Choosing a Realtor

Choosing a REALTOR to assist in one’s home purchase is a personal preference. Some people still believe they can find out everything they need to know to purchase a home by doing extensive Internet research (they can’t), some think that because they already live in the area they know exactly where they want to move (that’s fine – but there’s a WHOLE lot more to do/know than “just finding the house".), some have had a bad experience in the past with a REALTOR and assume that every REALTOR in the future will be bad (surely McDonald’s has sold at least one bad burger in the past, but people still go there), and some would like to use a REALTOR to buy a home or sell their existing one, because they know that a good one will save them time and money, but don’t know where to go, who to ask, or even what constitutes a good real estate agent!

Well I hope before you leave my web site you will recognize the need and importance of utilizing the services of a good REALTOR to assist in your next home sell/purchase, and hopefully that REALTOR will be me! But if not, at least compare my credentials with theirs, and compare my answers to the questions below with the same questions to them, and see which one you would feel more confident assisting you.

Are you a full-time REALTOR and member of NAR (National Association of Realtors)? Yes – since 1984.
Are you a real estate agent or Broker (Brokers have additional qualifying standards to meet than agents)? Broker – since 1986 – and owner of two Real Estate companies - Southwest Prime Investments (commercial) and Showcase of Homes (residential)
How long have you been licensed (experience)? Since 1984
Do you list/sell in only certain areas? Sales – all areas; Listings – only certain market areas
Will you return phone calls/emails promptly? Yes – within one hour when possible, but within 24 hours GUARANTEED
Will you personally assist me through the entire transaction, or refer (“farm me out”) me to another agent? I assist from home search to closing – I GUARANTEE my services – I cannot guarantee someone else’s, even if that person works with/for me
Will you give me honest feedback? Yes – I tell you what you NEED to know, not always what you WANT to hear. That goes from what your home should sell for (some agents “stretch the listing price” to obtain the owner’s signature), to advising you a home is overpriced, even though it means not making a sell.
Will I have to sign a contract to buy or sell? Yes – Legally, in order to enter into a “fiduciary” relationship, a Listing Agreement (for seller’s) or Buyer Agency Agreement (for buyer’s) must be signed. Any real estate agent that does not require this cannot/will not be working in ONLY your interests (called “dual agency).
Are you qualified to sell new and resale homes? Yes – NEW HOME CERTIFICATION – 1989; member of Austin Multiple Listing Service (MLS), Austin Board of REALTORS, National Association of REALTORS since 1984.
Will you be available for assistance AFTER we move in? Yes – for repairmen, pool companies, landscapers, etc. – just contact me.

That’s not all the questions to ask, but certainly a good start. By this time you will have an idea if the REALTOR you are interviewing has the qualifications you are looking for to assist in your home sell or home search. Good Luck!