We found a buyer for a property that had been referred to me.  I believe the agent found me on the internet and the listing was placed in my hand, sold within 2 months and we are all happy.

When I am faced with the need to send a referral to a town where I know no one, I also go to the internet for information.  I first go to Realtor.com and see who has enhanced listings.  I know!  I know!  Some of you hate Realtor.com. But Realtor.com does allow 25 photos of listings which they call enhanced.  If people are going to pull up listings they will first look at the ones with the most photos.  So my thinking is that if an agent in that town cares enough about their career to pay the high price for Realtor.com enhanced listings, they are serious agents.  If they pay to have them featured that is even more interest in their career.

Once I narrow that down, I look to see about the designations.  Who has GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO?  CRS is probably the most impressive of these so I like to find that designation.

I also check email addresses.  If an agent doesn't have a domain name and has a hotmail or yahoo email, I consider them lacking in professionalism.  If they are not findable with their own web page, I find them not serious.

This does a lot of narrowing down and it helps.  Then I place the call to the agent that has come out best in my search.  It would be interesting to know how you do your referrals.  And if you were a buyer, how would you start your search.

Barbara S Duncan

Hopefully, your chosen agent in

Searcy Arkansas!

www.barbarasduncan.com

 
Post is included in group: Realtors®
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24 Comments on How do you choose a referral agent in a strange town?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JAN
31
2008
227,109 Points
It's not just for my office. It's for my company which has 27 offices in my state. It's very helpful with people moving out of the state and into the state since we also have a full relo division.
9:06pm • #5
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Jonathan, I can see it is handy with outgoing but what about incoming?  How do YOU get chosen to receive a referral?
9:20pm • #6
167,648 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Google the town (Real Estate Agents "Town") then start visiting websites. When I could not find an agent in Activerain...this is what I do....I works well for me.
9:22pm • #7
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Robert, that's a great start.  I must admit that I do this too. 
9:36pm • #8
1,328,200 Points 188 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Barbara, all good ideas by you and the commenters not to mention screening them over the phone.
10:19pm • #9
FEB
01
2008
227,109 Points

Incoming leads go to my broker who hands them out fairly to everyone on a rotating basis, unless if the referring agent mentions a agents name spefifically or with a spefic criteria.

~Jon
8:28am • #10
644,774 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Jon, that's a nice way of doing it.  With lots of agents they must not roll around too often.
1:25pm • #11
FEB
05
2008
 Good post Barbara, I would do the referral in pretty much the same way as you. The last opportunity I had to refer someone to an agent was a client who was moving to California. I chose someone with a CRS designation and spoke to her first before sending the client information. If you are referring a buyer, look for someone with an ABR designation. Within the metro area in which I live, I would refer within my company first. Of course, there are referral networks as well, and don't forget Active Rain.
11:49am • #12

Barbara I am really involved with Women's Council of Realtos so I always start my search there.  I also look for deisgnations, email address and websites.

If you ever need an agent in Central Fl keep me in mind and I will do the same for AR (by brokers happen to be from there as well).

Melonie Haag
7:02pm • #13
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Rich, thanks for comment.  I'm getting new ideas on how to refer.

Melonie, thank you for mentioning Women's Council of Realtors.  I have never joined the Council and have mixed emotions about whether it is needed.  Women need to be in the same groups with men, in my opinion, and I hate for women to be exclusive.  We had to work so hard to get in the men's associations ! But it may be a wonderful group. 

8:18pm • #14
FEB
06
2008
 Barbara, please don't feel that way about the council.  Men can join!  Infact there are a lot of men that are a part of the council.  You should really check them out sometime.
1:43pm • #15
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Hello All Pro Team,

If men can join they need to change the name.  How would we ladies feel if there was a Men's Council of Realtors.  I remember when women couldn't join the Lions and other civic clubs.  There comes a time when perhaps a change is needed.  I also object to the Business Women clubs.  I also taught in the high school when girls were not allowed in the Key Club and there was no equivalent one for them.  I threatened a law suit and things changed, not because of my threat but because of students wanting change.  All clubs are better when they have both men and women, I think. 

 
1:51pm • #16
FEB
10
2008
154,337 Points

Hi Barbara,

This so funny!  I go through the same process as you.  It saves a lot of headaches later on. 

Catherine
4:25pm • #17
One thing I do, since I"m a board member is pull the cards from the conventions and meetings I've attended.  If there isn't someone in that stack, then I scope the web and look for designations.  If I am referring someone I want to make sure they are being taken care of by a reliable person on the other end!
4:29pm • #18
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Catherine, we are together then!  Thanks.  Check me out if you need someone!

Sandra, sounds like a good plan.  I used to keep cards from conventions and meetings but now I use the web almost exclusively.  If I know them well enough I put them on my database so it is on my phone.  I do also refer to designatins.
4:59pm • #19
MAY
24
2008

To be honest, I look for agents with advanced degrees not designations.

I now refer my buyers to another agent who also has at least one masters degree.

I figure everything else is secondary. I don't mean to be "elitist". Please don't perceive me as such.
9:36pm • #20
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Vanessa, thanks for stopping by this blog.  Requiring a master's degree will eliminate a lot of real estate agents! But it could work!
9:49pm • #21
MAY
25
2008

We really need to raise the bar.

People like me work VERY hard and it's discouraging dealing with public perceptions.

 
12:51am • #22
644,774 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Vanessa, you have several master's degrees? 
8:14am • #23

I am starting my 2nd Masters in a few weeks.

Why do you ask?

My broker (and partner) just finished his 2nd. I love working with him. Between us, there is so much innovative energy, our clients truly get great service. It wasn't the same with other agents, no offense to them.
9:54pm • #24

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Barbara S. Duncan, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Searcy AR

Searcy, AR

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RE/MAX Advantage

Address: 1507 E Race, Searcy, AR, 72143

Office Phone: (501) 268-1115

Cell Phone: (501) 278-6817

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