Are All Agents Equal?

Those addendums can seem very overwhelming the first dozen times.  Best to hire an agent with experience and my personal feelings make compassion a requirement as well.

Nick - I'm with you. Seek out someone with the right expertise. Foreclosures are only about 2% of our market here so very few people really have that expertise. As a side note, we just studied Ecclesiastes 10 in Sunday School this morning. That's a scripture to put to memory.

I agree completely.  Experience is the one thing that sets agents apart.  Experience takes time and transactions. 

I recall one of my agents who declined to take a buyer referral a while back because he was scheduled to attend a CE class and had paid for it, a big $35.

I was surprised.  He would have learned far, far more on managing that buyer from showing through contract and settlement than a single 3 hour CE class.

I sold the buyer a home and deposited the commission check.

You are correct- we are not all equal in terms of experience or ability.  However in most consumers eyes we are all equal.  In theory we are all equal- we all attended (state specific) the same training classes to get our license, we all passed the same test, we all take the same continuing education classes, ect.  Some agents have taken and received designations- but most consumers see the initials and do not understand them so I think some of the importance is lost. 

It is at the closing table that the client sometimes see the differences. 

Nick - Why on Earth would any one want to use an expert/specialist? LOL

Seriously, you need an agent with knowlege and exertise.

All agents are NOT created equal.  Especially the ones that cleverly copy your web address by omitting one letter.

Lawsuit coming down the pipeline............................stay tuned.

Nick, I also thank GOD that we are not all equal.  Having specialized knowledge in an area is better than a generic knowledge of everything.

No, not all agents are created equal.  You have to be careful judging what an agent's capabilities are.

That’s why we need specializations in different niches, don’t we? If consumers have a more basic understanding in the quality of agents, they wouldn’t just pick up the phone to ask, How much are your fees – without knowing what services are rendered.

Interesting post. I have helped some buyers with their foreclosure purchases. It does involve being right on top of them and paying attention to the contract as 'Time is of the essence' can get very expensive if they stall.

Great advice and while common sense would say to use someone who has expertise in what you are looking to buy (for probably "the" most important purchase in your life), so many people ask about commissions and fees and try to get the best deal. It's like advertisements for lasic eye surgery that boast the lowest prices available - really? Because for my eyes (and future eyesight) I'm not really looking for the "bargain" Dr. but rather the one who has the stellar track record and comes highly recommended!

Nick i love your points, it is extremely important for a buyer to use a full time and local Realtor who is well experienced in bank owned homes. It is important for that agent to be expereince dto guide you through each step of the process when buying that foreclosure, it is different from buying an owner occupied home often called "a regual sale".  A lot of agents hate REO and shy away from it, for me, i love it. Something exciting happens everyday. It sure does not het boring.

Well I do think there are differences ,   we are all different as people, therefore we will come across different.

With that said, I do think there are some Realtors that are more knowledgeable than others for different reasons. 

Lots of good comments to read.

Patricia Aulson/ Seacoast NH & ME

The shoe must fit the foot and not just get by here....The right fit makes it look, sound and even feel good for all concerned. Not every Agent brings savvy to the party...Savvy cannot be bought.... only earned..good post and host...thank you

A few years ago, an agent friend was telling me how she was listing this great commercial property. I asked when she got into commercial, and she said she hadn't but couldn't turn down the portential commission... WOW! Some agents don't know how to stick to what they know.

Absolutely agree...I think the difference boils down to as basic as whether a "good" buyer's agent has any business listing homes...Even THAT requires a different mind set and skill set. I don't represent someone in real estate that I am not qualified to represent...but will GLADLY refer them to an agent with the expertise the client requires.