Hat tip to Ann Douglas who sent in these 10 tips:
http://blog.doorfly.com/articles/2011/10-tips-for-choosing-the-right-realtor-to-find-a-home/
Here are additional thoughts:
11. Check for experience.
An easy way is to look at their license number, which is now on every agent’s card. My personal rule of thumb is Klinge Realty’s corporate license number 01388871, from June, 2003. Because the license numbers are issued sequentially, I know that anyone who has a lower number has been licensed for eight or more years.
12. Ask the agent to provide you with a written MLS list of their recent sales.
You can decide for yourself whether their experience suits you needs. My rule-of-thumb is that a realtor who has re-calibrated to the new market is closing at least a sale per month, or 12 per year.
13. They know where the deals are.
A good buyer’s agent should at least be able to name a couple of good buys in the area. Closed sales are OK. If they mention active listings, then even better because they keep up on the current available inventory, and if they can name sales that they’ve closed recently that impress you, oh happy day.
14. They can pinpoint the value of a home.
You want to work with an agent who knows at least as much as you do.
15. They know the approximate costs of repairs.
If they can recite examples they have been involved with recently, great, and if they know vendors for quotes it will be very helpful.
16. They assist you with how much to offer.
If the agent says, “How much to offer is up to you”, just move on. That is weak.
17. They have specific negotiating strategies.
How they handle the presenting of your offer, and being able to predict the next couple of moves, creates a logical path to the finish line.
18. They know financing.
Getting yourself pre-qualified is easy, but some properties don’t qualify (condos, etc.). Plus knowing the steps to the finish line and helping the loan rep get there, avoids delays.
19. They have testimonials on their spiffy website.
Sure it could all be family members, but better than nothing.
20. They talk you out of buying.
They are able to point out the reasons why you shouldn’t buy this one.
Having a sharp, detail-oriented staff to assist with the processing of a transaction is critical too, but without a good realtor you won’t need to worry about that part yet. But if you have narrowed down the search to a few candidates, that might be a tie-breaker.
CAVEAT: These tips only apply outside SD.
Inside SD there’s only one option — JIM!!!
Trying to find one that’s not a Kocky Jerk – is a must.
One other: Find one that can work with YOUR style.
For me, I wanted a very quick responding through email one: I got all listings emailed to me within a huge range ($300K-800K in napa), and I’d do initial scanning myself, including in-person scanning.
My model was “patient but quick acting”: Its OK to take 6+ months to find a place, but when I decide to put in an offer it will be fast.
For seller’s agent, the last year’s sales tells a LOT: As I was buying I could end up telling who was good and who was bad by how their properties were priced and how well they sold.
Shoes… a good realtor wears expensive shoes.
Can you point me to a list focused on finding a selling agent?
Unfortunately, I think way too many buyers and sellers forgo the best agent because they have “a friend or relative in the business”.
Can you point me to a list focused on finding a selling agent?
You’re looking for a listing agent, or seller’s agent? This might help, one of my first videos back when I was still young and good-looking: 😉
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-9qpueJik8
If you decide to sell, I hope I’d at least get a call.
Is requesting an activity list / transaction history something that real estate agents really try not to give out?
I have always requested the real estate agent’s activity list (transaction history) for the 12 months and I have done this with a few agents. 1 had done over 40 transactions in a year (back in 2007) and was very willing to give me his list.
The other two felt it was invasive and were reluctant but conceded in the end. One of them had 6 transactions in the prior year, all in Carmel Valley, not too bad since I was looking in CV although not the most impressive list for a few reasons). I was surprised she was reluctant because there are certainly worse even though she wasn’t super impressive. The last guy was just plain horrible (4 transactions that were not a good match for what I was buying even though he originally claimed he had all this experience as far as the price point and type of property I was purchasing).
I’d love to know why anyone in SD and frequenting bubbleinfo has subsequently hired someone other than Jim.
I evaluated these realtors in 2007 prior to seeing Jim.
4.Shoes… a good realtor wears expensive shoes.
I like it, but more important is having clean shoes.
People don’t need flashy rich, just show them some respect.
If you’re suspicious of agents in hawaiian shirts, big baggy shorts, hats, and flip-flops, I don’t blame you. I’m suspicious too!
(Except for DH)