Tips On Finding A Real Estate Agent

Don't let a movie like American Beauty put you off when you think of Real Estate Agents. Although you may find many in the profession ranging from personality extreme to extreme, you need to find the agent that you can work with. Along with diverse personality examples, one is sure to find differing levels of skill as well. It would be the perfect situation to find a realtor that you could relate to and one that has enough experience and expertise to do the job well. It has been shown statistically that this is a tough profession and as much as four out of five people who obtain their realtor's license quit in the first year. Of the remaining agents, half of them quit in the next five years. This is a good clue to tell you whether the agent you are considering making a deal with is worth it. Ask them how long they have been in the business.

Begin your search by starting a list of all the possible agents that you could work with. There are a number of places to begin this list. There are classifieds, directories, property magazines and even boards up around your neighborhood. One of the most successful ways of creating a good list to start from, is to ask those around you. A friend or a family member in the area is sure to have a story or two to tell from their dealings with local agents. If someone has a positive tale to tell, they are sure to share it if you ask. This all helps to tick people off your list and give you something to work with. Be sure to check each agent out for yourself. Other people's judgements may not always be spot on. Perhaps the agent they worked with just had a once off moment and usually you will find him inattentive and distracted. This is where the real research begins. From your short list, you can now look through realtor's individual portfolios and history. Look up possible references that they have given and make your own judgment call. This is an effective way to check into an agent's work ethic and habits. Choosing the person that you can work with as a realtor is often easier when you actually get to meet them face to face. The way to do this is to attend open houses in your area. There is always a realtor on duty at each house and you will be able to size them up as they take you around that particular residence. This is a good way of getting to know an agent before you actually work with them. Home buying or home selling seminars are also an option. Different realtors each have opportunities to stand on stage and talk on their subject of expertise. One can make an assessment here to see if you connect with one of them who is personable and knowledgeable. An important note is to always check a realtor's license to work in that industry. Asking these kinds of questions lets the realtor know that you are serious about your choice of real estate partner. A lot of the choice also has to be with your discernment and your gut-feel about someone. Consider what you feel that person's level of honesty is and whether their public personal manners are just for show. Be sure to ask about their experience and whether they have multiple listing service membership. This kind of information will give you all the answers you need. All of these above tips will ensure that you make the best call when it comes to who you work with on the deal for your home.

By Carl Drotsky,About the Author:

Want to find out more about real estate, then visit Mel Simmons's site on how to choose the best realtor for your needs.