Walking through supermarkets, driving around town, talking to neighbors....these are ways to learn which Realtors are working in your local area. You can ask questions, and see which agents seem to be working the most, or the hardest. But what about the relocation buyer? One who doesn't have the luxury of using a company provided Realtor? How can you tell who is the right person for your needs?
It takes a certain amount of discipline to be a good Realtor.And many agents just don't have it. They love the quick "take them out and sell" clients....ok, sure, we all do! But relocation clients are different, they need to learn about the communities, they aren't going to be able to run out on a moment's notice to see a great new listing you just emailed them and write an offer that day. It requires patience on the part of the Realtor to determine the needs of the buyer and prepare for when they do get to see homes. Normally, they have a very limited amount of time in the new area and often need to buy that very weekend.
But how can you tell if the agent you are speaking to is this person? The one who will work with you to educate you and help you define needs and communities? The first thing to ask is "how do you work with relocation clients"? Does this sound like a simple question? It is....and simple is best. Ask and then listen to the plan. Most of the time you will be able to tell the agent's experience and comfort level.
A good relocation agent is familiar with many different areas and cities....they do not just have one city they try and fit all buyers into. The argument can be made, how can you be an expert in so many different cities? Experience! Do I know more about the city I grew up in and live in? Sure.....but does that mean I don't work in other cities and have learned about them as well? Of course I have. And what I don't know, I know how to find out. That's the key. I remember in college a teacher told me that college was not to teach us everything, but to teach us how to learn. Real estate is the same way.
By understanding the client's needs we can know if Irvine schools will be the best fit, or Mission Viejo's extra curricular actitivies, or San Clemente's beaches....or whatever the needs might be. This saves the buyers time when they reach Southern California.
Every new client and their needs will bring experience in new developments, new cities and new communities. What to look for in each rarely changes. If the buyer had children, then we need to know about the schools and parks and extra-curricular activities. If the buyer is retired, we might look for health care centers, public transportation options and golf courses. It's unique to the buyer....and an experienced relocation Realtor knows how to gather this information and share it in advance of the buying trip.
The main thing, though, is how much time and energy the Realtor is willing to put into the buyer before they visit to shop. If an agent isn't willing to answer questions, send listings, have a good system for information gathering for the preliminary plan....run! A solid Realtor understands that relocation clients are not going to buy on Sunday, but also that if you present yourself professionally and thoroughly, they have no reason to use anyone else when they do buy. You need to be able to do the legwork in advance so they have the best chance of seeing homes that suit them when they do get here. I often hear of agents who just throw these prospects on a drip system and hope for the best, willing to interact ONLY when they have a date set to see homes. This is not the right agent for a relocation buyer.
I am a relocation buyer myself. I am looking for property in Santa Fe. I was there last February and also a year prior. During the first trip, I met the President of the local real estate board at an open house and he put me on a drip system. A few weeks prior to this year's trip, I began to email/call this agent to set up a time to see some of the listings. Never heard back from him.....all that time and effort he wasted and I went to see homes with someone off the street corner real estate company. Shame....
If you are considering a relocation to Southern California, do some research, contact a few agents and ask the questions. Make sure that you are getting a Realtor who understands the special needs of a relocation buyer.
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