Just because your parents thought their REALTOR® was amazing when they bought 20 years ago, it doesn’t mean that REALTOR® is necessarily right for you.
1. Ask your friends who they used and why they liked them.
2. Talk to a few different agents and “talk” to them. Ask them about the market, what they specialize in, how long they have been doing this, their availability, what areas they work and so on. You want a REALTOR® that is going to be informational and helpful, giving you guidance and not just sales talk.
3. Research them online. Many sites have REALTOR® reviews now. Keep in mind, like anything, there will probably be a bad review or two from some client that no one could please, so make sure to read a few. Overall it should give you a good idea of what the REALTOR® is about.
4. Don’t jump to conclusions on how long someone has been in the business. A smart businessperson can be successful in anything, so someone might only be in the business 1-3 years, but may have jumped right in and is one of the top REALTORS® out there. The same goes for someone who has been in the business “forever.” Many longtime REALTORS® are amazing at what they do. While others are still stuck in the ways of 20 years ago. I actually worked with an agent that didn’t use email. She openly said that to me and my buyer.
5. If you are looking for a listing agent, don’t get caught up in how many listings they have. Those are all examples of properties they haven’t sold. A good listing agent should only have a handful of listings as they close the properties every few months and bring new ones on.
6. When you are checking REALTORS® out, ask if they are part of a team or if they have an assistant. You want to find out if you will be working with them, or being passed off to someone else.
7. Shopping for real estate should be a fun experience and it can take some time, so make sure you like the agent. Good luck!