Finding The Right Realtor Or Broker

Whether you are buying or selling a home, choosing the right Real Estate Agent or Broker can and WILL make all the difference. Being that we are more qualified to speak on moving related subjects, we reached out to a few Realtors and Brokers on Trulia.com to get some insights on the best tips and practices that should be used when choosing a Realtor. We received responses from Real Estate Agents from across the country. We are grateful for each response, have learned quite a deal and believe you will too.

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Barry K. Stewart, Agent, Carthage, NY 

Does the realtor listen more than they talk? Simple but worth saying. If the realtor is talking all the time they probably aren’t focused on your needs and wants.

(For buyers) Is the realtor showing you all the properties that fit your criteria or only ones listed by either him or her or their company? Realtors, myself included, like being on “both sides” of the transaction because it puts more money in our pockets. Having said that, realtors have an obligation to find you the house that makes you the happiest regardless of who has it listed. Sadly, this is not always the case. If you find your agent only showing his her properties (or only from their company) or you find that every time you mention a house listed by another company you are told that it is sold, under contract, or there some other reason you “don’t want to look at that property,” you should probably run.

(For buyers) Is your realtor using high pressure sales techniques? You are already looking to buy a home. You don’t need to be “sold” and you certainly don’t need to be rushed. This a huge decision and you need to be shown the best options, given honest information, and then given the time and space to think things through.

Ask your agent to show you proof of how many homes they have sold in the past year. If they have very few sales, that does not automatically mean that they are a bad agent (just as lots of sales does not automatically mean that they are a good agent or the right agent for you) but it is an indicator that you need to investigate further. If they are a part-time agent with another full-time job they may not be as flexible as they need to be to show you houses (if you are buying). If you are a seller, other agents may have difficulty reaching your agent in order to schedule a showing. There is an old saying that goes, “If you need something done, ask a busy person.” You want an agent that knows how to make things happen. Hope is not a method.

Website: http://homesbybarrystewart.com/

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Sally Grenier, Broker, Thornton, CO

I agree with Barry about finding an agent who will actually LISTEN to the client. First, I think buyers & sellers should ask about a Realtor’s area of expertise (including geography, type of property, and type of client).

For example: Geography: Are you an expert in a certain neighborhood, town or suburb? Buyers focused on a specific area will want an agent who knows that area well. For example, I’m primarily focused on the N. Denver Metro area. Sometimes buyers will ask me about Highlands Ranch, and I am honest with them and say “that’s not my area of expertise. I’d be happy to show you houses there, or I can refer you to an agent who is more familiar with that area.”

Types of Properties: Do you specialize in single family homes? Condos? Farm or ranch properties? Fixer uppers? Each one has it’s own things you want to look for.

Types of Clients: Do you work primarily with First Time Buyers? Retirees? Relocation Buyers? Clients who are “moving up” or “downsizing”? Each situation is different.

Second – Consider the Realtor’s personality and “sales style”. As Barry said some agents are very “high pressure”, which really isn’t necessary in this business. Buyers are already to buy. They don’t need to be “sold” on something. (actually, some do which I’ll get to in a moment). I am not that type of Realtor. My job is to listen to the clients’ wants & needs, find properties that would work for them, and then get the transaction closed.

I was actually “fired” recently by some buyers who thought I wasn’t “aggressive enough” and who were used to “agents who tried to up-sell” them! Seriously?! Some buyers are super easy and flexible to work with, and may find the right house after looking at 5 homes. Others are more “finicky” and have to look at a hundred houses before they “settle” on one. While I would love to try and “sell” these people on a home after about the 50th house, I don’t. It is up to the buyers to decide when they have found “the one”. My job is to be patient, and listen to their wants and needs and find the right house, even if it means looking at 100 of them.

Third – Years of experience. You want an agent who knows his/her way around a contract and has a proven track record of getting transactions closed. BUT…years of experience isn’t everything. I’m a relative “new” agent (5+ years) and I run across plenty of “experienced” agents who don’t know how to write a contract, or who miss things on the contract that will negatively impact their client. You want someone who is competent and who is going to be looking out for your best interests at all times.

