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Real Estate Agent Interview Checklist – How to Interview & Choose the Best Real Estate Agent For You

Many people contact me to ask me how to choose the best Real Estate Agent. Choosing the correct Agent can be a daunting task, especially in this economy. With so many foreclosures, short sales, REOs and distressed properties in the market, it makes a potential home buyer's head spin! I have compiled a "checklist" of sorts and put it here for you, Mr. or Ms. Future Homeowner, to use when trying to decide on a Real Estate Agent.

Here is a list of questions and topics you should definitely discuss with an agent you are considering using:
As my Agent, what are the services you will provide me?

This question is meant to be open ended. That Agent sitting across from you is going to make a commission of the sale/purchase of your next home. You will want to know exactly what he or she has to offer. From a sales plan, if you are a seller to a detailed report of the area you are looking to buy in, if you are a Buyer; your Agent should be able to anticipate and address each and every one of your needs and concerns.

What is your plan of action with regard to locating a home for me to purchase?

As a Buyer, you know basically what you want.. but you do not what you do not know. That means your Agent should fill in those blanks. Your Agent should be ready and capable of doing research for you. Do you have children? Your Agent should be prepared with information on the appropriate schools in the area. Are you a jogger? Your Agent should be prepared to show you points of interest that will be in your neighborhood.

How much time will you give me?

We, as Real Estate Agents, LOVE TO TALK. More than talking, we love to talk about ourselves and what we can do. Make sure that when you are having this conversation with your prospective Agent, he/she can talk about what he/she can do FOR YOU and not what he/she has done in the PAST. You do not need to know how he/she did last year, you want to know what he/she is doing this month and how much time he/she has to devote to your needs. An Agent with 20 listings and 10 prospective buyers may not be able to give you the same level of service that an Agent with 2 listings and 2 buyers will be able to give you. Remember, you are looking for a HOME not a pair of shoes…you don't need to scrape the bottom of the bargain bin on this one!

What is the price range you propose for me?

Now this may sound odd to you. Why would you ask your Agent about price ranges when he/she has no idea about your financials. This is where the benefit of working with an Agent that is affiliated with a Broker who has a standing relationship, and in some cases even a dedicated representative, at a Direct Lender comes in handy. When you work with Agents that have outstanding working relationships with Lenders, you get the best of everything in one shot. Your Agent will be able to work with his/her representative at the Lender to make sure your pre-approval letter is ready to go when making offers. When you know how much loan you can get, you know how much home you can buy!

As a Buyer, you will not be paying your Agent, because Buyer's Agents' commissions come from the Seller's proceeds. Even so, you will still need an Agent who will be able to represent your needs accurately and efficiently, while providing you with EXCELLENT customer service. If you encounter an Agent that is not treating you well, GET RID OF HIM/HER – there are too many Agents out there who will be MORE than happy to serve you to the best of their abilities.

Mitra Karimi, President
Crestico Realty
http://www.crestico.com

Questions To Ask When You Are Interviewing And Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Many people contact me to ask me how to choose the best Real Estate Agent. Choosing the correct Agent can be a daunting task, especially in this economy. With so many foreclosures, short sales, REOs and distressed properties in the market, it makes a potential home buyer’s head spin! I have compiled a "checklist" of sorts and put it here for you, Mr. or Ms. Future Homeowner, to use when trying to decide on a Real Estate Agent.

Here is a list of questions and topics you should definitely discuss with an agent you are considering using:

As my Agent, what are the services you will provide me?

This question is meant to be open ended. That Agent sitting across from you is going to make a commission of the sale/purchase of your next home. You will want to know exactly what he or she has to offer. From a sales plan, if you are a seller to a detailed report of the area you are looking to buy in, if you are a Buyer; your Agent should be able to anticipate and address each and every one of your needs and concerns.

What is your plan of action with regard to locating a home for me to purchase?

