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How Can I Find a Great Buyers' Agent?

By Joetta Fort

Real Estate Agent with The DiGiorgio Group

January 27, 2011 09:48 AM

homes Denver to Boulder, Arvada homes Saw this question on Trulia today:

I'm struggling finding a reputable agent who works quickly and is responsive in my area. I'm looking to buy ASAP and am having a hard time. I'm looking for someone with expertise in the Hale, South Park Hill, and North Park Hill areas of Denver, CO. Can someone please refer someone who is reputable and responsive?

Thanks, Kelly

Here's how I answered:

Hi Kelly, I say 'Google' agents you're considering. If they have a blog you can read up on them and learn about their work style and the way they think. If you can also find the comments they leave on other posts, you can REALLY find out who they are!

Good luck! Personally, I don't work all over the place, I specialize because I believe that's the way to give people the best service. I hope you find an agent you LOVE who specializes in your area! Check out their profiles here on Trulia, see if they're on Zillow, Facebook - ask them for a list of the homes where they've represented the buyer and see if they really do work in the area you're looking in.

Ask them how many listings and how many buyers they're currently working with. Some agents never turn down a client, even if they have too many to give good service to all of them. Who do you think will get the majority of their attention?

Ask them if they're full time. I don't have anything against agents who've had to take a 'real' job in these trying times, but you need to know if their schedule will fit with yours.

A lot of the other answers were quite predictable, even though agents aren't supposed to promote themselves on Trulia. And of course there were those who advised Kelly to call them for a referral, I suppose so they could get a referral fee. But one agent (Julie Reddington) made a suggestion I'd like to add to my advice:

Send a few emails out and see who response you like and are quick.

This is a hard choice for people who don't know a great agent, or have a friend who knows one. Any other suggestions come to mind?

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Find all the homes available in Arvada, Westminster, Broomfield, North Denver, Thornton, Lafayette, Louisville, Wheat Ridge and Golden.

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I write posts on real estate issues and local events in the Denver metro area, especially those communities between Denver and Boulder, as a public service. My hope is to give people an idea of the ‘flavor’ of our community, in case they’re new or moving to the Denver area.

I am a residential real estate agent, happily helping folks buy a house or sell a house in the beautiful and friendly suburbs northwest of Denver.

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Kristi DeFazio

RE/MAX Advantage - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Rea lEstate 719-459-5468

I like your answer. I would have added, ask for references if you find someone you like.

Jan 29, 2011 02:30 AM

Rob D. Shepherd

RETIRED - Florence, OR

RETIRED

I felt your answer was well thought out! I hope they find an outstanding agent tot help them!

Jan 29, 2011 03:06 AM

Lottie Kendall

Compass - San Francisco, CA

Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

Joetta, I think you gave her a great answer, with proactive steps she can take .

Jan 29, 2011 03:09 AM

Joetta Fort

The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO

Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

Kristyn - I know what you mean. I actually got kicked off another site because I crossed that line. I guess that's why I'm more sensitive to it on Trulia. I have actually gotten business from them, so I want to stay in their good graces! BTW - telling possible clients to 'Google' someone IS promoting myself in a way, because they'll find more out there by me than by another other agents that I know of!

Margaret - you are right! I do it every now and then. One day, I'm going to start telling someone about my relationship with AR, and they're NOT going to say, "What's that?"

Valerie - that's I good point I left out of my post. It was in my imagination, but consumers can't see it there!

Vickie - thank you. I'm still surprised how often someone (even younger people) ask me a question and I'll say, "I don't know, I'll do an internet search", then find it in minutes. It's fun to do it for people though.

Mike - if an agent isn't on AR, do you find anything about them online? Maybe I have 'tunnel vision' but it seems AR is the place for agents to start their online presence.

KC - thank you! All these pats on the back are good for the ego.

John - One of my goals is to get together with AR members from all over the front range, so we can get to know each other for referral purposes. I just have to figure out a place and put a date to it. My favorite thing is to have people over to my house, but my family is getting tired of getting thrown out!

Monica - sounds like a good thing the Houston Association does for you!

Kristi - I've only had one buyer ask for past clients they could call, but then they never called them. But I do have some who are willing to get called, just in case!

Rob - I'm sure they will, there's a lot of good ones out there.

Lottie - Yes, I hope she's not in too big a hurry to really make sure she's getting one she clicks with.

Jan 29, 2011 04:05 AM

Chuck Carstensen

RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN

Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

It is interesting that the buyer would post on Trulia before going to Google or just asking a few friends.

Jan 29, 2011 04:15 AM

Nancy Conner

Olympia, WA

Olympia/Thurston County WA

I like your answer - you gave the buyer some great solid suggestions for finding an agent to work with. They could also ask the lender or lenders they have talked with (hopefully they have done that step) for referrals for excellent agents who work a lot with buyers in that area.

Jan 29, 2011 05:02 AM

Ken Patterson

TPR Properties - Rocklin, CA

Roseville Real Estate, TOP Rocklin Realtor

Joette - The only thing that I would advise differently is the "Area Specialist" preference. Many agents I run into say they are area specialist and only work a particular area. Many of them don't sell much. A good portion of them also aren't very good either. Having someone that doesn't sell much at all or that knows the benefits of surrounding areas near and far that may be better suited for a buyer though has knowledge of a specific home or people living on a street, etc... isn't what i think today's buyer is really after. Today's buyer wants to compare. They want to know what makes Rocklin a better choice for them than Folsom or Elk Grove... or why they might consider another area instead of the one they originally thought.

It is great to have a farm and work your sphere in a smaller area, but limited knowledge is not a benefit to a buyer. Just a thought... A buyer may want to select a "knowledgeable" agent that fits their personality and that they feel they can trust.

