By Nancy Niblett
Finding a real estate agent is not hard to do with what can seem like every other person holding a real estate license but finding an agent with real experience and the qualities that you need to assist you in either buying a home or selling a home is a whole different thing. The last thing you want to do is hire someone who simply holds a real estate license but does not do real estate full time or someone who has done little to no real estate transactions.
In the current real estate market where homes are not always traditional sales but are bank owned and short sale homes it takes a realtor that has plenty of experience both in the past and the more current type of real estate transactions. This business is tougher than it ever has been with all the different types of ways homes are being sold. Be sure you hire someone who has plenty of knowledge in these types of transactions or it could cost you the home of your dreams or the difference between short selling your home or a foreclosure. The risks are far to high to hire just anyone to do this job.
The qualities you want to look for are as we just discussed, experience in the current market as well as years of past experience with traditional sales. You will also want to be sure they do many sales every year so that they are very familiar with the current paperwork, disclosures and qualifications of buyers and sellers.
Talk to potential agents and ask questions that really dig into their experience and knowledge, do not be afraid to ask for references. You can ask approximately how many transactions they handle per year as well as break it down to listings and representing buyers. Listen as they speak, a good real estate agent can come across very knowledgeable within just the first few minutes of a conversation. If you are not sure after a brief phone call, trust your instincts and talk to another agent. As a realtor, my clients can tell from the first time they talk to me that I have the knowledge and experience they need to represent them.
If the realtor cannot explain to you without hesitation the differences between a short sale and a lender owned home or a traditional sale then you know they have not been working in the business heavily in the past few years. Someone that has been working full time will have plenty of experience in all these types of sales.
Nancy Niblett is a highly successful Real Estate Agent specializing in the Chandler area. She credits her success to hard work, integrity and honesty. Clients continue to refer her over and over again. Nancy is one of the most successful award-winning agents. She was awarded the top 50 Individual agents by Phoenix Business Journal for the past several years.