How To Choose a Realtor

This is a question I get asked a lot, and one I had before I became a real estate broker. It’s important, because for most of us our homes may be our greatest asset.

I was actually told by a home owner that he picked his agent because she was cute. OK, maybe that worked for him but is that the best way? I heard of another home owner that stopped into an open house at a condo on the east side of town and then asked the agent (less than six months in the business) if she would list his $2 million property over on the coastal side of Orange County. Good for her! I guess after I sold my first 50 homes it finally began to dawn on me how much I didn’t know.

Realtors, like other small business owners, have to be multi-talented. Lots of good skills are required, including people skills, counseling, accounting, appraisal, marketing, internet savvy and contract proficiency. Listing agents require somewhat different skills to do their job than buyers’ agents.

I have always told my agent mentorees that there are two important qualities of an agent that the client will need to be comfortable with: the personal and the professional. The personal side of any trusted advisor must be something that you the client are comfortable with. After all, you will be seeing a lot of your listing agent. A real estate agent that you know personally is often considered because you know something of their character. You may have known them in another context and because of that you trust the agent. This is critical. Of course, you want to know he or she has your best interest at heart, but will he or she have the fortitude to tell you what you really need to do to accomplish your goals?

The other important quality is the professional, which is measured by years in the business, how many homes sold, the types of sales the agent has handled, internet savvy, listening skills, marketing experience, contract knowledge, negotiation skills, area or neighborhood knowledge, team or staff help and last, but not least, reputation in the community.

Ultimately the professional agent is a coach to help you accomplish what you really want to do so be straightforward and honest with your agent so he or she can advise you properly. Then listen to the professional.