Selecting an Agent

The criteria you use to select an agent is as individual as choosing your doctor, lawyer, or even your friends. The level of professionalism in the industry has increased dramatically since I've been in the business but you still need to be picky. There are some basics to judge unknown agents by. Here's some of the important ones:

Honesty - maybe the most important; make sure it goes both ways

Experience - make sure that the agent has had enough transactions to know what they are doing

Reputable company - unless you know the owner or agent personally stay away from 'Joe's Real Estate & Bait Shop'

Ease of communication - if you just don't 'click' with the agent during initial meetings its best to move on

Knowledge of market - don't expect an agent to know every street or house in the area or all the local gossip, but they should know their way around and in general what homes are like in your neighborhood

Use of technology - today's top agents use technology any way possible to help you find the right home and get the transaction to closing

Strong Marketing Program - this doesn't mean the agent who spends the most money on advertising. It means: finding out who handles the phone calls? Where will my home be exposed to buyers? An Internet website that can be found? What about a toll-free information number?

These are just the basics and you may have your own ideas. Notice that I don't put a lot of stock into "Top Producer", "Biggest", "Top 1%", "#1 Agent to Sell on Jones Street", etc. If those claims are true - and they can actually prove them - they're real busy so when will they have time to deal with you? Also, if they have one or more assistants will you actually be working with the agent or always relegated to those assistants? Go with your instincts; you're probably right. Remember, from your initial meeting with an agent until you move out of your home could be a span of several months. You will get to know your agent (and them know you!) quite thoroughly by the time you're done.

Find the right agent for your needs, and as long as they are doing the job for you stick with them. This develops a bond between you and the agent which results in you getting the best service possible, assures the agent will be compensated properly for their efforts, and can create a long term professional, perhaps personal, relationship beneficial to both of you.