Choosing a Real Estate Agent
By: Diane Tuman, Content Manager | December 5, 2007
Today’s Wiki Wednesday Feature: Choosing a Real Estate Agent
In 1997, when I was in the market to sell my home, how did I choose my 
real estate agent? Easy. I just watched who my next-door neighbor used a few months earlier. You see, my next-door neighbor (“NDN”) was an incredibly thorough, hard-working professional, and was very fastidious about anyone who did work on her house. For example, the rule-of-thumb to get references on professionals is to call 3 people; she would call 5-7 and keep copious notes on each — in plastic sleeves for future use. My NDN’s bar is very high and so if my NDN chose Randie Nelson, that’s who I wanted. (Yep — that’s a photo of Randie).
I love my real estate agent. I’m not sure many people can make that statement. Randie has helped sell a house for us and buy the one we’re in now. She has been a valuable resource for other things, too, like offering the name of a guy who could do a quick buff on our floors before we moved in. After she got wind of my neighbor from hell, she offered to talk sense to her, which I thought went above and beyond what a real estate agent does. (We didn’t take her up on the offer, but it was nice to have it).
So, how do most people choose a real estate agent? A recent study by the California Association of Realtors showed that 82% of first-time buyers used the Internet to find an agent. However, many buyers get a referral from a family member or friend or co-worker. Our Zillow poll (inset) verifies that a majority of people go that route. 
But, what if you were a pariah and didn’t have any family or friends, and your co-workers were few and far between? How would you choose a real estate agent? According to the Zillow Real Estate Guide article “Choosing a Real Estate Agent,” the answer is right out your door. Drive or walk around your neighborhood to see whose name or biz is most utilized on other homes for sale. Stop by open houses to meet agents and see how they handle themselves.
Check out Web sites, get recommendations from other real estate pros, but it seems the most popular route is to ask people you trust. There are tons of agents on Zillow, posting homes for sale, taking part in Discussions, answering questions on Home Q&A, and advertising via EZ Ads. Wherever you see an agent’s name or thumbnail image, click on it to read their profile so you can learn about awards they’ve won and more about their background and experience.
My persnickety neighbor was like having my own personal Angie’s List - if they passed her bar, they easily passed mine.
Ed: Wiki Wednesdays is a weekly feature that highlights helpful or interesting articles from the Real Estate Guide.
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Comments
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Miss Marlow on December 6, 2007 1:40 am
Could you please cite the poll that said “82% of first-time buyers used the Internet to find an agent”? I’ve not seen those statistics, nor could I find those online.
I think that your casual “Zillow poll” might be closer to the reality and that 70% or more people meet their agents through a referral or have used them in the past.
A NAR poll from 11/11/06 shows that 82% of home buyers would use their agent again.
And if that is the case, there would be many, many people who “love their real estate agent”, quite the inverse of what you suggest.
(http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2006/survey_shows_buyers_and_sellers.html)
Diane Tuman on December 6, 2007 12:36 pm
Hi Marlow: Thanks for taking the time to comment on this post. The report that said “82% of first-time buyers used the Internet to find an agent” is from a 2007 CAR survey that can be found here: http://www.car.org/index.php?id=Mzc1ODE
(A subscription and fee is required to access the report, but that stat was among the buyer’s shopping habits section).
My comment that “I’m not sure many people can make that statement” (of loving their agent) is completely unscientific and my own personal assessment of what I hear casually when talking about real estate and agent recommendations. In my post, I never said that people would not use their agent again; I was merely saying that I don’t hear the kind of ringing endorsement that I give for my agent. The NAR poll shows they would use their agent again, but do they truly “love” their agent? We’re just wrestling with semantics here. I’m sure there are many people who “love” their agents. Maybe we’ll hear from some!
Anthony Longo on December 10, 2007 8:11 am
Here is what not to hire!
http://condodomain.com/blog/i-need-more-brokerage-fee-paulgive-me-three-grand/
David, Drew…I know you guys will love this one!
MyPhoenixMLS on December 11, 2007 8:49 pm
There are 10 must-ask questions you need to know when interviewing prospective real estate agents. They are:
1.Do you have a written marketing plan tailored to my home?
2.Do you have the connections necessary to get my house in front of many other real estate agents and prospective buyers? According to the National Association of Realtors, 82% of home sales are the result of agent connections.
3.Do you have professional references (other homeowners you’ve worked with) who I can contact?
4.What’s your track record? The number of years that an agent has been in the business is less important than the agent’s track record. Are his clients happy with him?
5.Is your price quote in line with the selling price of other homes in my area? Your agent’s willingness to share with you his market analysis is key – if he’s unwilling, wonder what he may be hiding.
6.What makes you different? Why should I list my home with you?
7.Do you have experience selling homes like mine, in my area?
8.How many buyers are you currently working with?
9.Can I cancel my listing contract if I’m not happy with your service?
10.Does it seem like the agent is saying whatever it takes to get your listing? Or do his facts and figures seem reasonable? Look out for real estate agents that will tell you they can sell your house for an outrageously high price – they’ll tell you anything to get your listing, then you’re bound for disappointment.
To learn more details about the 10 questions you can’t afford not to ask, visit http://myphoenixmls.com/ask-these-to-save-.asp.
Minnesota & Wisconsin Lake Property on January 17, 2008 6:40 pm
Choosing right real estate agent is really very important if you are really interested in buying good house in right price
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