How to Chose a Real Estate Agent (Part II)

“Part 1” established common criteria for selecting an agent. Perhaps the most important aspect to remember is that every real estate agent is a trained and licensed professional who is required by state and federal government to maintain an annual curriculum, including ethics training.

Once you have selected a couple of choice real estate agents set-up a series of interviews during the course of one afternoon. At these meetings you should be presented with portfolio or curriculum vitae for both the individual as well as the office. Be sure to have a good look at how they market their listings and what target media they plan to advertise in that is specific to your property. Remember, you are employing them. They are not employing you.

During your meetings be sure to set your expectations with the knowledge you have learned previously. If there are points about the business that you are fumbling with, be sure to ask for detailed explanations. This is an important decision in your life and you deserve to know every aspect of what is going on. No question is a stupid question.

As a process goes, real estate is quite complicated. Be sure to ask your agents to explain their own specific process and what they do to stay on top of a transaction and a listing. If there are computer processes this person uses then be sure to have them explained to you in detail so there are no surprises later. Also, be sure the agent has a back-up plan in case of catastrophic computer failure. Carbon copies are still used to a very wide degree even today.

Don’t rely on emails alone. Your agent should have a number of different methods of contacting you during your listing and during any stage of a transaction. Be sure to get your agent’s cell phone number and home number if necessary. Find out how this person expects to contact you during your business relationship. This will also assist you with your expectations of their performance.

Ask for references of past clients (buyers and sellers). When it comes to agency be sure to ask about representation. If the agent is working as a dual agent, how do they split hairs to be sure your needs are being fairly and adequately met. Don’t be afraid to work in an exclusive agency arrangement with your agent but also don’t limit the agency from marketing to both buyer and seller agents in the Multiple Listing Service. This will increase your probability for success and guarantee you get undivided attention.

Ask about what this agent expects to do about unsold listings in their inventory. Why haven’t they sold? What are the marketing challenges to these listings? How might your property or needs compare? Remember that the real estate market is a very fluid industry. It isn’t always the agent’s fault a listing is overpriced or undesirable.

Finally, be sure you get a full and complete market analysis. This free-of-charge document should contain a thoughtful blend of sold property statistics that compare directly to your needs. All points of comparison should be explained to you in complete detail and in plain English. Success often arrives simply by having an agent that you can see eye-to-eye with, who is excited about working for you and is a straight shooter. Searching out the right agent makes searching out the right home or buyer for a home that much easier.

Kevin Nordahl is a life-long resident of Door County, a REALTORŪ and a member of the Door County MLS. He is a Past President of the Door County Board of REALTORS® and a Senior Sales Consultant at Coldwell Banker Door County Horizons in Fish Creek. He may be reached online at knordahl@doorcountyrealestate.com or by phone at (920) 493-4004.

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