According to Google, there are already 13,400,000 results for this question, so why am I still adding #13,400,001? Because things have changed and some Realtor's have not!
When I Google'd "How to choose a Realtor", I read each one that showed up on the first page, excluding the paid for advertising one, and here was their consensus: get references x6; experience counts x5; hire a local agent x5; review advertising/marketing plans; etc.
Albeit none of them is bad advice, I have been a Realtor for 25 years and I have a different perspective altogether. Why not spin the table and use what the Realtors are telling you about your home as the model to decide which agent?
What I mean is that most agents offer Comparative Market Analysis on homes in your market, so why not use that formula on how to choose a Realtor in today's market?
- Location, Location, Location: Is the Realtor local, do they understand the location, do the locals know them?
- Type: Is the Realtor experienced in the right type of property? (commercial, residential, condo, vacant land, horse property, second homes, 1031 exchanges, etc.)
- Size: This can be their # of homes sold similar to yours, overall experience, etc.
- Basic Facts: Are they a Realtor verses just a licensee; are they a real estate broker or a real estate agent; are they a single agent or a team; are they full time or part time; etc.
- Upgrades: Do they have additional real estate designations/certifications? Do they take minimum levels of Continuing Education classes or do they excel? Did they invest in the right tools? (3D cameras, drones, websites, current cell phones, etc.)
- Deferred maintenance: Are they up to date on technology? Are they burnt out?
- Updating: How is the Realtor going to keep you updated? How are they going to communicate and how often?
- Staging: Are they staged correctly to sell your home? What is their marketing and advertising plan or is this going to be done "as-is"?
- Quality: Is the Realtor and/or their company rated by the Better Business Bureau? Any formal complaints with the real estate commission or licensing boards?
- Reputation: Would past clients recommend them? Would local lenders, title companies, other Realtors like to work with them? If not, why?
- Market research: On the Realtor! What is their sales to list price ratio? How many of their listings failed to sell? What is the average price reduction history? What is the Realtor's track record of success?
- Contracts: You should be the client not the customer. How does the contract benefit you? What if you want out?
- Net sheet: When you add up the pro's and con's, does this Realtor stand out more positive and provide the highest net gain?
Don't worry about remembering my list, since you can just ask the Realtors that you interview what the top 5 or 10 things regarding the value of your home. Then, ask them to describe themselves based on those 5 or 10 things. That should separate the ones that sell based on a pre-written script and a true salesman.
If you are looking for a Realtor in Boise, Idaho or the surrounding area, feel free to put me to this test. I treat each of my clients based on their individual needs. I don't just plug you into a system (sign in the yard) and wait for it to sell!
Call me at 208-573-0471 so you can perform a CMA on me, to see if I am the right agent to do a CMA for you!
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