Selecting the Best Agent

Dear Marlene~
How do I find a really good real estate agent? Stan S. in South Kansas City.
Ummm, well, how about by reading a real estate blog on your computer? (hint, hint!) Another way might be to check with friends and family. Don’t have any of those around? Try driving around neighborhoods that you think you might want to live in – check out the yard sign. Look at the fliers – are they color? Nice? Informational? Is the “flier holder” empty or full of fliers? Look for “directional signs” from major intersections? If the sign is well-kept, and the flier bin is full of great-looking fliers, and you see directional signs leading you to the house – then you most likely have a real estate agent who (a) knows what they are doing; (b) cares about their job; and (c) will do the same for you. You might also want to check out the MLS listing on the house, or better yet, call the agent up and ask them to e-mail you a couple of their MLS listings. Did they fill in the elementary, middle and high school information? Is the room information complete? What do the remarks say? What do the pictures look like on the site? It makes a huge difference if the agent took the time to properly advertise that listing on the MLS! If there’s a lot of missing information that people might search for (i.e., a particular neighborhood, or school, or type of basement, etc.), then the agent failed to take the time to properly list the property. How long did it take the agent to call you back or fill your request to e-mail you the link to a couple of their web listings? Right away (like I always do), or did it take a long time?
Did you notice I didn’t say look around your current neighborhood for signs? It would sure concern me if an agent who was listing my house, also had a house down the street, or a similar house on the next block that might be in direct competition with selling my home. Can you say possible conflict of interest? Split loyalties?
You think because you see the agent’s signs all over the place that they must be the best? Well, you might want to re-think that. If a real estate agent has 10, 15, 40 or even 50 listings, how much individual attention is that agent able to give your house? I personally will not take a listing in the same neighborhood if I already have a similar house listed in the neighborhood – I don’t want to be forced to split my loyalties among my clients. Many agents don’t care – they’ll never turn down a listing no matter what. However, many agents do care. Make sure your agent cares.
Also, ask your perspective agent specifically what they will do to market your home and try to sell it. Listen carefully. Ask them to show you some examples. Go with your gut feeling, and remember – this is a business decision – just because they are a friend or family member doesn’t mean that they should be the one to sell your most expensive asset, or assist you in buying your most expensive asset.
If you have a specific question you’d like answered, please e-mail me at: MAlley@infinityrealtysells.com or visit my website at: www.MarleneAlley.com

Until next time, happy home hunting!
~Marlene Alley