Finally — and this one is key — I think references and referrals are a great way to find the right Realtor. I’ve had clients contact me solely on my references, or who were referred to me by friends, family and past clients. This business is more than just about buying & selling real estate. It’s about developing relationships. You want to find someone who you LIKE, who you can TRUST and who you’re going to have a good working relationship with.

Blog: http://www.boulderhousesearch.com
Metro Brokers: http://www.metrobrokersonline.com/agents/Sally.Grenier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrenierRealEstate
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sallygrenier

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Nikki Reed, Agent, Virginia Beach, VA

Find a realtor who will answer the phone and/or call back quickly, send you info on properties daily, and will schedule home showings within a day or two.

If they can’t do all of those three things, odds are, they aren’t taking the job seriously or just aren’t available enough to be effective.

Website: http://Realtornikkireed.com

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Fern Malka, Broker, Englewood, NJ

Get referrals, search for recommendations.

It is important to be accessible to your clients, via phone, text or email. I have marketing ideas that may be of interest to you. I listen to your goals. My goal is to help buyers and sellers achieve their goal, in the most seamless way possible.

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Orion Partners, Broker, Mountain View, CA

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find out about good agents in your area,

but to ensure the referral is a good fit for you I’d suggest looking at the agent’s website and reviews (e.g. Yelp) as well. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few good candidates, I strongly suggest meeting each of them in person to make sure you would feel comfortable working with them. In the very competitive San Francisco Bay Area, you need to have confidence that your Realtor has strong analytic and negotiating skills to deal with multiple offers, so doing due diligence up front can really increase your likelihood of success.

Website: http://www.opartners.com

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Kim Loveland, Broker, Oscoda, MI

First look for an agent that is experienced, knows the market and is full-time.

Nothing more important than an agent that knows the market and cares about your needs as well as is able to solve all the little problems/glitches involved in such an important transaction.

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Dolores Person, Broker, Newburyport, MA

It’s always good as a seller to see what listings and sales a realtor has in the area that your home is in.

For buyer, local market knowledge and experience is essential. You’ll want to interview your agent and be certain that not only they are knowledgeable but that you like them. Crazy, but feeling comfortable and trusting an agent will make the process much less stressful.

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Pat Settar, Agent, Mullica Hill, NJ

Working with the right realtor is the most important step in the home buying/selling process.

Often buyers may call just any agent to just get in a property. Sellers know to interview realtors to decide on the right one to hire. Buyers really need to research and interview as well. A good experienced realtor will make all the difference! Negotiating the purchase price is only the beginning, protecting your clients interest, muddling through inspections, lenders and local knowledge are just as important as finding the right home!

Website: http://PatSettar.com

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Stephanie Lazar, Agent, Akron, OH

Be sure you interview Agents.

Yes, it is important to have someone working for you that knows the area and the market. But that is not all. As a Seller or a Buyer, you will be working with the Agent you chose for months. You want to find a Realtor who you feel comfortable with and will enjoy working with. We all want the home buying and selling process to go as smooth as possible but that does not always happen. There will be bumps in the road but having someone you trust will make the experience so much easier and less stressful for you.

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Cecilia Sherrard, Agent, Lakewood, OH

Finding the right Realtor is definitely worth the interviewing process. They are not all created equal.

New agents shouldn’t necessarily be overlooked. Many new agents are hungry, fresh and ready to WORK and prove themselves. They often don’t have 20 listings and 20 phone calls a day, so they can dedicate time to you and the sale or purchase of your home.

There’s definitely something to an experienced agent as well. They will know how to negotiate, know how to trouble shoot and deal with problems if they come up.

An experienced agent will be able to assist with financing issues, title, insurance, inspections, etc.

I think it’s a happy medium. Finding the right agent that has the time to dedicate and the knowledge and experience to be creative and strong if times call for them.

Ask lots of questions and trust your gut. Get to know the agent and how they work, market and what to expect from them. Honesty and communication is key. Be upfront with what you need and what they can do. Discuss realistic goals and not just the initial fluff involved with sales. Have them lay out a plan for 1, 2, 3 and 4 months. Find out how they market and what their company can do for you.

Ask them about commission splits. How much will they give a buyer’s agent? Do they recommend bonuses? Make sure they know your local market and what a home’s resale value could potentially be down the road.

