5 Tips for Choosing a Realtor

After 8 years of working in real estate, I've worked with some great agents and some not-so-great agents. Here are 5 tips for finding an agent that will help you navigate your home purchase, instead of causing you headaches.

1. Ask around. The first place to start looking for a buyer's agent is by asking friends and family. Did they like their agent? How was their experience? Recommendations are a good place to start, but don't feel pressured to use a referral either. Go through the rest of the tips before deciding.

2. Check credentials. Is their license current or are there any complaints registered about them? Do they have advanced accreditation, such as ABR (Accredited Buyer's Representative) or CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), or are they members of their local real estate board or the National Association of REALTORS®? Designations aren't everything, but they do show commitment to the profession. Don't hesitate to ask to see their sales volume or references. An agent who is active and recommended must be doing something right.

3. Have a trial period. If he or she doesn't mention it first, ask to sign a buyer's contract for the day so that you can see how you work together. Think of it as dating — you didn't marry the first person who asked you to dinner. Did the agent understand what you were looking for and is that represented in the day's showings? They'll get paid if you decide to purchase any of the properties they show you, and you're not stuck with them if you can't stand to be in the same car by the end of the day.

4. Trust your gut. If after your day out with your potential agent, something doesn't feel right, listen to your intuition. You should like your agent and know that they have your best interests in mind. You could be working with them for a year or more, so if there's a personality clash or a trust issue, find someone else.

5. Sign a contract. A buyer representative contract protects both you and your agent. If you don't have a contract, your real estate agent is legally a facilitator of the transaction and doesn't represent your interests. The buyer fee is always paid by the seller, anyway, so it doesn't cost you any money to use a buyer's agent.

Hopefully these tips help your real estate transaction go smoothly. Happy house hunting!


How did you find your real estate agent? What tips would you add?

Simple Inexpensive Touches to Make Your Home Stand Out on the Market

If you are trying to sell your home in this market then you know the competition is tough. There are short sales and foreclosures galore - all competing with you for a handful of buyers.

What can you do to stand out? Buyers in this market are looking for the best deal. That means your property really has to look its best to attract buyers who would be willing to pay a little more because they feel like they are really getting a better product.

Here are some inexpensive things you can do to make your property stand out:

1. Lighting. Make sure rooms are well lit. Get higher wattage bulbs if possible. Make sure all the lights work. I can't tell you how many times I walk into a home with a buyer and the lights don't work. Gloomy spaces don't make buyers want to hang around.

2. De-clutter. Get rid othe clutter and personal trinkets. Remember you are trying to sell the house. People need to see the space and feel themselves in that space. If a space has too much stuff in it or has family pictures that make it seem like someone else's space, they can't picture themselves in the home.

3. Freshen up the paint. Neutral, natural tones. This is especially true in kids rooms. Don't show the house with kids colors in the kids rooms. Buyers will not pay top dollar for a house Also, take a look at your trim - does it need touching up too. Also, look at the exterior. Does the siding need freshening up. What about the front door? Does it stand out and look inviting? These are small paint jobs that can make the home present really well.

4. Smells. If you have pets, especially. Invest in some room deodorizers. Bueyrs want to feel like a home is fresh, not stale. Try to air your home out some as we enter spring. Also, if your house is going to be shown that day, try not to cook anything whose smell may linger during the showing.