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Tips on Choosing the BEST Realtor for your Home

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Apartments Rent Rebate Inc | Alexander Landman Realty Inc 601079

 

 

This article was written by one of my clients she is a writer and a home buyer and seller multiple times. I asked her to write from her prospective (as a client) what she thinks about choosing and working with a Realtor in a real estate transaction.

These days, it seems like everyone and his dog has a “friend” who is a Realtor.  However, choosing a Realtor is a very important decision – a critical one.  It’s not like choosing a restaurant for dinner or what movie to watch – those are great tips to get from friends, but picking a real estate agent is a very strategic business decision and you need to do it right.  It doesn’t matter if you are buying or selling a home, your Realtor can either be your biggest asset, or your biggest liability.

It isn’t just a matter of who you like the most, or who is the most well-known in your area, a terrific realtor can save you thousands of dollars, while a bad one can cost you money instead.  That great agent can coach you into setting the correct price on your home for sale, advise you on what changes or improvements to make to get top-dollar offers, and tell you on when to accept an offer or walk away.  Similarly, if you are buying a home, a great agent will find those hidden gems in just the right neighborhood, and be at your side through the offer/counteroffer phase to make sure you are getting the best home while remaining in your price range.

Once the offer is extended or accepted, that is when your realtor will really earn his or her fee.  Real estate contracts are extremely tricky.  These are specific milestones that must be met, and having an agent who is on their toes is critical.  Missing a deadline can cost you significant dollars.  Also, bad realtors are careless.  They are likely to miss a critical clause slipped in by the other side, or they might miss a significant problem with the property.  A sprinkler leak or a cracked furnace can be just as bad as a poorly written title or a missed credit check.

The best realtors have the best contacts as well.  As in every business, there are reputable and meticulous folks as well as ones who just do a so-so job.  When it comes time for home inspections, or appraisals, or the people who handle all the paperwork, you only want the BEST in the business, and you want the agent with the inside tips on who to work with and who to steer clear of.

In this high-tech world, you need someone who knows their way around a computer.  A competent Realtor will have an up-to-date online presence on various social platforms, and be able to search listings, run comparison reports, and keep all their paperwork organized.  You don’t want someone with butterfingers handling your critical legal documents.

So, how to find Prince Charming without kissing a bunch of frogs?  Well, as in any business transaction, do your homework.  Check their record with your local real estate licensing board.  Ask for references, and check their stats on homes listed vs. sold within the last year.  How many homes sold at or above list price?  Interview a couple of potential choices, making sure to ask good questions about their education, experience, and their track record.  Ask for references from prior clients and then actually call them.

Warning signs of a poor agent –showing up late or unprepared to your interview, not being able to speak knowledgeably about the market.  Beware of someone promising a high selling price on your home for sale, someone who is part-time, or over-busy trying to work on numerous listings at once, or someone who has had not closed many successful sales.  Steer clear of anyone who suggests that you cover up property damage, or who doesn’t advise you on how to stage and show your house for sale properly.  You are working in partnership with your agent, so it is in their best interests to help you get your home sold quickly for a reasonable price. 

 

This article was first published on AlexanderLandmanRealty.com

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