How To Find A Realtor
How to find a realtor. When you choose a realtor they are working for you. You are hiring them. Below are 6 questions to ask when interviewing your prospective realtor.
1. How Experienced Are You?
Many have asked how to find a realtor. This is the most important criteria. Don’t be the guinea pig for a new realtor. Keep looking until you find one with at least a year of experience, and multiple sales. Ask how many sales they have closed.
2. Do You Know This Type of Land?
Realtors tend to specialize in a specific type of property. Most realtors specialize in houses, and have a limited knowledge of land.
Ask if they are familiar with the type of property you are buying or selling. Ask to see their previous sales of similar property.
3. Do You Have Complaints?
When asked how to find a realtor I always emphasis asking a realtor this question. This is a tough question to ask but you have a right to know. If you don’t get a straight answer, or question the answers given, check with the State Real Estate Department, they keep a record of all complaints.
Complaints can be frivolous, so ask for details of any complaints. You should avoid a realtor with multiple “legitimate” complaints.
4. Does your Company Have Complaints?
The same goes for complaints against the real estate company. Most realtors are honest, as are most companies, but bad realtors tend to congregate. If the company has a history of complaints look for a different realtor, preferably at a different company.
5. Do You Represent Buyer Or Seller?
It is vital to know who the realtor is representing. If they listed the property, they are working for the seller, and have a legal obligation to get the highest price possible for the seller.
If they did not list the property, they are most likely working for the buyer, and have a legal obligation to get the lowest price possible. If you are a buyer they will probably show you multiple properties, starting with their own listings, meaning they are working for the seller. There is nothing wrong with this, just make sure you know and have an idea of property values.
6. Any Exclusive Agency Agreement?
Realtors love Exclusive Agency Agreements but be wary of signing them. You have no obligation to sign such an agreement. If you do sign an Exclusive Agency Agreement you are agreeing that this specific realtor will be the only one you work with in a given area.
The area could be a town, county or an entire state. Don’t sign one that covers more than the realtors area. Never sign one that covers an entire state. If you do and then want to look at property in another area with a different realtor, they will be unlikely to help you as the commission would be paid to the first realtor.
How to find a Realtor is not always easy but most realtors are honest and willing to work hard to help you find the right property. Since you are hiring them, you have a right to interview them.