I don’t want to sound rude and I don’t want to offend the many hard working Realtors who are doing a great job of helping people find their dream home but maybe you have noticed the same thing as me: When I look in every corner of my world, there is a real estate agent.

So Many Realtors

I can think of four of my friends who, one day were in a certain career and a week later, were pursuing a career in real estate while still others are enjoying their time as a part time Realtor. My point is this: there seem to be a lot of Realtors in the marketplace so when it’s time to find one, how do you separate the good from the bad?

First, you have to understand that there are different types of Realtors for different needs. A coworker of mine found what he considered to be a dream home. The problem was that his family still lived in their current home and hadn’t even put it on the market. He had to sell it quickly.

Because of his abbreviated time frame, he went shopping for somebody who was a full time Realtor with a lot of contacts and known for selling homes quickly. She had been a part of the real estate business for more than 25 years and was able to sell his home in less than a week. Of course, the commission she charged was higher than some agents but she dealt with a certain niche market.

You may not be in a hurry. You may have decided in plenty of time to sell your home. You’re in the market for somebody who will work hard for you and sell your home near the asking price in a reasonable amount of time.

Should You Hire a Realtor You Know?

First, if you’re like me and know a few Realtors personally, you may think twice about hiring them. Just like you would with any other agent, it’s best to take recommendations from people that you trust. Did this Realtor come enthusiastically recommended?

Interview the Realtor

Ask the Realtor for their recent sales records. How close to the asking price were they able to sell their previous clients’ homes? How many days were those homes on the market?

What is their marketing plan? They should have a clear plan for marketing your home. They should offer you suggestions on how to stage your home, items that need improvement, and they should present you with research that they did to come up with a value on your home.

Last, as we all know from our personal lives, sometimes two people with different personalities don’t mesh. If you are water and the Realtor is oil, the bottom line may be that they are talented and have a great record but you two simply don’t mix. Don’t hire them. There are plenty of other Realtors that may work better for you.

Remember that they will be get paid an average of 6%-7% of your home’s value to sell it for you. Expect that they will work hard. If they aren’t, don’t be afraid to sever ties and find somebody else.

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