Real Estate Agent: Criteria for Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent
Andrew Stratton
October 21, 2009
Whether you are buying or selling a house, the whole process can be very stressful. The best way to alleviate this stress and save you some time is to hire a real estate agent to handle the search for the perfect house or to market your home to buyers. But, don't just go to the yellow pages to choose a professional. There are some specific criteria that you need to take into account before committing to one person or brokerage firm. Here are the three basic categories to address:
Qualifications: This includes personal as well as professional qualifications.
Make sure she is licensed and with a reputable brokerage firm.
To get her full attention, she should deal with homes in your price range. If she primarily sells homes on the high-end, she may not be inspired to give you 100%.
Find out how many years of experience she has, especially in the area you are looking. The more years, the more knowledgeable she is about the market and the area.
Choose a full-time real estate agent because she will be able to give more time to your case. A part-timer with other clients will be strapped for time to give everyone.
Do you have a rapport with her on a personal level? You don't have to be best friends, but you should like each other and definitely trust each other. The process should be conflict free and comfortable.
Marketing: This is the most important factor in selling and in finding a home.
There are some basic marketing tactics that should be standard in any agency. Giving the home an MLS number means that your house is in a data base that all other agents can look at using different criteria.
Another common method is to place the listing in the local trade magazines that are free and can be found all around town.
Make sure that your home will be placed on the broker's Web site as well. Be sure that multiple pictures of the interior and exterior of the house are included to really entice buyers.
Is she willing to hold an open house to spark interest and place an information box along with the "For Sale" sign.
Fees: How much is this all going to cost you?
What percentage of the price goes to her for commission? This is standard.
What you really want to know is will she cut her fee if she ends of representing a buyer as well or if you bring a buyer to her.
Buying or selling a home doesn't have to be a headache as long as you hire the right professional to represent your specific needs. All you have to do is keep the place clean or show up for a viewing. Let her do all the rest!
Whether you're new to dealing in Louisiana real estate, or just need some help in selling or buying a home, an expert real estate agent can give you the right advice and guidance needed. Visit http://www.realestatelouisiana.com to learn more.
Qualifications: This includes personal as well as professional qualifications.
Make sure she is licensed and with a reputable brokerage firm.
To get her full attention, she should deal with homes in your price range. If she primarily sells homes on the high-end, she may not be inspired to give you 100%.
Find out how many years of experience she has, especially in the area you are looking. The more years, the more knowledgeable she is about the market and the area.
Choose a full-time real estate agent because she will be able to give more time to your case. A part-timer with other clients will be strapped for time to give everyone.
Do you have a rapport with her on a personal level? You don't have to be best friends, but you should like each other and definitely trust each other. The process should be conflict free and comfortable.
Marketing: This is the most important factor in selling and in finding a home.
There are some basic marketing tactics that should be standard in any agency. Giving the home an MLS number means that your house is in a data base that all other agents can look at using different criteria.
Another common method is to place the listing in the local trade magazines that are free and can be found all around town.
Make sure that your home will be placed on the broker's Web site as well. Be sure that multiple pictures of the interior and exterior of the house are included to really entice buyers.
Is she willing to hold an open house to spark interest and place an information box along with the "For Sale" sign.
Fees: How much is this all going to cost you?
What percentage of the price goes to her for commission? This is standard.
What you really want to know is will she cut her fee if she ends of representing a buyer as well or if you bring a buyer to her.
Buying or selling a home doesn't have to be a headache as long as you hire the right professional to represent your specific needs. All you have to do is keep the place clean or show up for a viewing. Let her do all the rest!
Whether you're new to dealing in Louisiana real estate, or just need some help in selling or buying a home, an expert real estate agent can give you the right advice and guidance needed. Visit http://www.realestatelouisiana.com to learn more.
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