Ever wonder what characteristics to look for in a real estate agent? Whether buying or selling here are a few....
Professional Agents:
- Are running a business and on a schedule
- Show up on time and expect you to do the same
- Work mostly by referral or recommendation
- Expect you to make a commitment to them
- Prepare a listing or buyer broker agreement outlining the terms of your contract
- Will know the neighborhoods and the inventory of homes
- Have good relationships with many of the other agents
- Are competent and work full-time
- Earn a living and work hard
- Respect your time and expect you to do the same
- Are available or make arrangements for coverage
- Have experienced most issues and can offer advice
- Will Tell you when you need to get other professional advice (e.g., lawyer, accountant, home inspector)
- Contact you even though they might have bad news
- Typically have a good sense of humor
Yvette Chisholm, Associate Broker, MD, DC, VA
Alan Bruzee, Associate Broker, MD, DC, VA
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Rockville/King Farm Office 301-548-9700
402 King Farm Blvd #150 Rockville, MD 20850
Telephone: 301-758-9500
Great advice to the consumer. And, all very, very true!
Yvette, Pretty good job listing agent job description! Have a good week.
Best
Good job. I think very many of these apply to any entreprenuer. Wishing you a great week and month!
The 2nd to last one is so true. . . as a professional we can't be afraid to call our clients even with bad news. Great list - thank yoU!
Consulting with a Home Inspector who has been in business and/or working with the local Realtors, for say 5 yrs. or more, is also a good resource to hiring a good agent. Home Inspectors will often have an intimate knowledge of the best (and ethical) Realtors in their area. On a related side note, we will be re-implementing our "Preferred Realtor" coupons at the beginning of 2012. We will give discounted rates/coupons to clients who use a Realtor from this list. The agents who are on this list are ones we have worked with in the past who are honest, ethical, professional, and most importantly, have the client's best interests at heart.
You are absolutely right Joshua, that is one of the very best places to find a great agent. Some of our very best home inspectors have been taken from us by cancer, strokes, and the like, but they always recommended us!
Yvette--Love "sense of humor," so important in this business.
I plan to subscribe to your blog. Thanks for stopping at my site recently.
Hope you have lots of fun and food with family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving!
EXCELLENT checklist for a buyer or seller looking for a GREAT Realtor!
I agree this is a great list for both clients and agents to consider. If you want to operate a successful professional business, these should be incorporated as part of your business philosophy.
Agents should work to achieve the above characteristics, clients won't know if the agent has all of them initially!