1. Hire Experience.
Real estate is a profession with a fairly low barrier to entry, meaning it’s relatively simple for someone to get a real estate license. What isn’t simple however, is being a good Realtor (let alone a great Realtor). Thousands of new agents get their license every year – do you want to be their guinea pig? A shocking number of Panhandle Realtors sell 0 to 1 properties per year – do you want to be their one sale per year? Ask the important questions: How long have you been in the business? How many properties do you sell a year?
2. Hire Expertise.
Selling rent houses is different than selling luxury homes or selling land. Representing a Seller is different than representing a Buyer. What is your prospective Realtor’s expertise?
3. Hire a Neighborhood Pro.
A Realtor who sells in your target neighborhood will be a lot more valuable to you than someone who’ll drive all over the Panhandle for a commission check. Top Realtors know what they know AND they know what they don’t know. Be wary of a Realtor offering to sell your property in an area that they’ve never had any listings in before or if the property has amenities that are out of their scope of knowledge.
4. Don’t Work with Friends or Family.
Yes, everyone has a friend in real estate, or worse, knows a guy who knows a girl who’s married to a guy who just got his license – but business and friendship rarely ever mix. If you can fire your friend and not damage the friendship, then by all means, hire away. But it usually doesn’t turn out that way.
5. You Get What you Pay for.
In Amarillo, real estate services come in all shapes and sizes: you can merely do for sale by owner and do everything yourself; you can list with a discount broker who provides limited services; or you can list with a full service broker and get the marketing, expertise and strategy that comes with higher commissions. Decide what you need, what you’re prepared to pay for and pick accordingly.
6. Houses Don’t Just Sell Themselves.
Don’t believe anyone who tells you that simply putting a listing on MLS will result in the highest possible price. Ask a lot of questions about marketing, pricing and strategy – and make sure they’re on top of new techniques and technology.
7. People are more likely to buy a product that their friend likes…
And for good reason. Ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations of Realtors they’ve had great experiences with.
8. Past Performance is the Best Predictor of Future Performance.
Check online for recommendations and reviews and ask your prospective agent for testimonials. Better yet, ask to call or e-mail past clients for feedback – before you sign any agreements. And always ask a prospective Realtor what percentage of their business comes from repeat clients and referrals – that’s one of the best ways to gage how happy their clients truly are.
9. Who are you Actually Hiring?
Some top agents will meet with you once, then pawn you off to their part-time assistants. If help is involved, make sure they are full-time, licensed agents that work as a cohesive team with your agent. If your goal is to hire the best, make sure that you’ll actually get to work with the best.
10. Great Realtors have Great Partners.
Experienced Agents have amassed a team of trusted partners, from lenders to lawyers to contractors.
11. Get a second opinion.
Did you know that 73% of people hire the first agent they talk to? Get a second opinion. (shameless plug: give us a call! 806-367-8334)