Choosing a Real Estate Agent - 10 Things You Must Know

Hiring a real estate agent to market and sell yourdon't work with someone who isn't confident
home is an extremely important decision. Forabout their own estimates.
most people, your home is your primary asset -4. Make sure your agent addresses exactly how
you need to choose the best real estate agentthey will market your home. A good agent
available to help you protect the equity you havedoesn't rely on just one or two areas to market
built in your investment. Buyers have an equallyyour home. You need an agent who gives your
important decision to make. Your real estatehome the greatest exposure in as many areas as
agent has access to the information on your nextpossible. This is one of the biggest services your
dream home - you need to rely on them to findagent can provide. Any agents who skimp on
you exactly the types of homes you're interestedmarketing or try to explain why certain marketing
in. The tough part is, there are literally millions ofavenues aren't important are trying to pull a fast
real estate agents out there to choose from.one. Marketing costs money - many agents would
How do you pick the right one? During yourrather put that money in their pocket and try to
interview with an agent, you should keep theconvince you that it isn't needed. But if they
following 10 tips in mind:aren't marketing your home, what are you paying
1. Pay attention to way the agent acts on yourfor? Your home on the MLS, a sign in the yard
first meeting. Dress, body language, confidence -and the hope that someone will eventually buy it?
these are all tell-tale signs that will tip you off asMake sure to choose an agent that offers you
to how serious and experienced they are. Let'sthe service and marketing your home needs to
face it, real estate is a business - you want tosell.
hire an agent that will treat your greatest5. Watch out for sales gimmicks. Agents who
possession with the respect it deserves. Dress ishave to rely on tricks to gain business such as "I'll
a big indicator - a shirt and tie should be minimumbuy your home if it doesn't sell", "Your home sold
dress requirements for a first meeting with ain 30 days or I'll sell it for free" and other similar
client, if not a full suit or formal dress for aprograms usually don't explain the fine print very
woman. Any agent that dresses down for yourcarefully. The bottom line is - would you rather
appointment might not be taking their jobwork with a REALTOR who is focused on doing
seriously enough and probably isn't someone youbusiness with you and selling your home the right
want to hire to market your home. Also payway or one who tries to hook you with one of
attention to body language and confidence - doesthese programs which, in the end, is the last thing
the agent seem at ease in front of you or doyou want to happen?
they seem nervous? Is their presentation smooth6. Does the agent make full use of current
or fraught with hesitation and questions theytechnology in their business? An agent who isn't
weren't able to answer? Does the agent seemon top of current technology such as internet
difficult to talk with or not willing to explain detailsmarketing and e-mail correspondence might be
to you? You are looking for an agent who givesmissing a large portion of potential buyers. It's also
you the respect you deserve by dressing for thea bad sign that the agent isn't willing to adapt to
occasion, is knowledgeable and at ease speakingcurrent business practices.
with you (a potential client), will take the time to7. Is the agent familiar with the local market and
answer your questions honestly and acts like theycurrent industry trends? Are they honest in
have done many such interviews in the past.assessing market conditions and how this affects
2. How did the agent follow up with you whenyour current buying or selling situation? We are in
you contacted them? How long did it take?a buyers market right now - inventory is high and
Usually agents who are serious about the businesshomes require more time to sell and more
should return your contact request within 24aggressive marketing. Is the agent trying to gloss
hours. If the agent you are interviewing tookover these details or view them with rose-colored
longer than 72 hours to respond, you might wantglasses?
to seek an agent who is better about follow-up.8. What type of guarantees does the agent
3. Beware of agents who ask you this question:provide? If you are unhappy with the service you
"So, how much do you think your home isare being provided, are you able cancel your listing
worth?" An experienced agent should tell youor buyer agency agreement without penalty?
what your home is worth and stand by thatGood agents will give you a guarantee of services
figure based on a strong analysis of sales data forand some may even allow you to terminate the
comparable properties. That's one of the reasonslisting or buyer agency agreement without penalty
you are paying your agent, isn't it? Any agentif you are not provided with the services you are
who asks you what you feel your home is worthpromised.
before they give you a figure is looking to use9. How focused is your agent on customer
that figure against you. If you think it's worth lessservice? It should be a top priority. You should
than the sales range the agent alreadylook for an agent who is willing to keep you
determined, the agent might take your listing atregularly informed about all aspects of the buying
the lower amount to sell it fast, maybe costingor selling process.
you thousands of dollars. If you think it is worth10. When will the services that the agent is
more, the agent might simply agree with you tooffering to provide be delivered? A Virtual Tour is
gain the listing and cost you months of time whilea great tool, but if it takes the agent a month to
your home sits on the market un-sold beforeproduce it, it's not doing you any good for that
eventually having to lower the price. Youfirst month when you can expect your most
eventually determine the listing price of youractivity? For buyers, when can you expect the
home. However, home pricing is one of the mostagent to show you your first homes?
important pieces of advice your agent can give -