Jan 29, 2011 05:12 AM

Christine Smith

Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA

Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

I think you gave a good response. My other suggestion would be for them to contact NAEBA - National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents. They can provide a referral and information. Also, some states have a state equivalent. Here we have the Mass. AssociatIon of Buyer Agents.

Jan 29, 2011 05:26 AM

Renée Donohue~Home Photography

Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI

Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Googling agents and getting to know them via blog is just as good as going to open houses and meeting them face to face - if not better because you can get to know them privately without them even knowing they are being "shopped"!

Jan 29, 2011 05:32 AM

Robert Hammerstein

Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ

Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Joetta - Good answer. I tend to let them interview me or my wife and decide it it's a good fit and they are comfortable with us as a team... W/O the self promotion.... Though if they ask then I tell them all about us... I'm not a pushy guy I guess but I sleep well at night.... Just my two cents

Jan 29, 2011 05:43 AM

Joetta Fort

The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO

Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

Chuck - I got the feeling they had already worked with an agent. Maybe that was a referral from a friend, and just didn't click with them.

Nancy - I thought of that, but didn't want to get into a whole new conversation (about getting pre-qualified). But it is a good idea. Most lenders know a bunch of real estate agents, good and bad! Title companies too.

Ken - good point. If someone calls me wanting to live in a certain neighborhood, but they can't afford the homes there I need to know other neighborhoods I can recommend that fit their budget and hopefully have the amenities they want. I'm talking about a pretty large geographic area, not just a neighborhood. I specialize in Denver's northern suburbs, which covers about 6 small towns comfortably. Still, some agents cover everything north, south, east, and west and Denver itself. I think that's way too broad an area, there's actually a lot of local issues that are different downtown Denver and in a mountain community. Still, I've had people find me online, and say please, please help us find a house in Parker, and I've had past clients ask me to please work with their kids to find a house in Littleton. I will do it in those cases, but I believe that running around over such a broad area all the time would reduce the time I have for other clients, plus the marketing that always has to be taken care of.

Christine - I've never heard of NAEBA. I'll be some other agent answering the question brought it up though. Thanks for the tip!

Renee - that's why we have to always remember anyone in the world can see what we put online, not just friends and associates.

Robert - I have a hard time being pushy and doing self-promotion too. When I heard in RE school we had to 'sell' ourselves, I almost quit right then and there! (I know that's going to light a fire under some people, but we all have our own style!)

Jan 29, 2011 06:42 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Specialities and geographic area covered are vital to know plus more to their background. Excellent research available now with the Internet.

Jan 29, 2011 07:28 AM

Donne Knudsen

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA - Simi Valley, CA

CalState Realty Services

"Some agents never turn down a client, even if they have too many to give good service to all of them. Who do you think will get the majority of their attention?"

Joetta - Typically, it's my borrowers that fall to the bottom of the pecking order with these Realtors/agents when they get too busy with their other higher valued buyers. This is the biggest complaint and issue that many of my borrowers have about some of the agents that they have worked with. So much so, that many of my borrowers are asking me to do things for them that their BA should be doing for them (all of my borrowers know I am DRE licensed and have access to the local MLS).

In helping my borrowers find qualified Realtors/agents willing to work with them, I have been told more times than I care to remember that people like my borrowers have too many issues and are more trouble than they're worth. SERIOUSLY!!!

The only issues that my borrowers typically have is that their price range is in the low-end of the market (400k<) and they are either using an FHA loan or a dpa program to purchase their first home. And Realtors around here wonder why so many consumers around here don't trust them and have such a bad impression of them.

Jan 29, 2011 08:00 AM

Joetta Fort

The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO

Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

Gary - right on.

Donne - I know exactly what you're talking about. I take a limited number of clients because I don't want to be that person, treating people like they're worthless because the commission I will earn will be worth less. A lot of agents tell people that those of us who don't do as many deals aren't as good. It's an attitude I have to deal with often. But I tell people - my goal is to make you feel like you're my ONLY client! It makes me sad that people aren't willing to help these folks. I will, and who knows what kind of house they'll buy in 10 years, or how many referrals they'll send my way?

Jan 29, 2011 09:44 AM

Patricia Aulson

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH

Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

FInding an agent is easy. Google the area that you are interested in and see who comes up on the first page. Who's first, second, third, etc.... in the area you are looking would be a great place to start.

Patricia/Seacoast Nh & ME

Jan 29, 2011 12:43 PM

Joetta Fort

The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO

Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

Erica - it's the whole package.

Patricia - what seems easy to those of us in the business doesn't seem easy to the public. Especially if they've had a bad experience or two. But you're right, 'Googling' is a great start!

Jan 29, 2011 02:39 PM

"Jayne" Focused on Finding the "Right" Home For You

Georgia Residential Realty, LLC - Smyrna, GA

Thanks for sharing. I really liked your response it was personable & made the person think about how to choose an agent in the 21st century.

Jan 29, 2011 02:43 PM

Joetta Fort

The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO

Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

Hi Jayne - thanks for stopping by, and commenting too!

Jan 30, 2011 06:56 AM

Ken Patterson

TPR Properties - Rocklin, CA

Roseville Real Estate, TOP Rocklin Realtor

Hey Joetta - Totally understand! There are definitely areas of Sacramento that I simply choose not to work in for one reason or another. I know about them, but just don't work them. One of my strategies is to know the "Hot" areas regardles of how far they are from me. Anyway, hope Denver RE is rocking! Here's to a great 2011!

Jan 31, 2011 04:23 AM

Joetta Fort

The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO

Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

I'll bet you do know all those 'hot' areas too! Have fun out there in CA while the rest of the country freezes.

Feb 02, 2011 09:35 AM