The characteristics of a great Realtor are similar to those of a great loan officer. It is important to find someone you know, like and trust. But we all know a great personality isn’t the only thing you need when you are buying or selling a house.
Look for someone who is an expert in your neighborhood. Sometimes the value of your house can vary not just by the neighborhood but even by the street. You want a realtor that understands the subtelties of the community.
When you are buying a house finding someone who is an expert on the subdivision is a great time saver. The chances are they have been into most of the houses already and they will be able to narrow the search down to homes that fit your budget and tastes. When you are selling your house they will not only make set a fair price for your home, they will be positioned to find buyers who are interested in your neighborhood.
If you are like most people you will know if you feel comfortable with a realtor within the first thirty seconds, and trusting your instincts is not a bad idea. However, here are some other things to look for. We all know real estate agents are busy people and sometimes won’t be able to take your call because they are showing houses, but do they make the time or have an assistant that responds to your needs quickly? If you are buying a house have they already screened the homes they are showing you? Are they showing you homes that don’t meet your budget? Are they showing you homes that don’t fit your families needs? Unfortunately sometimes agents focus on selling homes listed by their company at the expense of showing the homes fit your needs. A good agent listens and finds the homes thatare best for you.
Picking an agent to list your home is an important decision. You want to have an agent that has a clear marketing plan. What resources will they be using to promote your home. In today’s market sticking a listing on mls is not enough. Do they have an 800 # that promotes your home 24 hours a day, do they have mobile resources, will they list you on Craig’s List, what other internet resources will they list your home on? Do they respond to your questions in a professional and timely manner? These are just a few of the questions you should ask.
The truth is overpricing your home can be just as bad as underpricing your home. You need an agent that gives you honest answers about your homes value based on experience and facts, not an agent that is willing to list it at any price just to get your business.
Look for agents that are well connected to the community and have great referrals. Take the time to research the agent, talk to people that have worked with them in the past. Strong testimonials from past clients not only indicates great service from the agent but also shows that they care about getting testimonials and referrals from you!