best intrest in mind somtimes, that may mean giving you the cold hard truth about the value of your home.
- Kathleen Galano, "Kathleen Galano"
- Contributions:30
Best is from a reccomendation from a friend who had a good experience w/their Realtor!
- Eugenia (Jean) Bonilla,ABR,SRES,ASP, "Burlington Co. Agent"
- Contributions:31
Review agent qualifications,their designations and call them and see if you like what they have to say. Schedule for them to see your home. That's where it gets tough. A real pro will be able to give you some staging suggestions on how to show your home in the best light, and an honest estimate of value. Don't be swayed by some that overvalue your home to "buy the listing". Ask the agent for their list to sale ratio. Also review their marketing plan.
- SoCal_Engr
- Contributions:5670
The first step in looking for a REA is to educate yourself on the RE market and processes. It doesn't need to be a super-in-depth education, but enough so that you have an idea of how RE transactions work, how the mortgage process works and what the various products are, and how a house payment will integrate into your financial plan.
Why?
"Trust, honesty & integrity are important qualities to look for when choosing an agent."
I agree with this statement. But, how do you calibrate your detector for trust/honesty/integrity? By being informed enough to give yourself a chance to detect BS when you walk into it.
Why?
"Trust, honesty & integrity are important qualities to look for when choosing an agent."
I agree with this statement. But, how do you calibrate your detector for trust/honesty/integrity? By being informed enough to give yourself a chance to detect BS when you walk into it.
- Joan & Paul Robinson, CRS, GRI, "Southampton Brokers"
- Contributions:243
Trust, honesty & integrity are important qualities to look for when choosing an agent.
We agree with Joan Braunschweiger's comment that the number of listings an agent has is not a measure of ability. Just look at the number of overpriced listings on the market now -- some of which have been around for years! If a listing agent is effective, he/she will position a house to sell, and it will, thus ultimately reducing the number of active listings remaining.
We agree with Joan Braunschweiger's comment that the number of listings an agent has is not a measure of ability. Just look at the number of overpriced listings on the market now -- some of which have been around for years! If a listing agent is effective, he/she will position a house to sell, and it will, thus ultimately reducing the number of active listings remaining.
- sunnyview
- Contributions:25139
I have met some great new agents that I would hire in heartbeat and have met some withered old shells with licenses and a pile of listings that I couldn't wait to walk away from.
People should judge agents based on their honestly, willingness to help, their professionalism and how well they fit what that client is looking for. There are great new agents and great experienced agents. A client simply needs to focus on finding a great agent and other things will fall into line.
People should judge agents based on their honestly, willingness to help, their professionalism and how well they fit what that client is looking for. There are great new agents and great experienced agents. A client simply needs to focus on finding a great agent and other things will fall into line.
- Joan Braunschweiger, "Morris County NJ"
- Contributions:1543
I just feel compelled to say to the Landman's that I find your post a bit disrespectful to newbies. I haven't been in the business that long ( a year and a half) but I studied real estate for a long time and have one of the best brokers in the business. I have the time and enthusiasm combined with my broker's expertise which makes a great combination.
People who have at least 10 listings doesn't prove anything about their ability, only their lack of time and inability to devote as much time to each customer as may be required.
Remember, we all had to start somewhere.
Thank you, I feel better now.
People who have at least 10 listings doesn't prove anything about their ability, only their lack of time and inability to devote as much time to each customer as may be required.
Remember, we all had to start somewhere.
Thank you, I feel better now.
- Key Associates, "goLakeCumberland.com"
- Contributions:304
Well part of this question depends on if you are looking for a buyer's agent or a listing agent. Most of the time an agent either excels at one or the other. To find a good buyer's agent, first start with someone that advertises that they are a buyer's agent. Secondly you can interview them on the phone and get a pretty good idea if they are knowledgeable of the geographical area, neighborhoods, schools, & community activities, and if they are knowledgeable of the home buying process. Tell them what you prefer with distinct parameters and see if this is what they help you find. You can determine soon enough if they LISTEN to what you want and if they are working for YOU or if they have their own agenda. A good listing agent is someone who pops up at the top of almost every real estate site when you are searching a particular geographical area. Check out if they spend extra to be a showcase agent. See if they take the extra time to take good pictures, write good ads, and actually make sure their listings are well represented. Then when you interview them, you can get a good idea of their marketing knowledge and their knowledge of the current real estate market as far as prices are concerned. I hope this helps...
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4700
I can almost always find several realtors just sitting around hoping for a client during the open hours of just about every real estate agency office in the country. Finding a real estate agent is easy. Knowing if they are good for you is much harder. One big clue is if they say buy now because (low interest rates, low prices, you will be priced out of the market, anything designed to push you to buy NOW) find a different agent. They only want to make a commission now.
- Travis Waller, "TravisWallerCRS"
- Contributions:90
Get a recommendation from a trustworthy source.
- David & Maria-Nella Landman, "PrimeOne Realty"
- Contributions:101
You can start by checkin let say zillow for realtors in your area, see how many listings they have and from there you can choose one that has at least 10 listings ( proven success) to start interviewing at least 2. Do not call the office and get "transfered" to a realtor by the office or office manager since that realtor will probablly be a newbe that is asking for help form his employing broker to get a client and you will be his first guinea pig.
- Connie Wildasinn, "Connie Wildasin"
- Contributions:1178
you can always start by asking friends, talk to a few, find one you connect with that is honest and straight with you and does enough business that they don't push you into a deal to make their mortgage... get a Full time realtor...good luck, if you need a referral be glad to help you out..
- Jared Canty, "Jaredcan"
- Contributions:69
ask your freaind to start, afterwords due your own due diligents into the history of the agent. It is also common practice to interview agents.
