Choose A Qualified Professional
WARNING! Failure to select a qualified professional can and will affect your wealth.
Here are four ways to determine who would be the best Real Estate professional to represent you in your next transaction:
1) Interview – Take the time to interview at least two if not three real estate agents at least 30 to 60 days prior to starting the property search process. Today’s world is fast paced and getting faster everyday but if there was ever a time to slow down this would be it. Unfortunately most people are selecting agent by chance – through the internet, at an open house, direct mail, by a friend, advertisement or a billboard. Sometime you can get lucky and find the right person by using these methods but why leave your largest purchase to chance. The initial interview should last at least an hour but not more than two. Have a list of questions prepared based on what is important to you. These questions need to determine if you could establish a close business relationship with the person. Don’t forget hundreds of hours will be spent with this individual over the next 3 to 6 months. Your interview questions should cover a variety of topics such as the person’s professional background, how they like to conduct business, what is important to them when they make a commitment to work with a client but remember the goal is to determine if you are comfortable working with the individual so listen to the responses carefully and take notes for follow up questions as well as a way to review the data later.
2) Communication – Number one priority is he or she a good listener? Are they truly concerned about you and meeting your goals and objectives or is it all about them. It is not a good sign if the conversation turns into a “me”, discussion verses a “you” discussion. Do they communicate in a professional manner, with a sense of confidence? There are many forms of communication in today’s world are they sensitive to the way you like to communicate in a business relationship?
3) Knowledge –There are two distinct areas that need to be addressed, professional knowledge and market knowledge. On a professional level what are their credentials, do they have a Broker’s license, special designations or certifications, a well rounded background in many facets of real estate, are they in the business on a full time basis? Your real estate professional will be the conductor in the transaction so their professional knowledge is a key to a successful outcome. Market knowledge is also important to you, not only in regard to finding the correct property but also in helping you determine value. There are a number of ways an agent can stay current in any given market. It takes a lot of work, using a number of methods, on a weekly basis to really understand a given market. Make sure to ask how they fulfill these requirements.
4) Professionalism – Is the person a Realtor who abides to a code of ethics as well as a standard of professionalism? Not every person who holds a real estate license is a Realtor who agrees to be held to a higher standard based on the association. I also believe it is a good business to ask for a list of references from past clients as well as business associates. Not only does the real estate professional have to have a good relationship with you but they have to maintain good relationships with their peers as well.
