When an agent is all dressed up, has a license and three letters behind their name on an attractive business card, you can be sure that you’re dealing with a professional, right? I mean there are associations, accreditations and regulations that ensure that real estate agents are competent, isn't there? A liscensed real estate agent has received a stamp of approval from the government. That must be good, surely? They’re in a regulated industry with watchdogs, after all!
Experience tells me that these assumptions are not always correct. I have learned a long time ago to question everything. I don't believe everything I read. And I sure as hell don't believe everything I'm told.
I suggest you find out for yourself how much substance lies behind any title. And don't be affraid to challenge the legitimacy of claims. Evaluate each agent on his/her results - the opinions of previous clients!
* Note that I said "clients" not customers! *
If you are a prospective seller, speak to people who have sold a house. The party that granted a mandate to the real estate agent is that agent's client. The agent should, if doing things the right way around, represent the party that granted his mandate. The other party is just a "customer" who should, if the agent is any good, stand second in line when interests are being considered.
A buyer's reccommendation, blazingly singing the praises of a real estate agent who should have been representing a seller, is not something you should allow to sway you to appoint an agent to represent you as your seller's agent.
Don't get me wrong! A happy buyer is not a bad thing. But as a seller, you should be looking for happy sellers to reccommend a seller's agent.
Investing a little time and effort in researching how other clients have experienced the services of a real estate agent can save you from experiencing just how wrong your assumptions can turn out top be. Don't be lazy. You might just regret relying on credentials and reputations in selecting your real estate agent!
Some people like to think that statistics about past sales can be used as an indicator of an agent's success in performing real estate services. The agents with the highest sales must be the Top Dogs, after all - the guys earning the big money. The other real estate agents must be worse at what they do - the part-timers and incompetent agents. That must be right, right?
Err, not really.
In my experience you get some great real estate agents, who truly look after the interests of their clients, who don't sell hundreds of homes in a year. Some agents CHOOSE to service fewer clients in order to service them PROPERLY.
Speak to sellers who have made use of an agent's services, or who is busy selling through him/her, if you are a prospective seller. And speak to buyers who have recently bought a home with the help of your prospective real estate agent, if you are looking to buy. If your expectations are similar to theirs, and they have had a good experience working with the real estate agent, chances are that you will be similarly satisfied working with the agent.
And as far as I am concerned, a good real estate agent is one that leaves his/her clients satisfied...
