With the bazillion real estate agents in your community, how do you pick the right one? How do you know how to choose?
I've been selling homes forever, and I have developed a pretty strong opinion on this. First I'll tell you what you do NOT base your choice on.
1. Price? Don't get all gaga over the highest price. That agent may be wrong, or trying to "buy" your listing. You want the RIGHT price, not just the highest.
2. Commission rate? The lowest commission is meaningless if your escrow doesn't close. Ask what you will get for the commission. What are their services? What will they do to get you the highest price? That half percent difference will disappear if the sales price is higher.
3. Experience? The most experienced isn't always the best agent. I'm a 30 year broker, and I know agents who have sold as long as I have who no longer have passion for the business. They've quit progressing. They've mentally checked out.
4. They sold the neighbor's home? That might indicate a great agent, but maybe they got lucky.
5. A friend's referral? Now you're getting somewhere. If your friend had a good experience, that's a pretty good indicator that you might too.
6. From an ad or open house? It's somewhat of a crap shoot, but if you like them in person, you may be a good fit, but even agents who have never closed an escrow will sit on an open house.
My Opinion? Ya ready? Find yourself a problem solver. Especially one with lots of experience. One who is creative, knowledgeable, and experienced at solving problems is the one you want.
Why? Because the one constant in buying or selling a home is there are always problems. For Example.....
* You can't buy till you sell, but don't want to sell till you buy. Hmmm...
* It wasn't disclosed that there have been insurance claims on the house and now the buyer's insurance is through the roof.
* Your lender won't loan on the home because there is peeling lead based paint, and the seller won't fix it.
* Suddenly there is someone else who claims to own the house. Eeeek.
* You've got mold. Or termites. Or mold AND termites!
* Your seller seems a little confused at times and the escrow officer refuses to recognize them as competent to sign over the deed.
Trust me, right next to death and taxes, problems are the one thing you can count on in your next escrow. That's why with all the For Sale By Owners out there, real estate agents continue to be used in most home sales. Cause we are the problem solvers.
So next time you look for an agent, ask them about their last problem they solved. If they are an active Realtor, it was probably today!
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