Interviewing Agents...
...Your choice of a real estate agent is extremely important. Agents are not created equal, anymore than doctors, dentists or hair-dressers are equal. Working with the agent who picks up the phone when you call in is a poor way to choose the person who is going to help with something as important as buying or selling a home or other property. A real estate company is only as effective as the agent asking for your business. Whether a franchise sells a home a minute or whether they are the largest home seller in the state is not as important as the quality of the agent asking for your business. Choose your REALTOR® by credentials and commitment - here are a few questions to ask:

Start by doing a few hours of research. Ask around...get to know who has the most signs, ads and marketing material in your neighborhood. Who's the most active agent, compile a list of agent names and use these questions to help you determine which agent is right for your.

1. Could you send me some information about yourself?
You can often get a good idea of which agents are the most professional by looking at their promotional materials. If the materials aren't professional, how are they going to market your home, if they can't market themselves? Track how long each agent takes to respond to your request and how quickly they follow up. If they don't respond efficiently to your listing requests imagine how they'll handle potential home buyers.

2. How many homes have you listed and how many homes have you sold in the last six months?
Look for an agent who has experience with homes similar to yours and is active in your area. If your home has special features look for an agent with experience in those areas. Your agent should have a good record of selling homes, not just listing them, after all this is your ultimate goal.

3. What is your average length of time from listed to sold?
Don't automatically assume the shorter time on the market the better. That could reflect selling homes quickly at low ball prices. Look at what the asking price was compared to the selling price. An agent who sells close to the asking price and quickly is effective at helping clients determine the right price and helping them get it.

4. How long have you been in business and what professional organizations do you belong to?
The length of time a real estate agent has been licensed is not a sure fire sign that they've been an active seller. They may have been in business for 10 years but only part time, whereas an agent who's been in business for 2 years may be a real top producer. So take into account what professional organizations they belong to. The minimum should be a licensed professional who's a member of the local real estate board and multiple listing service as well as the state and National Association of Realtors. Local community groups and associations are also pluses in terms of networking and commitment.

5. Do you have an assistant or support staff?
By employing someone to handle the details of their business the agent can spend more time servicing your needs. However, make sure you know how much time an agent will spend and how much time their assistant will spend on the sale of your home. It may be fine if the assistant does most of the legwork as long as the agent is there at the most critical times of the transaction period.

6. How often will you hold open houses?
Will they be public or by appointment only? Simply putting a sign on your lawn and holding open houses every Sunday will not sell your home. Too frequently open houses make the property a target for low ball bidders. Look for an agent with a specific plan for each showing. The plan should be just one facet of a complete marketing plan.

7. What listing price do you recommend and what is that price based on?
Pricing is the most critical step to selling your home. Take great care in choosing an agent with the knowledge to price your home effectively. Keep in mind the selling price should attract prospective buyers to your home, get you top dollar in the current market and reflect the condition of your home. Be realistic and avoid Yes agents, who will say 'yes' to any request or price while your home languishes on the market. Low ball agents will try to talk you into an artificial price to simply sell as fast as possible.

8. What does the listing agreement entail, what are the beginning and expiration dates, and what are the fee amounts I will be paying?
Have your agent go over every detail in the listing agreement with you until you understand it completely. Make sure the beginning and ending dates are on the agreement, a good standard for length is six months. Know exactly what fees you will be paying, and remember less is not always better. If the agent stands to make very little commission you can bet it will be reflected in the amount of time and effort that is spent marketing your home. If the agent reduces their commission to get the listing it may mean they intend to spend very little money promoting the property.

9. What disclosure laws apply to me and what do I need to be aware of?
Make sure your agent helps you with locating professional inspectors for the various home inspections that may be needed in your area. Create a home marketing file that may include a property fact sheet, a property condition report, pest control report, applicable environmental zone reports, structural engineering report, property profile from the title company, plans for alterations or additions, and special equipment report for pools, spas, sprinklers and alarm systems. Your agent should be able to handle this for you.

10. What types of things separate you from your competition and will you give me some feedback?
How effectively will they advertise? Do they have 24 hour advertising capability? Will all the leads be followed up on by your agent's team or will they go to other agents who may have other listings they would prefer to show? Agents who are innovative and offer new methods of attracting home buyers will measurably outperform agents who rely on methods of the past. To market effectively in the 90's and beyond requires progressive strategies that add value and service for both buyers and sellers!

We sincerely hope these tips and ideas are of value to you. If there is any way we can be of service, please contact our office...we would consider it a privilege to be of service to you! If you would like a FREE consultation call our office at:

Use this checklist as a guide for interviewing and selecting a real estate professional to work with you. make at least three copies and use it during the actual interview as your guide to selection of an agent.

The top agents in your area should be able, usually, to answer all of these questions. Top agents will have their own personal web site. Ask them for their address and take the time to look at their web site. Don't be fooled by the company's web site, you are mostly dealing with an individual agent, not the company. A top agent will be computer literate and have their own web site to market your property or find you the best home to buy.

Asking the above questions may make the difference in saving you thousands of dollars as a consumer. Take advantage of working with a top agent in an area.

If your listing has expired and you may be wondering what to do. The most important question you must ask is, "where did I go wrong?" The answer is not usually within you, but with the agent you entrusted. Be prepared with the right information so you can interview your prospective agent with confidence and assure you make the right choice this time.

With hundreds or even thousands of dollars at stake and weeks of time invested don't risk making mistakes. Make sure your agent is eminently qualified to sell your home. Don't risk this decision out of obligation to a friend, family member or acquaintance.

Typically, most people will ask business associates, family or friends to recommend someone who they've had good luck with...someone they can trust. Other sellers will watch neighborhood real estate signs to see who is listing many of the homes. Still others rely upon the reputation of the major national franchise companies. Then, of course, there's always the yellow pages. All of these methods could prove to be a disaster!

Know The Companies Reputation - Ask your business associates, family and friends about the company or agent and listen carefully for the very first thing they say. A company has a reputation in the community...listen closely for it!

Call The Real Estate Commission - Call and ask about consumer complaints. Be sure and take note of the number and nature but don't base your entire decision on this information. In a slow or declining market agents will get more complaints because the sellers are frustrated that their home isn't moving and they want someone to blame when it's simply poor market conditions...so always allow your prospective agent to explain any complaints and their response seems reasonable take that into consideration. One other note, if an agent does a large number of transactions per year they will naturally be exposed to the potential for more of these kinds of comments...if an agent isn't doing anything they obviously won't generate a complaint.

Call the Better Business Bureau - See if the agent has had any bad dealings with his or her customers.

Ask For A Record Of The Agent's Marketing Innovations - How are they dealing with the current market conditions? Is there a plan to design their advertising and marketing efforts to benefit the seller? Residential real estate has a long history of economic cycles. The market is either hot, improving, static or declining, and with each cycle there has to be a plan to cope with the current market.

Define Planning Times - Establish a time with your agent to go over the marketing results within the first 15 days. Ask for all showings and feedback from other agents. Help the agent understand that any news is good even if it's bad because it helps you make adjustments in your marketing plan.

If you follow these suggestions you're sure to avoid the mistakes of the past. Make sure you're dealing with a competent professional...making the right choice is worth thousands of dollars and a great sense of "peace of mind".

We sincerely hope these tips and ides are of value to you. if there is any way we can be of service please contact our office...we would consider it a privilege to serve you! If you would like a FREE consultation call our office at: