Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Choosing a Realtor to Represent You

   In the world of real estate, a transaction can go bad quickly and one of the best ways to be protected against it is by choosing the right realtor.  This article will help you be successful in real estate by defining the core values of the best realtors.  When you are ready to buy or sell real estate, choosing a realtor is one of the first and most important steps and in our world of mass media there are many ways to find an agent; however, the best way to find a realtor is by asking your family and friends to recommend someone.  Once you’ve narrowed down your choices it is best to do some research on the person or persons.  Go to their website and look for specific points of emphasis as their priorities. Also, the Department of Commerce (DOC) is another valuable resource, as the DOC is where a past client would file a complaint against a realtor.  If an agent has engaged in unethical or fraudulent behavior and it has been reported, it will be on file at the DOC.  Access the DOC online at www.commerce.state.mn.us
   The most important quality a good realtor has is honesty; as there are too many agents in this business willing to be dishonest and say anything to a potential client to secure business.  The process of a real estate transaction is complex and takes a significant amount of time and effort; if you end up working with a dishonest realtor, there is a good chance the transaction will get ugly.  There is also a very good chance you will end up working with other dishonest people involved in the transaction, because people with poor values tend to work together.  When researching the realtor’s website and advertising; look for words like honesty/trust/integrity to be emphasized on their website and in their advertising.  Often times, those who are dishonest will avoid those words, because they do not prioritize them.  In other words, be aware of what is being omitted in a website or advertisement.  Avoid getting yourself caught up in legal issues by working with a realtor, who is honest.
   Hiring a hardworking and passionate realtor is vital to having your real estate transaction be pleasurable and successful.  When you find yourself having to engage in real estate, whether it be for your home, business or as an investment; it is one of the most considerable transactions you will do in your lifetime and the process is significant, both in time and importance.  The amount of work and knowledge an agent needs to obtain in order to serve his or her client well is staggering and too often realtors become overwhelmed by the workload, thus they begin to cut corners and it affects their ability to provide quality representation. Often times, a realtor will represent clients looking for real estate in multiple areas; including different neighborhoods, cities and counties and he/she needs to stay informed on the many statutes, ordinances and laws which govern those areas.  In addition, the inventory of homes and businesses is large and constantly changing; many agents are not aware of what is available in the areas they represent, which can be the difference between a good or bad deal; or even an extraordinary deal.  Beyond the laws and inventory, there are a multitude of items in which a realtor needs to be knowledgeable; such as financing, marketing and negotiating transactions. Simply stated, it takes a lot of work to provide quality service. Knowing the workload is immense, partnering with a passionate agent will provide an energy to the process and enliven the experience for all participants.  As well as loving his/her work, a positively, passionate realtor will keep you motivated throughout the process.  The best way to find a hardworking and passionate realtor is by referrals, researching their work (website, blog, advertisement, etc.) and interviewing potential realtors. 
   If you’ve narrowed it down to a few people and they are all honest, hardworking and passionate realtors.  Here are a few more qualities to look for as you make a decision on an agent.  A realtor, who is articulate and a good listener is essential.  Working a creative person helps you troubleshoot through the issues, which are likely to come up during the transaction. And finally, choosing an intelligent agent will make the process easier on you.  He/She will be able to advise you on the many options you will have as you engage in buying or selling real estate.  There you have it…  An honest, hardworking, passionate, creative, intelligent, well spoken and a good listener is the realtor you want representing you in the world of real estate. 

No comments:

Post a Comment