When I need to find a good Realtor in a new area that I don't work in, I start by...
1. Looking on Active Rain , not for a Realtor but for a Stager. It's very easy for a mediocre real estate agent to have a fabulous website. All they need is cash and a talented web designer. I have found that stagers' websites are much more indicative of their actual abilities.
2. After looking at the staging websites, I pick the 2 or 3 Stagers whose work looks particularily good. I then call each one and ask them to recommend the best agent in their area for the type of property involved. For example ,are you selling a condo, a starter home or maybe a luxury property?
3. After that, I interview each agent by phone and ask them to e-mail their last 3 listings to me as well as contact info for a client they have worked with recently who would be willing to tell me about the experience. After checking this out I have a pretty good idea if they walk the walk.
4. What you're going to be looking for on their listings is market time, the quality of their online pictures (Do they use a professional photographer?) and text (Is it compelling or just the same old same old?). The question you want to ask yourself is; If I was searching for a home online, whose listing would catch my attention?
5. How an agent presents your home to the public is crucial. I look for agents who work with stagers or who have the ability to stage their own listings; however, check out their before and after pictures. Many agents claim to provide staging just because they've taken a 2 day class on the subject.
6. Feel free to check out my website http://www.susanpeters.com/ to see what staging can do for your property. Also make sure your agent knows how to fully market your property online. Last but not least, when you find someone who's really good (and if you do all of this you will) listen to them. Good luck.
If this seems too daunting, I would be happy to do the research and refer a wonderful agent to you.
Please contact me at 206-781-1724 or susan@susanpeters.com
Susan Peters has been nominated as RESA Staging Realtor of the Year. Click HERE to vote. Voting is open to everyone.
Comments(12)