I'm a Realtor.
I'm a Realtor who lives in Virginia.
I'm a Realtor who lives in Virginia but (still) owns his ex-homestead in another state.
I'm a Realtor who had to hire a Realtor to sell my ex-homestead in another state.
I'm a very un-happy Virginia Realtor because I hired the worst Realtor this side of the Mississippi to sell my ex-homestead in another state.
I'm a very un-happy Virginia Realtor because I hired the wrong person to sell my ex-homestead far away in another state. That was my fault. I was a dummy. I know that because my wife reminded me of it daily.
BUT, I'm now a wiser Virginia Realtor because I (re) learned several key things when hiring a Realtor. And I am relaying them to you so that you'll likewise be much the wiser and your wife won't call you a dummy.
First, I learned perspective. Going through the process of interviewing, hiring, and working with several Realtors as a consumer, was illuminating. All I wanted was a weekly call from my Realtor. A simple call. No big woop. Tell me if there were any showings, what the feedback was, and what marketing activity was done to promote my property. Not a long call. If there's nothing to report I'm not gonna' bite your head off. Just call me and let's talk.
But apparently follow-up and follow-thru are one of the most difficult things to do for the Realtors I dealt with.
Next, I learned N E V E R hire a friend, a relative, or someone you feel OBLIGATED to work with. Worst thing you can do. Whomever you hire should earn the job like anyone else. They should PROVE to you that they're the best person for the job. They should have global exposure through their internet presence and professional and social networking channels.
They should be professional marketers who also happen to show homes occasionally.
The Realtor you hire should be accountable for the results they do or don't produce.
The Realtor you hire should have a strong grasp of the local market, and armed with this knowledge, should be able to support very accurately the price opinion they determine is best for the sale of your home within the time frame you indicated would be ideal.
Your Realtor should be excited to be a Realtor and excited about the prospect of selling your home.
The Realtor you choose should be a full-time agent who derives their livelihood solely from the sale of real estate. No part-timers. Markets change and there's too much to keep up with now-a-days for part-timers to be truly effective and provide the best service to you with the least liability.
Your Realtor shouldn't always be yapping. They should be able to hear YOU when you talk.
Your Realtor should look professional. What's with Realtors wearing jeans and a t-shirt?
Now, one clarification.
Am I saying all Realtors are moronic, poorly dressed, deaf, unknowledgeable goons somehow related to you? No. But it IS too easy to get into real estate, and it's too easy to get out. That's why in our Charlottesville market alone there are over 1100 people who hold real estate licenses. Out of those 1100 less than 200 of them did more than 7 transactions last year. I don't think the other 900 or so can really say they're successful, professional, full-time, market sensitive Realtors on a mission to sell your home.
Anyway, that's just my two cents worth. I love the art of selling real estate. I'm proud to make my living as a Realtor. And I'm grateful to have the tables turned so that I could see through the eyes of a consumer, giving me a special gift-the gift of perspective.
I'm a Realtor in Virginia who had to hire a Realtor.
I'm a Realtor in Virginia who had to hire a Realtor-and that opportunity, and the lessons I learned from it, will help me understand the needs of my clients better, and that, I hope, will make me a better, more successful Realtor.
Thanks for reading!
Visit my web-site: http://www.CharlottesvilleHomeSellingTeam.com
E-mail me: Fulton@kw.com
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