REMI Announces Top 3 Tips to Finding a Good Realtor

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 01, 2013

The Real Estate Marketing Insider by Tobias Nergarden released its weekly “Top 3” feature, which tackles a pressing issue in the real estate market and offers advice. This week, the Insider detailed the top three ways that home buyers and sellers can ensure that they find a good real estate agent to help them find a new home or sell a current one.

The Insider tackled this issue after a story appeared in The Washington Post detailing homeowners’ search for real estate representation. The Post reported a few problems with realtor and client relations. According to J.D. Power and Associates, home buyers in 2012 had the lowest level of satisfaction with their realtors since 2007. Buyers often consent to using a “dual agent,” or the same agent who is in charge of representing the seller. This presents problems later in the process as the agent can’t fully address either client’s needs.

Client satisfaction levels with their realtors are dangerously low. Yet when it comes to buying or selling a home, the right real estate agent can make all the difference in the experience and even the deal that a client gets. Here are REMI’s Top 3 tips for finding a good realtor:

•     Rely on word of mouth. Get opinions from previous clients who have bought property in the area. Inquire about their agent and their buying experience. This can be done in person, or by using online resources like Angie’s List, where clients can write anonymously about their experience.
•     Do some research. Take a close look at a realtor’s background. This includes their education, the real estate sales training they have had, and their employment history. A well-trained realtor who has held a stable position at a single firm is usually a good bet for representation. Remember also that not all realty is created equal. Realtors who deal exclusively in vacation rental by owners and timeshares may not be the best choice for suburban housing, even in the same market.
•     When in doubt, go local. The temptation to work with a global real estate firm is great, but often global agents have an imperfect understanding of local markets. Local agents, even if affiliated with larger companies, are the best bet to finding a realtor who understands the market and the properties. Choose a realtor who has been in the community for some time, advertises locally, and has his or her roots and reputation in town.

The Real Estate Marketing Insider published its weekly “Top 3” feature, this week detailing the top three tips for choosing a good realtor to buy or sell property.

About the Real Estate Marketing Insider:
The Real Estate Marketing Insider is an online resource for home buyers, sellers, and agents. REMI provides up-to-the-minute real estate news, market analysis, and expert advice on navigating the real estate market.

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