At some point you will probably need a Realtor to either buy or sell a property. So how do you go about finding a good one that will meet your needs, particularly when there are a lot of Realtors to choose from? Well below are some recommendations that can help you select a Realtor that is right for you.
Experience
First, it is important to hire a Realtor who has been in the business a while and is experienced. Real estate has become more complex during the years and it is imperative that you work with a Realtor who is familiar with all the intricacies of the business. It is not in your best interest to consider a Realtor who is new in the business.
Full time
It is common to find Realtors who are part time. There are many reasons for this. A lot of Realtors need to work another job to make ends meet. Some are trying to break into the business as new agents. As a result, they are only available as a Realtor part of the time. You need to work with a real estate agent who is available to you – even in the evening and on weekends.
Interview
Once you have found two or three real estate agents that sound good on the phone, it is recommended that you meet with them in person. This will give you an opportunity to see first-hand if you like how they conduct themselves, and to see if there exists the right chemistry and fit for you.
Specific knowledge
What type of property you want to sell or buy can be of significance, when choosing a Realtor. For example, if you are selling an income or commercial property, you are going to want a real estate agent who is seasoned in that area. You many also want to try an agent who is familiar with the specific geographic location that you want to buy or sell in.
Realtor vs. agent
Just because a real estate agent has a license to sell property doesn’t mean she or he is a Realtor®. You may have noticed I followed that last reference to “Realtor” with the “circle-R” symbol for “registered trademark.” That is what the word Realtor is – a trademark. In order to legally call yourself a Realtor, you have to be a member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors®, which means you must adhere to the organization’s strict code of ethical conduct as you practice the business of being a Realtor.
References
It is always a great idea to get references from a Realtor. This will allow you to speak to people who have worked with the Realtor directly, so you can hear, first-hand, the experience they had with them. This also affords you the opportunity to ask questions that are of interest to you and that relate to your specific situation.
Referral
One of the best ways to find a real estate agent is to have someone you know refer them to you. If you know someone who has had a good experience with a Realtor, you should meet with them. This is probably the single most important factor when selecting a real estate agent.
One of the biggest complaints I hear about some Realtors is that they are simply not available. So when you are selecting a Realtor make sure you ask them how available they are going to be to you. For example, some Realtors have scheduled time slots when you can speak to them. But it is in your best interest to simply have a real estate agent who will be available to you when you need them.
The real estate industry may look simple from the outside looking in, but it is not. It has become a very complicated process and it is essential that you work with a good and experienced Realtor, when you need to buy or sell a property. When that time comes, keep in mind the tips above to help you find a Realtor that will best meet your needs and will do the best job possible for you. Happy house hunting or house selling!
Trent St. Louis is a licensed Real Estate Agent and a member of the National, California and San Diego Associations of Realtors. You can reach Trent at SpecialAgentTrent@gmail.com or at his office in Hillcrest, 619-300-1621. The Metropolitan Group (CADRE#01273643).
