Three Tips for Finding a Good Realtor

High school was a great learning experience for me because I learned how to trust my gut. High school is the first time you get to choose which teachers you have for each class. I soon found those that I enjoyed I learned a lot from, and those I endured didn't learn much from. By my senior year walking out of a class after the first day and heading to the counseling center to re-schedule wasn't a big deal. I wasn't intimidated and didn't make excuses...if I didn't like a teacher on the first day, it wasn't going to get any better.

Searching for a real estate agent is similar to finding a good teacher. You want to find someone who will teach you the ropes and who you can trust to give you good information. After all, a home purchase is statistically the biggest purchase you will ever make. This video makes a humorous point about intimidation when it comes to real estate agents but unfortunately some agents still use these tactics... Professionals Teach -

My attitude has always been to get the information to my clients in order for them to make an intelligent decision. The Realtors Code of Ethics requires that I offer my clients the utmost in service, and intimidation shouldn't be part of the package. If you feel uneasy or that your requests are not being heard, find another agent who will take the time necessary to help you find your home. Referrals are a good start but don't stop there. Interview at least three agents and get an idea of their approach. Some agents don't work weekends, and others only work business hours, so if you want to go shopping after work, or need to list your house after dinner, you're out of luck.

One of my clients purchased a house from me a few years ago, sight unseen. He worked for the government and had only one week to find a home. The market was hot and my client put in three offers before he left to go back to his job but none of them panned out. He had used up all his vacation time and decided to trust me to find him a home. He said he felt he could trust me because while we were previewing homes he heard me comment on everything he was concerned about. If the house was located on a busy street, I commented on that. If the house had a smaller than average master bedroom, then I commented on that. I didn't ignore the obvious, nor did I pressure him into making a decision...I simply gave him the information and let him decide. He found he could trust my information and that enabled him to find a home that he eventually re-sold at a tidy profit.

So to bring it all together trust your gut. If the agent seems to be something other than what they appear, you'll probably find proof to support your intuition once you get to know them, so don't waste your time. Secondly, make sure they listen to you. If you say you only want to see single story homes and they show you two stories, then realize they are not looking out for your best interests. And finally, if you feel pressured into a purchase and don't feel you have enough information don't be afraid to ask for more. If the agent counters with more pressure then you know he is only looking to make a sale. Remember this is a decision that you only make about once every seven years, so enjoy the process. A good agent removes the pressure and intimidation from the process...they don't create it.

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