- 1adkrealty
- Contributions:26
Referrals speak volumes. Also you can request the Agent's MLS Sales Volume. Suggest you interview at least 3 agents/companies and choose the best match. Choosing a Buyers Agent or Seller's agent instead of A Dual/Designated Agent offers you loyalty & a fiduciary. Brokers decide on Advertising, usually not the Sales agent. Learn as much as you can! Paying the Highest commission doesn't necessarily mean you'll get the best results. Don't sign agreements until you know how to cancel.
- Jim Basquette CRS, CNE, "Jim Basquette"
- Contributions:1231
If you would like to know how to find a good listing Realtor, click on my profile, go to my website and find the article on the sellers tab called "How Sellers Should find a Realtor". This will explain what to look for.
If you don't have a recommendation from someone you trust, just look at listings in your area, see the quality of the photos, the placement of the ad, the descriptions. You will see what agents are doing rather then hear about it from them.
Interview a few of the best ones.
If you don't have a recommendation from someone you trust, just look at listings in your area, see the quality of the photos, the placement of the ad, the descriptions. You will see what agents are doing rather then hear about it from them.
Interview a few of the best ones.
- Kelly Flynn, "Kelly Flynn"
- Contributions:29
When interviewing for an agent find out what kind of marketing plan they offer and what they focus the majority of their marketing efforts on (print ads, internet, mailings, etc). Remember the majority of buyers, over 90% according to the National Association of Realtors, find their listings online. What kind of presence will your home have online? Do they take their own pictures? Most agents do...ask for a sample of their 3 most recent listings to see what kind of pictures they take. How many pictures do they have available for buyers to view? Great pictures get showings, and the more the better! Do they offer virtual tours of the property? Curb-side information via text to a potential buyers smartphone? As the seller you decide the price, but what kind of information are they providing about current market conditions in your area? Are their views on price realistic or are they promising you the sky? After a showing of your property how will they communicate feedback? How often do they keep in contact with you and how (email, phone call, marketing report, etc)? Do they have any suggestions for the property (staging, repair, de-clutter, etc.)? Go online and checkout their website, current listings, blog, etc. See first hand how they market their listings...do your homework.
Also, pay attention to the questions they are asking you. They should be interviewing you as well in a sense to find out what's most important to you. By doing so they will be able to evaluate the situation better and tweak their marketing plan accordingly.
There are many wonderful and professional Realtors in the industry with a high level of integrity. Find one. Find a Realtor that takes this job seriously. Don't just find the person that is filled with promises (fast sale with low commissions, the pricing advice that you want to hear rather than the truth, etc.) Ask your friends, family, and co-workers if they would recommend anyone. As cliche' as it sounds, remember to pay attention to your gut. My belief is that your gut will tell you a good deal about a person and sometimes a successful transaction is due in part to the ability to feel comfortable talking to the person who is guiding you through the details of this important process.
Also, pay attention to the questions they are asking you. They should be interviewing you as well in a sense to find out what's most important to you. By doing so they will be able to evaluate the situation better and tweak their marketing plan accordingly.
There are many wonderful and professional Realtors in the industry with a high level of integrity. Find one. Find a Realtor that takes this job seriously. Don't just find the person that is filled with promises (fast sale with low commissions, the pricing advice that you want to hear rather than the truth, etc.) Ask your friends, family, and co-workers if they would recommend anyone. As cliche' as it sounds, remember to pay attention to your gut. My belief is that your gut will tell you a good deal about a person and sometimes a successful transaction is due in part to the ability to feel comfortable talking to the person who is guiding you through the details of this important process.
- James Berman, "TheNJRealtorGuy"
- Contributions:198
I am always impressed by someone calling asking to speak the manager and asking to be connected to the best agent in the office. If you do call a few offices you will get few Realtors to interview that were recommended by their boss for you.
- Sergio Hernandez, "Sergio Hernandez"
- Contributions:619
The best way is to get recommendations from someone you trust.
- Alan Shafran, "Alan Shafran"
- Contributions:2337
I encourage people to find 2-3 agents in the area and interview them. Its good to get referrals from people who have recently purchased or sold as well. Get testimonials from their past clients and call them- find out how their experience went for them. It's a big financial decision so it's best to be informed and feel comfortable the agent you hire will do the best job for you and your family.
- Joan & Paul Robinson, CRS, GRI, "Southampton Brokers"
- Contributions:243
Referrals and testimonials are the best.
- David Poulsen, "Sonoma Co Specialist"
- Contributions:66
Why not your research through Zillow, look at answers to advice, look at listings etc. There is a whole lot of info about Realtors right here on Zillow.
- Whit Suber, "Top Broker in SC"
- Contributions:165
Buying or Selling? They can be different. First and foremost, look for an agent most interested in your best interest. A listing agent who's efforts are greater concentrated in selling YOUR property than using your property to lure buyers to work with them. A buyer's agent who's greatest interst is finding what you want at the best price possible.
- Dave Tourjee, "davetourjee"
- Contributions:31
My best advice would be to get a referral from someone you know.
- Marla Lopez, Broker, "Idaho House Hunter"
- Contributions:490
Let your fingers do the walking thru "google" or your web browser of choice....
You can tell a lot by an agent by their marketing...
Also, activerain, zillow (of course), trulia are great areas to see what agents are blogging and saying....
You can then choose an agent based on your own research!
Good Luck! :-)
You can tell a lot by an agent by their marketing...
Also, activerain, zillow (of course), trulia are great areas to see what agents are blogging and saying....
You can then choose an agent based on your own research!
Good Luck! :-)
how to look for a realtor
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