by Angela Brown

Created on: October 28, 2008

Choosing a Real Estate Agent

You're thinking of selling your current home, or buying a new one. Your local real estate classifieds are packed with ads for agents in your area. So how do you decide which agent is best for you?

1. Choose a professional. Realtors belong to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Members must follow NAR's standards of ethics and practice, which are higher than ordinary business practices or those required by law. NOTE: Less than HALF of all licensees are bona fide Realtors, so when in doubt, ask!

2. Ask around. Find out who your friends and relatives have used in the past and what their experience was with the agent. Was the agent a good listener? Did he or she spend time asking about their needs? Did they take them to see relevant properties, or did it feel like a "wild goose chase"? Did the transaction and closing go smoothly? If an agent has done their job and provided great service, people will be happy to sing their praises.

3. Go to open houses. You can see the agent "in action" and get a feel for their personality and work ethic. Pay attention to how the agent shows the home. Do you like their style? Do you think it's effective? Take business cards from all of the agents you visit, and make notes about them as you go.

4. Go online! Upwards of 70% of home shoppers consult the internet first. Google real estate offices in your area. Visit their web sites and agent profiles. Look for customer testimonials. Call and ask questions. Look for sites that provide testimonials from satisfied customers.

5. Look for results. Just because an agent has nine listings in your neighborhood does not necessarily mean they are the best agent for you. How many of those listings have actually SOLD? How long did they take to sell? What are their bottom-line numbers for the month? The year? Don't be afraid to ask.

6. Interview the agents! Ask lots of questions about their experience, their familiarity with your area of interest, their availability, their ethics or mission statement, etc. How will they market your home? How will they help you find a new one? Do they strike you as professional? Knowledgeable? Patient?

Remember, the best agent for you may not necessarily be the one with the highest sales volume, or the most listings for the year. Sometimes it's just someone who will listen to you, someone you connect with on a personal level that will give you the level of professionalism and service you deserve.

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