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99 South Alcaniz Street, Pensacola, FL 32502, Toll Free (877) 456-6333
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Many of the same questions, hesitations and strategies connected
with seeking out professional assistance in any field - whether you're
looking for a doctor, dentist, lawyer or accountant - come into play
when you're selecting a real estate agent.
Some people find an agent through a family member or friend. This is
often a reliable approach. But you might not always find the most
compatible assistance this way. And in a transaction as important and
intensive as buying and selling a home, that can be critical.
A referral from a family member or friend doesn't guarantee a perfect
match. Just think of something as simple as a movie or restaurant
recommendation. Your close friends rave about a new Chinese food place
downtown - so you check it out. Could this possibly be the same
restaurant they were describing? Mediocre service. No chopsticks.
Bland flavors. It's the same restaurant. Same cook. Same waiters. Just
different perceptions.
Regardless of how you get an agent's name, it might be worth
interviewing at least a couple before you make a final decision - or
at least arming yourself with some criteria to go over with any agent
who has been recommended to you.
A few things to look for...
- If you're looking for an agent to list your home, be wary of anyone
who suggests they can get an unreasonably high sales price. An agent
might use a high listing price to secure a contract, only to seek a
lower price later, after little traffic is generated at the initial
price level. Meanwhile, you've lost what can be the most critical time
period in selling a home - the first weeks immediately after it's
listed.
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Check on experience, education and productivity. As with most
professions, experience pays in real estate. Experienced agents know
the market and the marketing process. They'll have the best chance of
quickly and smoothly helping you to buy or sell your home.
- Designations - such as the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI); Certified
Residential Specialist (CRS); Certified Relocation Professional (CRP);
Leadership Training Graduate (LTG); and, in Canada, the Registered
Relocation Specialist (RRS) - suggest an expertise and commitment that
goes beyond just earning and maintaining a real estate license.
- The number of transactions an agent is handling monthly or yearly is
going to give you an indication of how committed the agent is to the
profession. Is the agent a part-timer who's just dabbling in real
estate sales - or is the agent a full-time professional whose
livelihood depends entirely on an ability to successfully and
repeatedly close real estate transactions?
- If you're a buyer - does the agent offer buyer agency? More and more
buyers are deciding they want full contractual representation on the
same level as the seller. Be sure to discuss buyer agency with any
agent you're thinking about working with.
- Does the agent know the market? Is the agent active in soliciting
business in your neighborhood? Do you see the agent's yard signs
around the neighborhood?
- Is the agent part of a national network? This can be especially
important if you're selling in one city in preparation of moving to
another. Your selling agent can refer you to a professional,
compatible agent in your destination city - and keep in close contact
with that agent so both your selling and buying efforts are closely
coordinated.
- And a final point: Does the agent seem primarily interested in sharing
expertise and market knowledge in an honest and straightforward
manner? Or does the agent seem more interested in telling you what you
want to hear - or spend a lot of effort trying to market additional
products and services? The worst time to secure the services of a
"yes-man" or an agent who seems to have a bit too many irons in the
fire is when you're entering a transaction involving something as
expensive as your home. You need straightforward, reliable information
- even if it's not necessarily flattering regarding the home you're
selling - or very encouraging regarding a home you think you might
want to buy.
If you're interested in contacting Bill, he can be reached at
Bill@PensacolaHome.com.
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