Choosing A Realtor-What Not To Do
Even though you know it is "just a piece of property," when it comes to a home transaction, it's amazing how emotionally charged the decisions can become. Often, people on either end of the equation-buyers and sellers-end up making hasty or impulsive decisions based on emotion rather than practical issues. That's why it is important to have the right person working on your behalf as a real estate agent or realtor. In choosing that individual, there are some mindsets and choices that will probably not be to your advantage and are best resolved beforehand.
My Buddy's An Agent
Because your best friend happens to be in real estate, it does not necessarily mean that person is the best choice for your listing. Having the right credentials is an important facet of the process, and, if you are considering the services of your friend, s/he should understand that you are making a business decision and should be willing to be "in the running" for the listing. Another consideration would be the potential stress on your relationship. Sometimes having a friend work for you is not such a great idea.
You're Stuck
The presentation may look great and you may be inclined to sign on the dotted line right away, but wisdom dictates that you look at a variety of real estate presentations before you commit to any one agent. When you do commit, you are usually locked into the agreement for a few months, which means that if you are dissatisfied, you are stuck until the contract runs out.
Who's Really Benefitting?
"Buying a listing" is not uncommon in the real estate world. What that phrase means is that the agent will tell you whatever you want to hear-even if you are making some unwise decisions about your property. It may get the listing, but in terms of selling your house at the highest price possible, it is very short-sighted and selfish on the part of the agent. If your agent agrees with your selling price, even though it is too high and unrealistic, then after all of the other agents have done the tour of the house, they won't even bother presenting the property because it is priced out of range. When you end up dropping the price of the house to make it salable, it's old news and suspect, and nobody is interested. Or, you may sell it, but for far less than you could have gotten if your agent had been more interested in integrity and less in getting a listing.
I'm A Great Judge Of Character
Trusting your gut in some decisions is the best possible thing. However, when it comes to finding a real estate agent, snap judgment is not the way to make the decision. Check references, and especially follow up on recent sales to find out how clients feel about the way the agent worked for them. Also, the length of time an agent has been selling may not be a good gauge either. Some agents who have been selling for years lose their "oomph" while new agents are full of enthusiasm and can often do a great job for you.
Kind Of Like Marriage
There are many considerations before taking on an agent, including knowing something of the agency s/he works with. It's kind of like marriage. You may marry the person, but you get the family in the package. It's the same with the agent/agency package. While there are some very effective agents who work on their own, or with a small agency and do a great job, enlisting an agent from a large company gives you a lot of advantages in terms of availability of help and lots of exposure through different agents. Additionally, agents who work for larger firms are often given the advantage of having on-going education, making their expertise relevant and useful.
