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Choose Your Realtor Wisely
Of all the decisions home buyers and home sellers need to make, choosing a realtor is by far the most important. Hiring the wrong person can make an already stressful experience even worse. Hiring the right person can make your transaction smooth and problem free.
Given the importance of selecting the right realtor, why do some consumers make a poor choice? Generally, they interview too few candidates, ask too few questions or allow their emotions to interfere with rational decisions. But more to the point, most people just don't know how to hire a realtor.
In most communities, realtors are highly visible. They host home buying seminars. They advertise everywhere from the Yellow Pages to cable television. Their accomplishments are touted in local newspapers. Their for sale signs are planted in front of homes on every street.
Some of these efforts are notably creative. One agent has a large picture of himself on dozens of bus benches in an upscale neighbourhood. Another agent has a cable television show that airs every other half hour around the clock. And one brokerage company advertises on a number of buses driving around the city.
When you need to find a realtor, this visibility is helpful because you won't have to look far. Of course, you're not looking for just any realtor. Rather than hiring someone based on an advertisement, you'll need to find out who really knows their stuff and can meet your personal needs. Choosing a realtor is a lot like hiring any other professional, say, a financial planner, a lawyer or an insurance agent. Once you've figured out your needs, compile a list of active realtors who might be able to help you. Asking friends, relatives and especially neighbours for a referral is an excellent idea, but keep in mind that their needs may not be the same as yours. You're also likely to hear about a bunch of people who have recently obtained their real estate licence. Just because Aunt Susie's third cousin or your neighbour's best friend's son passed the real estate exam last week doesn't mean he or she has any practical experience. Proceed with caution.
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Copyright ©2007 Peter Kunz. All rights reserved. |
Royal LePage Partners Realty is an independently owned and operated brokerage. |
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