There are a lot of factors to buying or selling a home. The right agent makes all the difference!

Website: http://www.YouShouldOwn.com/Cleveland-Real-Estate

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The Ray Team, Agent, Prescott, AZ

Find out the what the agent’s experience and customer service level is by reading past client testimonials and or ask for references to be sure its a good fit for all parties.

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Claire Richards, Broker, Exton, PA

You want a full time REALTOR or better yet a BROKER, who has the experience, knowledge and negotiating skills that will serve you best. After all, 90% of all of the transactions are done by the top 10% performers. Hire one of the best!

Tip: Go to their testimonials for references. Oftentimes these can give you that additional information you need to separate the best from the ones who lack the necessary skill set.

Website: http://www.ChesterCountyLiving.com

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Nancy Winkler, Agent, Maryville, TN

First of all, establish with your buying partner what you are looking for in an agent;

such as a good listener who has your interest at heart ( you will have to go on your gut and on reviews from past clients).

If your needs are immediate, you may not want to go with the agent who is the top producer because of the time involved with communication. This leads to the next answer, other than listening, it is important adequate , pertinent information is communicated in a timely manner, so ask them in the interview process how soon they get back ( as a general rule) to your requests.

Of course, communication is a two way street so you need to determine as much as possible your needs and let them be known , and level with your agent of any possible sharks in the water. There has to be a trust relationship and you need to like their approach to business. Usually this can be determined at the interview and by asking a few questions you have determined beforehand.

In summary, an open, honest relationship is crucial to the whole process and all parties on board will need to participate in that frame .

Thank you for reading and I do hope you make the right choices.

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Connie Martin, Agent, Gilroy, CA

Most Buyers are not aware of the many possibilities available to them, not only in the home they want but it the multitude of financing options.

Putting a buyer in the best home for them, with the best financing, is an art. It takes knowledge of the market, knowledge of financing options and most of all knowledge of what the buyer wants and NEEDS are. Why are they moving? How will this move improve their situation. A really good agent will help a buyer navigate homes, the areas of opportunity, and the right lender. A really good agent will give the buyer any and all options that are available, not just the ones that the buyer suggest. A really good agent will need to be experienced, not just in years but in transactions.

The market changes everyday. When was the last transaction the agent did? How many questions did they ask you when you meet them. Did they talk about themselves or did they find out about you and your needs. A really good agent will make all the difference in the world not just in finding a home, but more important, in CLOSING the transaction.

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Wade Eckenrod, Broker, Bay City, MI

1. Ask your lender for a few names of some local Realtors. They know who’s helping the most buyers and sellers in your market. These busy agents know the market. They will make sure that when you are buying or selling you are getting the best possible service. Interview at least 2-3 realtors from different companies.

2. If possible, find a great team to work with. You get two realtors at no extra charge. One of your agents should be available for you, if there are two of them.

3. Make sure your agent (agents) are Brokers. This assures you they have the experience and education needed to make your buying and selling experience as smooth as possible.

4. Test the agents response time. Send them a text, e-mail or voice mail and see how long it takes to respond. Sometimes a few minutes can make all the difference in the world when it comes to seeing a hot property.

Website: http://www.WeSellBayCity.com

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Alex Montelongo-Broker, Broker, Seal Beach, CA

When looking for a Realtor, Agent or Broker, I would advise the prospective client to do a little research on the Agent/Broker first.

Trulia.com is a great source of information. Any successful Agent or Broker should have an extensive profile on this website. This should be sort of a resume of their customer service, knowledge and experience. Choose your top three to interview for the job and narrow it down from there.

Focus on the Agent or Broker that has the experience and structured marketing plan. Read the recommendations, and use them as a guide to who you feel with provide you with the best overall experience.

All the best…

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Desiree Whalen, Broker, Wilmington, NC

Working mainly as a Buyers’ Agent for the last 4 years, the best strategy for finding the right Realtor to work with is interviewing them.

You may set up a traditional interview or go out with them once to see property and see if you mesh. There are enough issues that arise during a transaction, you don’t need a tempestuous broker/client relationship to make it worse.