Tom_S asked:


I am involved in the setting up of a new Estate Agents in the South of England and I wanted to do some research into peoples experience as I want to help create an Estate Agent which is truely different. What makes a good Estate Agent? What makes a bad Estate Agent? Tales of good experiences or bad experiences welcome. What do you want from an Estate Agent when they are selling your home?

Alvin

T J Madigan asked:


Whether you are buying a home or selling a home, you are most likely going to need the services of a real estate agent. Most people have seen movies and heard horror stories about pushy real estate agents that try to get you to buy a home you arent interested in or list your home for a price well above what its worth. The last thing you want is for the real estate agent you work with to be anything like the stereotypes.

A real estate agents success will tell you a lot about how he or she works. How many homes does that agent sell? An successful agent that sales many homes is usually easy to work with. When you are interviewing real estate agents you might find it helpful to ask for references. Of course, these references should have experiences relevant to the services you are looking for. If you are buying a home from the real estate agent, speaking to someone who has had a positive selling experience with the agent will not be of much help.

Choose an agent based on a referral you receive from someone you trust. When a friend or family member gives you the name of a real estate agent, there is a greater chance of you having a successful experience with the agent, than if you randomly choose one from the telephone book. Make sure the person who is referring the real estate to you has had a recent experience in working with the agent.

If you are a buyer working with a real estate agent, make sure to give the agent the details you are looking for in a home along with the maximum price you are willing to pay. Your agent should make every agent to show you homes that meet the criteria. There are some agents that will attempt to show you homes that are above your maximum price or do not meet your priority criteria. Usually this happens because the agent has some ulterior motive for selling the property. Respond to this situation the first time by asking that the real estate agent only show you homes that meet your criteria. If the agent continues to disrespect your wishes, you should move on to an agent that will abide by your requests.

Pushy real estate agents are fairly easy to recognize. You will notice that the agent does not truly seem interested in your needs or wants. The agents primary concern will be to sell you something. For buyers, the pushy agents will try whatever is necessary to get you to purchase a home that you arent interested in. These agents might express frustration when you do not make a swift enough decision to meet their satisfaction.

When working with a sellers agent, be wary of real estate agents that pressure you to make decisions before you are comfortable with working with them. A professional agent will assist you in making educated decisions based on facts. This kind of agent will even provide you with the information necessary. If you feel that a real estate agent does not have your best interests in mind, kindly thank them for their services, and enlist the services of another real estate professional.



Fernando

Michael Contaro asked:


You’ve lived in your house for 30 years and now it’s time to sell. Should you try to sell it on your own or do you get a realtor? Choosing a real estate agent will be one of the most important decisions you will make and it’s a decision that you should not rush into.

You should do your research before you sign on with any realtor. Selling your house is a major life altering decision. Too many house sellers call the first number they see on a lawn sign while driving around and use them. Others call the first number listed in the phone book. Just because a realtor is popular or begins with the letter “A” doesn’t mean they are right for you.

When choosing a realtor you may want to choose a company that has been in the business for many years. Chances are they would have past experience with selling a house similar to yours. This is the time to get references from people who have sold their homes recently. See if they had good experiences with a particular realtor and THEN do your homework to see if that particular realtor is right for you.

Another factor to consider is the level of education your Real Estate Agent has. In some states it is pretty easy to get a real estate license, in others like New Jersey, you must have approximately 60 hours of class time before you can site for your license exam. After you receive your license and choose a real estate agency to work from you still have to take refresher classes each year to keep your license in good order. Ask for credentials; check to see if your realtor or real estate agent has won any awards or has any advanced real estate licenses. For example some real estate agents also are appraisers or mortgage brokers. This shows they are in business for the long haul.

Ultimately, go with your gut feelings. If a possible realtor tells you that they can sell your house for much more than the appraised value, don’t trust him. He is wasting your time and you won’t have a happy selling experience. Each sale is important to you and the realtor. If you feel like you are just another sale it’s time for a new realtor.

A realtor can be a huge help when selling your house… or they can be major obstacle and create problems. Chose carefully. You and your money will be spending a lot of time with this person.



Arnold