What to Look for in a Real Estate Professional

Choose an agent you feel comfortable with, who is responsive to your needs and who compliments your personality. Here are some guidelines:

• Get referrals from family and friends.
• Seek an experienced agent with a known reputation – look at credentials, track records and awards received.
• Interview at least three agents.
• Seek someone who is a member of the Board of Realtors® .
• Find someone who is continuing their education – a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Certified Residential Broker (CRB), a Graduate of the Realtors Institute (GRI) or an Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR) – this shows the Realtor is interested in the business long-term and is willing to invest in their career.

Questions to ask when getting a referral

These questions will help you learn what you need to know about an agent:

• What were they like to deal with?
• How hard did they work for you?
• Did they get you a good price?
• Were there any complications?
• Did they always tell you the truth?
• Were they always looking out for you or just interested in getting paid?
• Would you use their services again?

Questions to ask when interviewing an agent

Ask these questions before making a decision:

• How many buyers have you successfully represented in the last six months? Can I have the names and phone numbers of three to six of your most recent buyer clients?
• What professional designations do you have?
• Are you fully automated with your own personal computer, FAX machine, copier, pager, voice mail, etc?
• What is your commission? Or do you have hourly rates or a set fee?
• Do you have a list of home inspectors, insurance agents and reputable lenders for me to consider?
• What clauses will be included in our offer to protect us as buyers?
• Will you try to sell me one of your listed properties before you show me listings from other real estate companies?
• Do you have information about For Sale By Owner properties?
• How will you help me save money?
• How will you protect my interests, and why should I hire you rather than another agent?

Now that you've chosen a few agents and interviewed them, ask yourself the following questions to narrow your choice:

• Which one returned your phone calls?
• Which one asked questions to determine what you want/need in a home?
• Which one performed a financial analysis to determine how much you can afford?
• Which one suggested financing methods?
• Which one seemed most knowledgeable about the community?
• Which one explained things most clearly?
• Which one did you feel most comfortable with?

What to Expect from a Real Estate Professional Help?

Expect:

• To be treated as a respectable client, not transaction #37.
• To have your best interests represented.
• To be served selflessly – your agent shouldn't be eyeing your wallet.
• Your agent to work as hard for you as they would if they were buying their own house.
• The highest skills available.
• Your calls to be returned promptly and to be kept up to date.
• Your agent to go above and beyond what's expected when dealing with problems that may arise.
• Your agent to be a trusted advisor you can consult even when the transaction is complete.

Rely on instincts to help determine which agent is right for you. The right person will have suitable credentials, be most responsive to your needs and make you feel comfortable.