How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent
Usually the best way to find a good real estate agent is to talk to people. Find someone that had a good experience with their agent. Then have an interview with them. The relationship between you and your agent is similar to a boss and his employee. You are hiring them to help you. Why wouldn't you interview them before deciding if you want that agent to represent you and work for you? Ask them about the following.
1. Experience - In this business, nothing is more important. Having "been there" means too much. There are so many problems that can arise in a real estate transaction and the deal could fall apart if the agent does not have the experience to know how to handle those problems. How many years has your agent been in the business? How many sales transactions have they been a part of? Maybe even ask for a resume.
2. Education - In most states only a high school diploma is required to get a real estate license. Has your agent furthered their education? In the real estate industry there are many designations that can be earned through additional education. CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) and GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) are the most common and most recognized. These are like mini degrees specializing in real estate. To a higher level, has your agent completed college and received a bachelor's or even a master's degree from a major university?
3. Specialized Skills - Many agents have specialized skills, either from previous employment or something they have worked on while selling real estate. Real estate agents with financial, sales or lending backgrounds can offer huge advantages in understanding the market, negotiating, or helping you complete the sale. Is the agent good at marketing, creating fliers, taking pictures, creating videos? Look at their web site and other listings they have and ask about his or her previous background. Tip: If they don't have a nice web site, they're probably not that serious about their business.
4. Service Oriented - This part is often overlooked, but it definitely shouldn't be. Real estate is a "helping others" type of business. A true service oriented agent cares about others and will serve in their community, as a part of their Realtor organization, or maybe in their church. The agents I've met performing acts of service for others are typically the best agents out there. They really do care and put forth an effort to help others.
5. Testimonials - This may just be the most important thing to ask for. A good agent should have lots of satisfied clients, raving about their great experience in buying or selling their home.
A Real Estate Agent that is experienced, educated, skillful, service-oriented, and has a long list of satisfied clients.....now that's the agent I would want to work with and have represent me.
If you're looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate in Tucson,
I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to show what I can
do for you.
Greg McCown
Century 21 1st American
(520) 907-6760
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