Thread: Real Estate Agent Checklist

# Hand selected
Look for agents that are selected and referred to you by the web site. --How is a prospective client/buyer/seller from the other part of world or U.S. (not someone from the area), going to even know if the agent selected by the broker is really who they want? Trust? There's not a lot of that going around. In my experience, sellers want to know just three things: "How soon can you sell my house" "How much money am I going to make?" And "What's your commission?" That's all. Buyers want to know how much they can save (taxes, closing costs, house insurance) and how greedy the seller is.

Beware of sites that have computer generated agents that pop up when your city is selected. -Why? They might just be the agent they're looking for. Agents pay a premium for to have their picture pop-up when someone lands on their listing or on some "city" site. That agent just may be the one they're looking for.

# Experience
Only deal with agents who have a vast amount of experience. It is recommended that agents have closed at least 25 transactions to even be considered as a candidate. -Most offices small and large especially, assign a newbie to a career coach: they don't leave newbies hanging in the wind to fend for themselves. -this doesn't make financial or business sense. Technically speaking, the Career Coach AND the agent will be servicing the client. There is nothing wrong with this. The client will get two agents for the price of one. The new agent can take out the client as easily as the veteran. They can do the hump work as we say in the electrical field. When it comes to the contract, the veteran will walk the client through it with the new agent at their side: To learn. Prospects shouldn't discount new people just because they're new. They're also HUNGRY.

# Non Discounted
The best agents have experience, education, honesty, networking skills, negotiation skills, communication skills and don't need to discount their services. -Most won't and shouldn't. Discounting your services shows the client the agent isn't sure of themselves and probably has a low self-esteem. Bad idea.

# Professional
Be sure the real estate agent is professional in their services and able to work with you in a friendly manner. -This will depend greatly on the prospect's attitude from the onset. No agent, new or veteran, will tolerate an attitude. You know what I'm talking about. The lady of the house gets that puss on her face the moment she walks through the door with her husband in tow. As if to say "I don't trust you, I don't want to know you, I just want to sell my house for X amount and I don't care what your CMA says". 80% of prospects are like this. Yes, they are. The funny part about these prospects is: they think we don't anticipate their attitude. They're wrong.

CM

great information, thanks

Thanks waterfront and christopher...

Deciding or selecting real estate agent is not an easy task. But by this post atleast one can identify that how to choose the agent or which things should be considered while choosing real estate agent.

You both had explained it very nicely. It will be really helpful to those who are looking for real estate agent.

well put chris, thanks for the secondary responses to the original post. You told the poster how to do it right!

Or course, if everyone followed guideline #2 (experience) then new agents would never get any clients. Experience is good, but new, inexperienced agents, working under an experienced broker, can be good as well. They may be hungrier for business.

Yes amster,

You are absolutely right..!! If everybody will prefer experienced agent then what will do the fresher or beginners?

But at the same time everybody wants the best. And according to me experience and professionalism is the most important thing that one should consider while choosing the real estate agent.

Hello friends,

Here are few more things about real estate agent.

# A client will always appreciate honesty and integrity in a real estate agent.

# Actual and practical knowledge about the real estate market and the purchasing process is another necessary quality that home buyers look for in an agent

# Communication and negotiation skills and responsiveness to your clients is also a big factor in clinching that important deal.

Hi,

Yes i do agree with this fact that the honest is the first thing that a Realtor should have.

Thanks for the information and keep updating.