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When looking for a local real estate agent how do you choose one to help you find the perfect Austin home?

By
Real Estate Agent with WJK Realty 0570241

People find real estate agents in a number of ways. Ask friends or family if they liked their Realtor or Broker that helped them buy their home. You can also look online, thumb through the yellow pages, scan the neighborhood newsletter to see who advertises in the newsletter, or just walk into a local real estate office. Unless your getting a personal referral from friends or family it can be a toss up as to the kind of service you receive. Big real estate companies often hire hundreds of agents and each gives different levels of service. Some are better than others, but all provide the same basic service: helping you to buy or sell a home.

So is it better to go with the biggest agent on the block, who may pass the client off to an associate after the first meeting? Or is the smart choice to go with the Realtor that is with you every step of the home buying or selling process? Personally I take a page out of Avis Rent a Car's philosophy. "We are number two, so we try harder to earn your business." You may ask what does this mean? It means I will personally be with you every step of the buying or selling process. It means I will be here for you long after the sale if you need a service contractor or have questions about relocation, current market values, Homestead Exemptions or anything. I have had clients call me more than two years after our closing to ask questions. I am here for them and I will be here for you too!

To buyers this means I will help you find a lender that suits your needs, find the right home, provide comparable home sales so you know your not over-paying for the home, negotiate a fair price, find a great home inspector, and be there for you during each phase of the purchase. I do not hand off my clients to transacton coordinators or associates, and I do go to the closing with you to make sure that all of your questions are answered.

For sellers this means I will put you in touch with professional photographers, stagers, and handymen if you so desire. I will effectively market your home in a variety of ways. I will: request to have your home in the Keller Williams property tour, I will create flyers to let your neighbors and people that drive by your home know its available. I will hold open houses to allow prospective buyers see your home in person. I will place your home on several websites to allow people searching for a home on-line to view your home. I will help you set the price by looking at recent sales in your neighborhood. I will help you negotiate a fair price and go to the closing with you in case you have questions.

This has always been how I do business. To me selling homes is not just about the home, its about the people and the relationship. I try to set a standard of excellence so my clients are loyal and send me referrals. Referrals are about 50% of my business. My clients know I will do whatever it takes (within the law) to help them find the right home and get a great deal. If you need help buying or selling a home, please call me to see what a full service Realtor is all about.

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If you are in the market for an Austin area home and are not presently working with a Realtor, please call me. I would be happy to help you through the process of buying or selling a home. I specialize in Relocation and I make the process easy to navigate. I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Betina
Foreman, Realtor

Keller Williams Real Estate    1801 S. Mopac, Suite 100    Austin, Texas 78746     512-771-6318    BetinaForemanRealtor@yahoo.com     www.CentralTexasGreenHomes.com

Member: Austin Board of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, ActiveRain.com-RainMaker, Trulia-Top Realtor Voices, and Zillow-Neighborhood Pros.

Toula Rosebrock
Diane Turton, Realtors, Forked River, NJ - Lacey Township, NJ
Broker/Sales Associate, Realtor, Lacey Township,

ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Betina:

I like the Avis quote you included here...

I'm fortunate to get clients via word of mouth.

Great information for buyers, they need to make an informed decision on which agent to work with!

Nov 29, 2009 06:48 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Betina, I still don't know if people realize just how important it is to choose wisely in working with a Real Estate Agent.  I'm glad you put this information out there so those that don't know will learn.

Nov 29, 2009 01:01 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

Betina - you certainly have a wealth of information in this post to assist sellers in choosing their real estate agent.  It is a process that can not be taken lightly! 

Nov 29, 2009 11:04 PM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Great advice Betina.

Love the Avis analogy.

Like Leesa above, I agree that sellers (and buyers alike) should not take the process lightly when choosing their real estate agent.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Nov 30, 2009 01:27 AM
Jim Frimmer
HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA
Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I really liked this post, Betina. It has that personal flavor that comes through in your writing which too many people leave out.

Nov 30, 2009 07:30 AM