Choosing the Right San Diego
Realtor for YOU!
By: John Harris
Whether buying or selling a home, it is
one of the largest financial events that happens only a few times within
your life. That makes choosing a realtor just as important and a crucial
decision that can add to the stressful event or make it smoother and easier.
So, choose your realtor as carefully as you would choose your doctor or
attorney.
The first step in choosing the RIGHT realtor is to ask your friends,
neighbors, acquaintances and business associates for recommendations. Ask
them why they liked the realtor, what kind of service he/she provided, and
would they use him/her again? Do not consider recommendations of their
relatives — it is doubtful that you are getting an accurate perspective on
the realtor.
If you did not get several truly exemplary recommendations, then drive
throughout your neighborhood and check the “for sale” signs, especially
those with “Sold” stuck across them. Note the realtor names. Also, check out
real estate, display and classified advertising in your newspaper and local
neighborhood paper. Which realtors have the most listings? Which have the
largest or most display ads with photos of the homes? Note the realtor
names.
By now, you should have a good list of potential realtors. It is time to
check them out. Attend at least one open house for each realtor you are
considering. Observe them in action and judge their expertise. Are they
professional — or do they come across as a “used car salesman”? How familiar
is the realtor with the property he/she is selling? After you leave, make
detailed notes of your observations and how you felt about the realtor.
If you only used the recommendations of others, now check the advertising in
the newspaper and neighborhood media for the realtors in which you are
interested. Do the drive through of your neighborhood to see how many sold
signs these realtors have. Make notes of how visible these realtors are and
their marketing efforts.
Next, choose your top three realtor selections. It is better if they are
from different companies, ensuring they will work harder for your business.
Call all three and set appointments. For sellers, make the appointment in
your home and let them know you would like an estimate of your home’s market
value. For buyers, let them know you would like them to determine how much
you can afford to pay for a home. Be sure they know that you are meeting
with two other realtors and will not make your decision until you have met
with all three.
During each interview, take detailed notes on the realtors’ presentations.
Note any thoughts you have. Ask the following questions, along with any you
may have:
• For sellers —
o How will they sell your home? What are their marketing plans? Are they
customized to your listing?
o How many years have they been a full-time realtor? In your area? You want
someone with experience, who will be giving your listing his/her full
attention.
o What is their sales record? This includes their production level, rating,
closed rate, expired rate on listings, and average time listings have been
on the market before selling within the last year.
o Are they single-proprietorship realtors, work as a team, or part of a
company? What prominent company are they associated with, and what resources
does the firm provide the realtor that helps him/her do a better job for
you?
o What level of technology will they use to promote your listing — web
sites, virtual tours, online photo galleries, and so on?
o What services do they provide from the time of listing your home to the
end of the closing?
o What are their communication procedures with you from listing through
closing?
o Do they provide working relationships with local inspectors, appraisers,
and real estate attorneys?
o Will they help you “stage” you home for showing. This is a walk-through of
the property, suggesting things that should be repaired, renovated or
changed to improve your pricing for the home. It also includes things that
would “show” the home better. For example, too much furniture adds a clutter
affect, making rooms look smaller. The realtor may suggest storing some of
your furniture until after the sale.
o How did they arrive at the results of their marketing analysis? Ask for
the actual addresses of any homes they used for comparison.
• For buyers —
o What services do they provide from the time you contract with them through
the closing?
o How many years have they been a full-time agent? In your area? You want
someone with experience, who will give his/her full attention to finding you
a home.
o Are they single-proprietorship realtors, work as a team, or part of a
company? What prominent company are they associated with, and what resources
does the firm provide the realtor that helps him/her do a better job for
you?
o What are their communication procedures with you during your search for a
home through closing?
o What level of technology and research methods will they use to locate
potential homes for you to view?
o What is their production level and rating? How many satisfied buyers in
the past 12 months?
o Do they provide working relationships with inspectors, appraisers, title
search companies/attorneys, and real estate attorneys for contracting and
the closing? Can they suggest mortgage lenders, if you need one?
o Do they network with other realtors in the area? Sometimes, such
relationships may afford you a viewing before a property is “officially”
listed, giving your first view.
Tell the realtors that you will make a decision and contact them in the next
day or two.
After all interviews are completed, note the following:
• Who gave you the most usable information?
• For sellers, the market value for your home should be in similar ranges
for all three realtors Note if someone is unusually high. They may be only
trying to get your listing with the idea of talking your price down later.
Also, drive by the homes they used for market value comparison. Which
realtors compared apples to apples, and which compared apples to oranges?
• For buyers, your buying potential (what you can afford to pay for a new
home) should be in the same range for all three realtors. If a realtor is
much higher or lower than the others, note this. You may even call him/her
to inquire about the difference and how they arrived at the amount?
• Who answered your questions with genuine sincerity?
• Who genuinely appeared most excited about your home and its sale?
• Who truly listened, and who did not?
• Which realtor seemed to be the best fit for you?
Choosing a poor realtor can turn an already stressful event into a nightmare
with ramifications that you must live with for years to come. Choosing the
right realtor can make the experience a dream come true and a totally
satisfying event. Selling or buying a home is stressful enough. Be sure you
do not choose a realtor that is going to add to that stress.
About The Author
John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as
economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying
preparations. For more on San Diego Homes for Sale visit
http://www.twtrealestate.com
[Internet-Marketing-One.Com]
