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Choosing The Right San Diego Realtor For You
hether buying or selling sale” signs, especially those
a home, it is one of the with “Sold” stuck across them.
largest financial events Note the realtor names. Also,
that happens only a few times check out real estate, display
within your life. That makes and classified advertising in
choosing a realtor just as your newspaper and local
important and a crucial decision neighborhood paper. Which
that can add to the stressful realtors have the most listings?
event or make it smoother and Which have the largest or most
easier. So, choose your realtor display ads with photos of the
as carefully as you would choose homes? Note the realtor names.
your doctor or attorney.
By now, you should have a good
The first step in choosing the list of potential realtors. It is
RIGHT realtor is to ask your time to check them out. Attend at
friends, neighbors, acquaintances least one open house for each
and business associates for realtor you are considering.
recommendations. Ask them why Observe them in action and judge
they liked the realtor, what kind their expertise. Are they
of service he/she provided, and professional — or do they come
would they use him/her again? Do across as a “used car salesman”?
not consider recommendations of How familiar is the realtor with
their relatives — it is doubtful the property he/she is selling?
that you are getting an accurate After you leave, make detailed
perspective on the realtor. notes of your observations and
how you felt about the realtor.
If you did not get several truly
exemplary recommendations, then If you only used the
drive throughout your recommendations of others, now
neighborhood and check the “for check the advertising in the
newspaper and neighborhood media presentations. Note any thoughts
for the realtors in which you are you have. Ask the following
interested. Do the drive through questions, along with any you may
of your neighborhood to see how have:
many sold signs these realtors
have. Make notes of how visible • For sellers —
these realtors are and their
marketing efforts. o How will they sell your home?
What are their marketing plans?
Next, choose your top three Are they customized to your
realtor selections. It is better listing?
if they are from different
companies, ensuring they will o How many years have they been a
work harder for your business. full-time realtor? In your area?
Call all three and set You want someone with experience,
appointments. For sellers, make who will be giving your listing
the appointment in your home and his/her full attention.
let them know you would like an
estimate of your home’s market o What is their sales record?
value. For buyers, let them know This includes their production
you would like them to determine level, rating, closed rate,
how much you can afford to pay expired rate on listings, and
for a home. Be sure they know average time listings have been
that you are meeting with two on the market before selling
other realtors and will not make within the last year.
your decision until you have met
with all three. o Are they single-proprietorship
realtors, work as a team, or part
During each interview, take of a company? What prominent
detailed notes on the realtors’ company are they associated with,
and what resources does the firm that would “show” the home
provide the realtor that helps better. For example, too much
him/her do a better job for you? furniture adds a clutter affect,
making rooms look smaller. The
o What level of technology will realtor may suggest storing some
they use to promote your listing of your furniture until after the
— web sites, virtual tours, sale.
online photo galleries, and so
on? o How did they arrive at the
results of their marketing
o What services do they provide analysis? Ask for the actual
from the time of listing your addresses of any homes they used
home to the end of the closing? for comparison.
o What are their communication • For buyers —
procedures with you from listing
through closing? o What services do they provide
from the time you contract with
o Do they provide working them through the closing?
relationships with local
inspectors, appraisers, and real o How many years have they been a
estate attorneys? full-time agent? In your area?
You want someone with experience,
o Will they help you “stage” you who will give his/her full
home for showing. This is a attention to finding you a home.
walk-through of the property,
suggesting things that should be o Are they single-proprietorship
repaired, renovated or changed to realtors, work as a team, or part
improve your pricing for the of a company? What prominent
home. It also includes things company are they associated with,
and what resources does the firm a viewing before a property is
provide the realtor that helps “officially” listed, giving your
him/her do a better job for you? first view.
o What are their communication Tell the realtors that you will
procedures with you during your make a decision and contact them
search for a home through in the next day or two.
closing?
After all interviews are
o What level of technology and completed, note the following:
research methods will they use to
locate potential homes for you to • Who gave you the most usable
view? information?
o What is their production level • For sellers, the market value
and rating? How many satisfied for your home should be in
buyers in the past 12 months? similar ranges for all three
realtors Note if someone is
o Do they provide working unusually high. They may be only
relationships with inspectors, trying to get your listing with
appraisers, title search the idea of talking your price
companies/attorneys, and real down later. Also, drive by the
estate attorneys for contracting homes they used for market value
and the closing? Can they suggest comparison. Which realtors
mortgage lenders, if you need compared apples to apples, and
one? which compared apples to oranges?
o Do they network with other • For buyers, your buying
realtors in the area? Sometimes, potential (what you can afford to
such relationships may afford you pay for a new home) should be in
the same range for all three
realtors. If a realtor is much • Which realtor seemed to be the
higher or lower than the others, best fit for you?
note this. You may even call
him/her to inquire about the Choosing a poor realtor can turn
difference and how they arrived an already stressful event into a
at the amount? nightmare with ramifications that
you must live with for years to
• Who answered your questions come. Choosing the right realtor
with genuine sincerity? can make the experience a dream
come true and a totally
• Who genuinely appeared most satisfying event. Selling or
excited about your home and its buying a home is stressful
sale? enough. Be sure you do not choose
a realtor that is going to add to
• Who truly listened, and who did that stress.
not?
About the Author:
John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit San Diego Homes for Sale
Read more articles by: J Harris
Article Source: www.iSnare.com |
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