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How do you determine the right Realtor to meet your needs?
Everyone’s needs are different and you have to consider the personality of the REALTOR as well as the Realtor’s professional qualifications. Here are some helpful hints:
HINTS FOR THE SELLER
· Does the agent know the community where your real estate is located?
The agent who lists the property has the primary interest in its sale. Buyers will be contacting the agent and the more the agent knows of the community, the easier it is to respond to a buyer’s question.
· Ask for a Comparative Market Analysis.
This sales guide compares your property to property on the market, property that recently sold and property that expired with no sale.
The CMA will give you an expected listing price.
Compare CMAs of at least three agents. Question the agents as to the justification of the listing price. Don’t choose the agent who gave you the highest listing price, unless they can support the price with other sales in the vicinity. You do not want to list with a Realtor who convinces you to list the price at an artificially high price, only to reduce the price sometime during the listing period.
· How many properties has the Realtor sold in your neighborhood or community?
The Realtor’s sales experience can be critical to marketing your property to its best advantage.
· Will the real estate firm give you a commitment to market your property on a scheduled basis and not have one listing that is representative of 10 properties that the firm has listed in that community?
· What is the REALTOR’s commitment to professionalism?
One measure of professionalism is educational certification? Is the REALTOR a GRI or hold a higher designation? Real estate marketing is a dynamic business and education provides the seller with assurance that the REALTOR has a commitment to the industry.
· Choose a REALTOR whose personality is compatible with yours.
HINTS FOR THE BUYER
· Some buyers prefer to utilize the services of a buyer’s agent.
A buyer’s agent has special requirements that differ by state. The agency status provides a fiduciary relationship between the buyer and the agent. Other buyers want to retain their independence and feel comfortable with a seller’s agent. Remember, the seller’s agent has a fiduciary relationship to the seller and must
provide the seller with information as to the buyer’s ability to purchase the property.
· Choose a REALTOR who understands your needs and is prepared to work with you in achieving your goal of homeownership.
· Be a knowledgeable buyer.
The purchase of a home is the biggest transaction that the average person will make in their lifetime. Spend the time to learn about the community you are interested, your mortage qualifications, your housing preferences and what is required in the real estate transaction. A knowledgeable buyer will more often then not be a satisfied homeowner.
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