Choosing a Realtor
Your Realtor should be someone you can trust. You may work with them for a few weeks or several months. Find an agent who is sincerely interested in helping you—no matter the type of home you're interested in.
You should interview several agents. Speak with prior clients when you can. Make sure they seem to have your best interest at heart and can be trusted to do what they say they will. You'll want an agent that is knowledgeable about current technology, such as the Internet, who can use these resources to your advantage. And, before you begin, make sure you get written, contractual performance guarantees.
Shop for a Realtor just like you shop for your home: don't be hasty and ask a lot of questions. After all, as you make this major purchase, you'll be placing a certain amount of trust in this person and their expertise to get the best home possible.
Questions to ask a Potential Realtor
- How long have you represented buyers (look for someone with at least 5 years experience)? What percentage of your personal business is from representing buyers and what percentage from representing sellers?
- Do you work part-time or full-time? (Full-time is preferable—it indicates stability and demand for his or her services.)
- How available do you make yourself? (i.e., office hours, home phone, cell phone, pager, email; real estate transactions can happen at the unlikeliest of times.)
- Do you work with "For Sale by Owner" properties? What type of help will you provide if I want to see one?
- Will you be able to recommend reputable home inspectors, insurance agents, lenders, and attorneys as needed?
- How will you protect my interests and help me save money?
- Can you provide me with the names and phone numbers of the last three buyers you have represented in the last six months?
- What written guarantees do you offer on your service?
- Why should I hire you instead of another agent?
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