Questions for a Realtor - Part One

I was wondering, and thought you might be also, how people go about finding the right realtor for them. And what if you are working with someone, but realize you're not exactly hitting it off. What should you do?

I posed these questions to two realtors I know. One is a former neighbor, Sue, who is also 'building her retirement' in another (warmer) state, and is going through many of the same issues I - and maybe you - are going through. The other is our realtor, Eva, the one we were very lucky to have found when we began our search for retirement property. She is, however, still digging out from under a ton of snow, and the last I spoke with her, she still had no electricity. We'll have her thoughts and answers another time.

Sue, however, had this advice for us: Start your search online, and then call a few offices in the area, she said three, and ask these questions:

1. How many years have they worked in that office and how many years have they lived in the area?
A person who has lived and worked there a long time will know the nuances of an area and will have invaluable knowledge that a new person would not have.

2. How many years experience as a realtor do they have?
Sue didn't want to discount the enthusiasm a new realtor may have, she knows there are many newbies who would do a good job and work very aggressively for you, but she also felt experience is a BIG plus, not only with drawing out what you are really looking for, but also with negotiating a good deal!

3. When you go on vacation, or have to be away, who takes care of your business?
Now, this is a question I would not have thought of, nor would I have thought it was important, but Sue assures me it is. A customer wants to be able to reach their realtor pretty much at all times if there is a question or an issue. And if the realtor needs to be away, it is very important to have someone standing in for them to answer your question or help with an issue. She felt very strongly about the realtor you hire having a back-up plan.

In my next post, we will talk about how a realtor figures out what it is you are really looking for, and what to do if you start working with a realtor, then find out you aren't happy with them and you want to work with someone else.

Till next time.