All Real Estate Agents Are Not Created Equal

**Important things to look for in a Real Estatebest chance of quickly and smoothly helping you
Agent**to buy or sell your home.
When selling your home, one of the most**Use an agent who is part of a larger
important services your real estate agent canorganization**
perform is helping you set the listing price. MostAgents who are part of an active, aggressive
people approach a sale thinking they have alocal office will have access to "inside" information
pretty good idea of what their home should sellthat could be helpful in your quest to buy or sell a
for. But the fact is, until you do some seriousproperty. Virtually all agents now have access to
calculations based on current market trends, saleMLS listings, but new listings often take a number
prices in your area, and what other similar homesof days to get on the MLS system. A
have recently sold for, there is no way you can"connected" agent will know about new listings
possibly know what price to set. Your agent willimmediately after they come available.
be able to help you with this process.Be sure your agent is part of a national network?
**Stay away from agents who promise anThis is less important than it used to be because
unrealistically high price**there are fewer and fewer truly independent
Good real estate agents know they cannotagents out there. Most agents in Canada are
always get the price you expect to get. Theyaffiliated with a national chain, and all have access
know the market dictates your price. Anyto MLS listings. Being part of a national chain is
experienced real estate professional will tell youespecially important if you're selling in one city and
that listing your home at an unrealistically highmoving to another. Your selling agent can refer
price is the best way NOT to sell it. Find ayou to a professional, compatible agent in your
knowledgeable agent who knows your marketdestination city - and keep in close contact with
and is realistic about setting your price.that agent so both your selling and buying efforts
Don't list with an agent who promises he or sheare closely coordinated.
can get you an unreasonably high price for your**Use an agent who has your interests at
home. Some agents use a high listing price as aheart**
ploy to get you to list with them. You soonFind an agent who seems primarily interested in
discover that the market dictates the price. Aftersharing expertise and market knowledge in an
a few weeks of getting very little traffic at thehonest and straightforward manner. Be suspicious
high price this agent will come back to you andof agents who just tell you what you want to
suggest you lower the price in order to generatehear. Remember that neither you nor your agent
traffic. Unfortunately, you've lost what is usuallycan determine the price of your property. It will
the most critical time period in selling a home - thebe determined by the market. Your agent just
first few weeks immediately after it is listed.has a better chance of anticipating what the
**Don't list with a part-time agent**market price will be.
Agents who are full-time professionals have aDon't deal with and agent who spends a lot of
better feel for the market, have moreeffort trying to market additional high-priced
connections within the industry, and will generallyproducts and services? The primary service your
work harder for you. Why? Because theiragent can offer you is fairly simple: to set a
livelihood depends entirely on their ability torealistic price, and to represent you in the market
successfully and repeatedly close real estateplace. When it comes to additional services such
transactions.as special listings, and other expensive add-ons,
**Look for an agent who is aggressive aboutask yourself if these will attract prospective
getting new business**buyers and help you sell your property more
Agents who don't advertise or who are notquickly.
actively looking for business are probably talkingMany of the same questions, hesitations and
to fewer people and doing fewer deals. Agentsstrategies connected with seeking out professional
who are out in the market looking for newassistance in any field -- whether you're looking
business have their fingers on the pulse of thefor a doctor, dentist, lawyer or accountant --
market. They know what buyers are looking for,come into play when you're selecting a real estate
and how much they are willing to pay. They willagent.
also know of people who are actively looking toIt doesn't matter whether you are buying or
buy, and are dealing with more agents who haveselling. And it doesn't matter whether you respond
buyers too, so they have a better chance ofto a printed advertisement, see an agent's name
selling your home quickly.on a sign, or are referred by a friend or relative,
**Experience and productivity are important**it is important to select the right agent. In fact it
As with most professions, experience pays in realmight be worth meeting with and discussing your
estate. Experienced agents know the market andsituation with at least two different agents before
the marketing process. They are better atyou make a final decision. At the very least you
anticipating the kind of traffic you should expect,should arm yourself with some clear requirements
and will have valuable advice on how to expeditelike the ones above before making your final
your sale. In other words, an experienced agentdecision.
who is actively involved in the market has the