1. The agent is also your produce man, waiter, or mechanic:

Agents who are working at multiple jobs will have to take time off to show your house to prospective buyers. Knowing the inventory of available homes and recent sales activity is not possible without previewing homes as they come on the market daily. Pull out a Big Bear Real Estate magazine and point at a home. Ask your agent to tell you where the home is located and the features. If your agent can't find the house they want to show you, that should throw up a red flag.

 

2. Your agent is your friend, sister, or brother:

Do you feel you will be best represented by your friend or family member? Is this person so desperate that there career is dependent upon your listing? Are you willing to jeopardize your relationship with this person if you have to fire them? Tell your friend or family member that you value the relationship that you have with them, and pick a professional.

 

3. It takes days for your agent to respond to your call:

Some Big Bear Real Estate agents only visit the office for up time. They are often unavailable before 9 or 10 in the morning or after 5 in the evening. Being available outside of the 9 - 5 schedule allows more contact with buyers.

 

4. The agents suggested price matches your perceived value:

Price is set by reviewing recent comparable sales, pending sales (escrows), and active listings (competition) . Pricing your property is the most important service that your agent provides. Property values are not set by the needs of sellers or the amount of debt. Property values are set by the market conditions.

 

5. Your Big Bear Real Estate agent doesn't need the Internet or a smart phone:

The Real Estate agent that you choose should be a tech wizard. Real Estate agents that are unwilling to change and use the tools that are available can't provide the best service to their clients.

 

6. Your agents marketing plan is an open house:

The agent that you choose should have a marketing plan that includes print, Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Real Bird, Craig's List, Back Page, etc.,static web sites, and blogging ( not in that order necessarily).  

 

7. Your Big Bear Real Estate agent doesn't work weekends or have a car to show property in:

Seriously, you should ask. It is almost mandatory for a Big Bear agent to be available on the weekends when the buyers are in town and have a vehicle with all wheel drive.

 

8. You are not aware of the location of your agents office and need directions:

If your agent has an office that is difficult for you to find, how are they going to be able to maximize buyer traffic? Many agencies have small buildings with minimal  signing and parking.

 

4 Comments on 8 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Interviewing Big Bear Real Estate Agents:

DEC
23
2007
My only disagrrement is item 8.  Many agents work from their homes or cars. Todays technology makes fancy offices  un needed. (see your #5)  I do work from a storefront office on a busy street, and I cant remember the last walk in we had
3:11pm • #1
I don't show homes before 9 O'clock in the morning.  For one thing, the lock boxes here will not allow entry before 9, and I think it's just more courteous to the owner.
3:33pm • #2

Ron,

Thanks for reading the post and commenting. I think it depends on your market. Here in Big Bear we don't have standard grid type of streets or neighborhoods. We have one main blvd. through town, so being on that and being visible is important. We are primarily a second home market, and we still see people seeking out real estate agents after arriving in town. Sometimes they don't know that they are a buyer until they get on the back deck of the cabin they have rented and start smelling the mountain air.We are seeing fewer walk-ins, and I think that trend will continue. Most of our leads are web generated, so your comment is true for us also.

Steve 

3:35pm • #3

Dallas,

Thanks for reading the post and commenting.We have a high percent of vacant second homes, so whenever a buyer wants to look at homes it's a good time.

Steve

3:38pm • #4

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Steve Hirschler, Big Bear Real Estate

Big Bear Lake, CA

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Coldwell Banker, Mountain Gallery Realtors

Address: 42163 Big Bear Blvd., PO BOX 6820, Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315

Office Phone: (909) 866-3481 x 217

Cell Phone: (909) 725-5889

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