House Hunt: How to Hire a Realtor and This Week's Open Houses

1. Designation as a Realtor: Not all real estate agents are REALTORS, and that's an important distinction. REALTORS are members of the National Association of REALTORS and have sworn to abide by its strict code of ethics. Consider this a requirement for any professional you hire to represent the sale of your home or to assist you in the purchase of a home.

2. Experience: It is wise to look for someone who has been in the real estate business a few years. And while there's nothing wrong with giving a newer REALTOR a chance, you may want to make sure he or she is working under the guidance of a more experienced mentor. Since every real estate transaction can offer different scenarios or challenges, experienced professionals will be able to guide sellers and buyers through unexpected situations. It is not recommended to hire your cousins friends mother who works full time in another profession outside of your area, but holds  license.

3. Knowledge of your neighborhood: You're not looking for America's Top Real Estate Agent, you're looking for a REALTOR who best knows your local market. Whether you are selling or buying, it's important for your REALTOR to have thorough knowledge of your specific area. It is very important to ask the professionals who provide you with the market analysis of your home to have personal comparison by having been in the homes they are using to compare to you home. A full time, experienced professional will tour dozens of homes each week to build that knowledge.

4. A Good Track Record: Many Real Estate agents list homes. More importantly, potential sellers should know how many of those listings have sold. Pricing properly and knowing their marketplace is crucial in today's environment so those agents who have not sold most of the homes they have listed, have likely not priced them properly. The list to sell ratio is very important to ask the person you hire. An agent who has a higher sale to list price of the homes they list is the result of superior negotiation skills which can amount to thousands of dollars in the closing of the sale.

5. Communication: You want an agent who listens to you. If you're buying, you don't want to waste your time looking at homes that don't meet your needs, or be encouraged to spend more than you can afford. If you're selling, you don't want to be pressured into accepting an offer you don't think is fair. The professional you work with should be someone that you feel you can have an open dialogue with since this is the most important financial transaction most of us ever experience.

6. Honesty: Honesty is an essential quality in the person helping you buy or sell what's probably your most valuable asset. Don't be drawn in by an agent who tells you only what you want to hear. You want to know that he or she will give you an honest opinion about how much your house is worth, or how much house you can get for what you want to spend.

7. References: Consider this the finale. It is recommended that you interview at least 2 real estate professionals as if you were hiring someone for a very important job. Any confident REALTOR will be proud to list their previous sales and the sellers/buyers they have worked for who can provide you with their experience and opinion of the job that the agent did for them!

Pat Walker is a top producing professional with Coldwell Banker in Trumbull, CT and can be reached at 203-545-5746 or pat.walker@cbmoves.com                                                         

THIS WEEK'S OPEN HOUSES:

• 6 Reed Lane, Shelton $539,900 Open House 1-4. Updated 4 bedroom, 3 bath Huntington Ranch., family room with woodstove, skylights & French doors to game room & deck. Possible in-law on lower level. www.JennyKelly.com
• 140 Howe Ave., Shelton $174,900 Open House 2-4. 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath Condo with garage. Eat-in kitchen with sliders to deck, c/a, laundry & storage on lower level, great commuter location. www.JoanAnderson.com
• 587 Vincellette St., Bridgeport $147,000 Open House 1-3. Second floor 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath end-unit Condo. New kitchen appliances, tile floor and bathrooms, master bedroom with walk-in closet, laundry in unit. Common charges include heat, hot water & sewer. www.JoanneCisek.com
• 73 Dakota Lane B, Stratford $179,900 Open House 1-3. 1 bedroom, 1.5 bath, 1550sf Ranch Condo. Eat-in kitchen, living room with fireplace, dining room with vaulted ceiling, 2 pools, clubhouses, golf course & social activities. 55+ community. www.JaneFerro.com
• 11 Birchwood Lane, Monroe $269,900 Open House 1-3. Tri-level, 3 bedroom home with open floor plan. Kitchen opens to living, step down to family room, lower level playroom and laundry. www.JaneFerro.com
• 12, 70 & 106 Vista View Drive, Southbury $949,999 each Open House 1-3.  3 new homes with open floor plans, 4/5 bedrooms, gourmet kitchens with top-of-the-line appliances & granite, family room with fireplace, amazing stonework and landscaping. Just move in! www.JaneFerro.com

For more listings please click www.cbmoves.com