There's a common saying in the real estate industry regarding the vast number of agents in the business: "If you don't have any friends who are agents, then you probably don't have any friends at all."
With so many agent out there, how can you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, neighbor or coworker? Should you work with an agent at a large firm, a small firm, a franchise or an independent? While there's an exception to every rule, and every marketplace has its own nuances, here are some solid rules to apply when you want the best representation to protect your interests.
Demand Experience
Always look for an agent with at least two years of experience. Anyone still in the business after two years has probably learned at least the fundamentals of real estate.
Look for Commitment
Another problem we have in the industry is a large number of part-time and recreational salespeople. No matter how long they have been in real estate, their lack of full-time commitment makes it impossible for them to keep up with the vast changes in law, marketing, and business practices that are occurring in the profession today. If an agent isn't working at least thirty hours a week, fifty weeks a year, look for someone else.
Consider Education
In the majority of states, the requirements for real estate licensing is substantially less than those for cutting hair. You cannot rely on licensing to indicate competence. And, unfortunately, many agents real estate education ends with their pre-license education.
Look for agents who have increased their education through advanced educational programs.
Conduct Interviews
Before you hire an agent to help you buy or sell a home, you should interview at least three agents in person. In order to do this, first get recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. Then look on the web, in homes magazines and the local newspaper to see what kind of marketing the various companies are doing in your area and call a few that impress you. The interview itself need not be a formal one. It is simply an opportunity for you to meet the candidate and explain your needs; and, to determine whether you would be comfortable working with them.
The decision
If you follow the suggestions above, you will find that there are excellent agents working for firms both large and small; both franchised and independent. Thus, the real decision must be made based on the competency of the individual agent you will be working with on a day-to-day basis.
With so many agent out there, how can you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, neighbor or coworker? Should you work with an agent at a large firm, a small firm, a franchise or an independent? While there's an exception to every rule, and every marketplace has its own nuances, here are some solid rules to apply when you want the best representation to protect your interests.
Demand Experience
Always look for an agent with at least two years of experience. Anyone still in the business after two years has probably learned at least the fundamentals of real estate.
Look for Commitment
Another problem we have in the industry is a large number of part-time and recreational salespeople. No matter how long they have been in real estate, their lack of full-time commitment makes it impossible for them to keep up with the vast changes in law, marketing, and business practices that are occurring in the profession today. If an agent isn't working at least thirty hours a week, fifty weeks a year, look for someone else.
Consider Education
In the majority of states, the requirements for real estate licensing is substantially less than those for cutting hair. You cannot rely on licensing to indicate competence. And, unfortunately, many agents real estate education ends with their pre-license education.
Look for agents who have increased their education through advanced educational programs.
Conduct Interviews
Before you hire an agent to help you buy or sell a home, you should interview at least three agents in person. In order to do this, first get recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. Then look on the web, in homes magazines and the local newspaper to see what kind of marketing the various companies are doing in your area and call a few that impress you. The interview itself need not be a formal one. It is simply an opportunity for you to meet the candidate and explain your needs; and, to determine whether you would be comfortable working with them.
The decision
If you follow the suggestions above, you will find that there are excellent agents working for firms both large and small; both franchised and independent. Thus, the real decision must be made based on the competency of the individual agent you will be working with on a day-to-day basis.
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