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How to Hire the Best Agents...

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Assc Broker MD DC VA

Ever wonder what characteristics to look for in a real estate agent?  Whether buying or selling here are a few....

Professional Agents:
great agent

  • Are running a business and on a schedule
  • Show up on time and expect you to do the same
  • Work mostly by referral or recommendation
  • Expect you to make a commitment to them
  • Prepare a listing or buyer broker agreement outlining the terms of your contract
  • Will know the neighborhoods and the inventory of homes
  • Have good relationships with many of the other agents
  • Are competent and work full-time
  • Earn a living and work hard
  • Respect your time and expect you to do the same
  • Are available or make arrangements for coverage
  • Have experienced most issues and can offer advice
  • Will Tell you when you need to get other professional advice (e.g., lawyer, accountant, home inspector)
  • Contact you even though they might have bad news
  • Typically have a good sense of humor
Posted by

Yvette Chisholm, Associate Broker, MD, DC, VAAlan Bruzee & Yvette Chisholm Alan Bruzee, Associate Broker, MD, DC, VA
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
 Rockville/King Farm Office 301-548-9700
402 King Farm Blvd #150 Rockville, MD  20850

Telephone: 301-758-9500
 
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

www.BruzeeChisholm.com

 

Kim Sellers
Lake Arrowhead, CA Coldwell Banker - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Lake Arrowhead Realtor - BRE#01412099 - Lake Arrow

Great advice to the consumer.  And, all very, very true!

Nov 01, 2011 11:05 AM
Adrian Willanger
206 909-7536 AdrianWillanger-broker.com - Seattle, WA
Profit from my two decades of experience

Yvette, Pretty good job listing agent job description! Have a good week.

 

Best

Nov 02, 2011 03:07 AM
Ron Marshall
Marshall Enterprises - Saint Michael, MN
Birdhouse Builder Extraordinaire

Good job.   I think very many of these apply to any entreprenuer.  Wishing you a great week and month!

Nov 02, 2011 05:58 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

The 2nd to last one is so true. . . as a professional we can't be afraid to call our clients even with bad news.  Great list - thank yoU!

Nov 02, 2011 11:54 AM
Joshua Frederick
Home Inspector for ASPEC Residential Services, LLC - Defiance, OH
Home Inspector in Defiance & all of Northwest Ohio

Consulting with a Home Inspector who has been in business and/or working with the local Realtors, for say 5 yrs. or more, is also a good resource to hiring a good agent.  Home Inspectors will often have an intimate knowledge of the best (and ethical) Realtors in their area.  On a related side note, we will be re-implementing our "Preferred Realtor" coupons at the beginning of 2012. We will give discounted rates/coupons to clients who use a Realtor from this list.  The agents who are on this list are ones we have worked with in the past who are honest, ethical, professional, and most importantly, have the client's best interests at heart. 

Nov 02, 2011 10:40 PM
Yvette Chisholm
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD
Associate Broker - Rockville, MD 301-758-9500

You are absolutely right Joshua, that is one of the very best places to find a great agent.   Some of our very best home inspectors have been taken from us by cancer, strokes, and the like, but they always recommended us!

Nov 03, 2011 02:00 AM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Yvette--Love "sense of humor,"  so important in this business.

I plan to subscribe to your blog.  Thanks for stopping at my site recently.

Nov 06, 2011 10:25 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Hope you have lots of fun and food with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 24, 2011 05:19 AM
Maya Thomas, Broker
Tampa, FL
Please see my client recommendations.

EXCELLENT checklist for a buyer or seller looking for a GREAT Realtor!

Nov 24, 2011 09:41 AM
Ken Brandon
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage (Jacksonville, NC) - Jacksonville, NC
Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC

I agree this is a great list for both clients and agents to consider. If you want to operate a successful professional business, these should be incorporated as part of your business philosophy.

Nov 24, 2011 01:29 PM
Marge Piwowarski
Phoenix AZ Horse Property - Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix AZ Horse Property, LLC

Agents should work to achieve the above characteristics, clients won't know if the agent has all of them initially!

Jan 13, 2012 08:15 AM