How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent
October 26, 2010
Sometimes, it takes years and years to sell a house but there are times when it only takes a few months. People usually attribute this to luck though the truth of the matter is that the secret to a successful sale actually lies in a good real estate agent. Real estate agents hold more influence over the outcome of the sale than you think. This is why choosing the right real estate agent is actually of prime importance, even more so than staging your home to look perfect.
However, the problem is: how exactly does one go about finding a good real estate agent? The answer: definitely not by watching TV. There are so many real estate agents out there who have chosen to saturate television with cheesy ads, all claiming that they’re the best at what they do. But the thing is, the opposite is often the case. Real Estate agents with a penchant for making themselves local celebrities are often not the best choice. These agents often have too many clients and their success rate often suffers.
Your best bet would be to go online and look for listings of houses on sale and those that have already been sold. Then, look for the real estate agent who has the best ratio of unsold to sold houses. It doesn’t matter if they don’t have a lot of clients. The best real estate agents choose to take only the work load that they can handle so that they can provide the best service they can. The worst ones keep on taking jobs even if they can no longer assure quality service.
Also, it’s better if you rely on word of mouth rather than on the ads in TV or in print. These promotions are exactly what they are – promotions – and they can be very misleading. On the other hand, if you ask your family and friends whether they know of any good agents, you’re more likely to get an honest opinion.
Next, do your own research. Surf the web for customer testimonials but be wary for those that are too flowery as they might be falsified. Also, check the real estate agent’s own site and study his credentials and his portfolio. You could also try sending an email to one of the people who have been his or her client before. This will help you get a reading of how good the agent is and how reliable he can be.
Finally, find out if he calls himself a realtor or a real estate agent. Few people know that there’s a difference between the two and often use these terms interchangeably. But the truth is, there’s an organization called National Association of Realtors, and only their members can be aptly called realtors. Members of this association are bound to uphold a code of ethics that requires them to follow parameters that are tighter than that of the law’s. Your best bet would be to hire a realtor instead of a real estate agent, even if they may cost more.
301 LOCKEWOOD LN, Scotts Valley CA listed for sale by Jan Wagner & Lori Wantland, Realtors
October 1, 2010
For more information contact:
Jan Wagner & Lori Wantland, REALTORS®
(831) 423-6700
jansantacruz@cruzio.com
http://www.davidlyng.com
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