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Sellers: Choosing a Real Estate Agent - Making the Decision

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Real Estate Agent BRE: 01873814

Handshakeby George Lawson

Okay ... you've searched for good agent candidates and interviewed them. You've reduced the pool of prospective agents based on their experience and marketing skills. Now comes the fun part ... narrowing the search down to one agent. Look for the Three C's --

COMMUNICATION

Probably one of the biggest complaints that buyers and sellers have of Real Estate Agents is the lack of communication. A good agent is like your business partner in a big financial undertaking. So you’ll want an agent that is always ready, willing and available. Some agents have assistants handling much of their work. If this is the case, be sure your agent is at least the one who will actually check the contracts and close the transaction.

It doesn't matter how fantastic your agent is, if your communication styles don't sync. Discuss how the agent will keep you informed and how often you can expect to hear from them. If you prefer email, but the agent is most responsive with phone calls, this might not be a good relationship. If you know you're going to have lots of questions along the way, or expect to receive quick responses, but the agent communicates only in bi-weekly updates, you may wish to move on to another agent.

CONTRACT

Know what you’re signing. Take the time to read through all of the fine print when asked to sign a working contract with an agent. Will this be an "exclusive" or "open" listing? Has the agent identified exactly what he/she will do in marketing your home? Will the agent let you out of the contract if you decide the fit is not working?

COMPATIBILITY

There’s no underestimating the importance of personality when choosing a real estate agent. You're going to spend a lot of time with this person whether you are buying or selling. You need an agent who will know the answers to your questions. So choose one who listened to your needs in the interviews and took the time to explain things you might not understand.

It's also important to choose an agent who works on your time schedule. If a listing agent doesn't work on weekends, for example, consider who will be responsible for showing the house on weekends or holding an open house.

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That's the end of my series. If you missed a portion of it, you can begin here. And if you are shopping for an agent, I wish you the best of luck in your search!

Finally, I close with an obligatory plug:

My team of Inland Empire real estate professionals stand ready to help you with all aspects of buying or selling a home in Riverside or San Bernardino Counties. We have an innovative approach to real estate marketing, using new technology and social media platforms to penetrate the Inland Empire real estate market. Contact me today for a free consultation. I look forward to serving you!

Copyright 2011, George Lawson (all rights reserved)

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Comments (1)

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula
Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA
Realty Works Temecula

George:  You are correct, communication is the biggest complaint consumers have about real estate agents...addressing this in the way that you did by pointing out that communication "styles", are important, is so important.

Jan 24, 2012 03:20 PM