Someone recently posted a question on Trulia asking about tips for finding a good Realtor. It got me thinking, and I decided to write a blog post on it.
First, I think buyers & sellers should ask about a Realtor's
area of expertise (including geography, type of property, and type of
client).
For example: Geography: Are you an expert in a certain
neighborhood, town or suburb? Buyers focused on a specific area will
want an agent who knows that area well. For example, I'm primarily
focused on the N. Denver Metro area. Sometimes buyers will ask me about
Highlands Ranch, and I am honest with them and say "that's not my area
of expertise. I'd be happy to show you houses there, or I can refer you
to an agent who is more familiar with that area."
Types of
Properties: Do you specialize in single family homes? Condos? Farm or
ranch properties? Fixer uppers? Each one has it's own things you want to
look for.
Types of Clients: Do you work primarily with First
Time Buyers? Retirees? Relocation Buyers? Clients who are "moving up" or
"downsizing"? Each situation is different.
Second - Consider
the Realtor's personality and "sales style". Some agents are very "high
pressure", which really isn't necessary in this business. Buyers are
already to buy. They don't need to be "sold" on something. (actually,
some do which I'll get to in a moment). I am not that type of Realtor.
My job is to listen to the clients' wants & needs, find properties
that would work for them, and then get the transaction closed.
I
was actually "fired" a few years ago by some buyers who thought I wasn't
"aggressive enough" and who were used to "agents who tried to up-sell"
them! Seriously?! Some buyers are super easy and flexible to work with,
and may find the right house after looking at 5 homes. Others are more
"finicky" and have to look at a hundred houses before they "settle" on
one. While I would love to try and "sell" these people on a home after
about the 50th house, I don't. It is up to the buyers to decide when
they have found "the one". My job is to be patient, and listen to their
wants and needs and find the right house, even if it means looking at
100 of them.
Third - Years of experience. You want an agent who
knows his/her way around a contract and has a proven track record of
getting transactions closed. BUT...years of experience isn't everything.
I still consider myself a "newer" agent (coming up on 9 years) and I run across plenty of
"experienced" agents (15-20 years in the biz) who don't know how to write a contract, or who miss
things on the contract that will negatively impact their client. You
want someone who is competent and who is going to be looking out for
your best interests at all times.
Finally -- and this one is key
-- I think references and referrals are a great way to find the right
Realtor. I've had clients contact me solely on my references, or who
were referred to me by friends, family and past clients. This business
is more than just about buying & selling real estate. It's about
developing relationships. You want to find someone who you LIKE, who you
can TRUST and who you're going to have a good working relationship
with. What better resource than to ask YOUR trusted friends, family and
colleagues about Realtors they would recommend?!
I hope this helps!
Sally Grenier
Broker/Owner
Grenier Real Estate
sally@sallygrenier.com
303.475.4508
And my profiles on various real estate / social media websites:
Trulia: http://www.trulia.com/profile/sallygrenier/
Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/profile/sallygrenierRE/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrenierRealEstate
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sallygrenier
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sallygrenier/