Choosing Your Orlando Real Estate Agent
January 27, 2012 in Industry News, Insider Tips
There is a common saying in the real estate industry - “If you dont have any friends who are agents, then you probably dont have any friends at all.” As sad as that statement it is, it’s rather true. There are a vast number of people who have a real estate license, but how do you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, co-worker, go with a large or small firm, pick the agent that sounds like they are number 1 or have the most awards? There are always exceptions to every rule but here are some tips to apply when you want to hire your next Orlando Realtor.
One of the first rules you will want to apply is
Experience
The real estate industry has lots of part-timers and inexperienced agents. Real estate whether buying and selling is your largest financial purchase and investment. You want to find an agent who has at least 2 years of experience under their belt and I would also say has at least 30 transactions that have successfully closed. Again this is just a starting point and a bare minimum guideline.
Next, you will want to consider their
Education
Did you know all you need to do to get a real estate license is to take a class and then sit for the state test and you are free to start selling real estate. Kind of scary if you ask me. While there are numerous advanced real estate education courses available, the only technical and competence based program available nationwide is the Graduate, REALTORS® Institute (GRI) series, which is administered under the direction of the National Association of REALTORS®.
A Realtor who completes the fifteen eight-hour modules, and passes examinations, may then use the designation of GRI. While only 15%-20% of agents have earned this accreditation. There are also other educational specialities that an agent may hold like Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist - this designation assures affluent buyers and sellers that the agents who have earned it have the knowledge, experience, competence, and confidence they require. Members of The Institute who hold the CLHMS designation have documented performance in the TOP 10% of their markets, and have successfully demonstrated their expertise in the luxury home and estate market.
Lastly, you will want to conduct an
Interview
When choosing an agent ask friends, family and co-workers for referrals. Look them up on the web. Do they even have a presence? Make some notes and call a few agents or email them and set some informal interviews. You want to make sure 1) The agent has the experience you need and 2) You like them, this is someone you will be spending a lot of time with as a buyer or seller and you want to make sure your personalities mesh and you are comfortable working with them.
Now that gets me back to the agents that claim to be number 1. If you are choosing an agent because of what you read that they are number 1, Top 10 in their market etc, ask them to prove it, ask them what was that criteria based on? I see agents all the time that claim this and have to laugh as there is nothing to back up their claim or they leave out the fact that they are number in their office of 10 people, because they did 1 deal.
By following the guidelines above you will find that there are excellent agents that work for both big and small firms, independent and franchised. In todays market the internet has changed the way we do business and how that information is found. If you list your home with RE/MAX, your house will not only be featured on their site but also Century 21 or John Smiths Realty and about countless other sites and vice versa if you were to list with John Smith Realty, your home will be featured on RE/MAX as well. The real decision must be made on the individuals ability to get the job done and who you will be working with day to day.
If you are looking to interview a Realtor to help you buy or sell real estate in the Central Florida area, I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your real estate needs.