As a Buyer, you know basically what you want.. but you do not what you do not know. That means your Agent should fill in those blanks. Your Agent should be ready and capable of doing research for you. Do you have children? Your Agent should be prepared with information on the appropriate schools in the area. Are you a jogger? Your Agent should be prepared to show you points of interest that will be in your neighborhood.

How much time will you give me?

We, as Real Estate Agents, LOVE TO TALK. More than talking, we love to talk about ourselves and what we can do. Make sure that when you are having this conversation with your prospective Agent, he/she can talk about what he/she can do FOR YOU and not what he/she has done in the PAST. You do not need to know how he/she did last year, you want to know what he/she is doing this month and how much time he/she has to devote to your needs. An Agent with 20 listings and 10 prospective buyers may not be able to give you the same level of service that an Agent with 2 listings and 2 buyers will be able to give you. Remember, you are looking for a HOME not a pair of shoes…you don’t need to scrape the bottom of the bargain bin on this one!

What is the price range you propose for me?

Now this may sound odd to you. Why would you ask your Agent about price ranges when he/she has no idea about your financials. This is where the benefit of working with an Agent that is affiliated with a Broker who has a standing relationship, and in some cases even a dedicated representative, at a Direct Lender comes in handy. When you work with Agents that have outstanding working relationships with Lenders, you get the best of everything in one shot. Your Agent will be able to work with his/her representative at the Lender to make sure your pre-approval letter is ready to go when making offers. When you know how much loan you can get, you know how much home you can buy!

As a Buyer, you will not be paying your Agent, because Buyer’s Agents’ commissions come from the Seller’s proceeds. Even so, you will still need an Agent who will be able to represent your needs accurately and efficiently, while providing you with EXCELLENT customer service. If you encounter an Agent that is not treating you well, GET RID OF HIM/HER – there are too many Agents out there who will be MORE than happy to serve you to the best of their abilities.

How To Choose The Best Real Estate Agent For You

How To Choose The Best Real Estate Agent for You

The real estate industry can be a very tricky one to navigate, especially if you are a newcomer or a first time buyer. As with any other major life decision, it always helps to have guidance and expert advice. However, finding the RIGHT person to provide this for you can seem tricky. Read on for tips on how to choose the right agent and determine if he or she is the best for you.

Finding an agent is not a difficult task, however finding a GOOD agent amongst the many agents you hear about can be a little trickier. A good place to start is with your immediate social circle. Begin by asking for recommendations from people who recently sold and/or bought a home in your area or call a realty office and the manager to recommend an agent who specializes in your type of property and community.

Once you have an agent, get to know him or her a little better, establish a trusting and honest relationship with this person, since you will be counting on him or her a lot during this process. Next, put together some information about your property, highlighting the features and best qualities, especially those that may not be obvious at first glance. Doing this with your agent will help him or her to write the best listing for your home. If you are buying, work with your agent to establish a list of qualities and features you will be seeking in a home. This way, your agent can select the most appropriate listings for you to view.

When talking to your agent, ask him or her how he/she would establish a price and what his/her plan would be for marketing your home. Ask about his/her strategies and networks and contacts. For Buyers, ask about the agent’s past experiences in the area or with the type of home you are seeking. All of this information will help you to determine whether your agent will be able to provide you the level of service and customer care that you will need.

If you are unsatisfied with the agent's plan or personality, thank the agent for taking the time to meet with you, and repeat the process with another agent. Do not "settle" for an agent. Seek out the BEST agent for you. Your agent should be pleased to work with and for you and you should not feel like you are imposing on him/her. Remember, your agent will need you to be a satisfied customer because in our industry, business grows the best through word of mouth. So make sure you have an agent that will leave a lasting and positive impression on you and anyone you may refer him/her to!

Once you are pleased with your agent and have made a final selection, make a commitment. Commit yourself to this agent and that agent will commit to you. Relationships are the most valuable commodity in this industry and sometimes they take work. Your agent is a person just like you and will do his/her best to make you happy as long as you communicate your needs to him/her clearly.