There are websites out there that will tell you some of the following:
- Find the full-time agent, part-time ones don't have your best interest at heart. I disagree.
- Make sure your agent has many designations after his/her name. I disagree.
- Make sure your agent is a cutthroat agent. I disagree
- Make sure your agent has 20+ years of experience. I disagree.
Yes, while a full-time Realtor® can meet with you throughout the day, ask yourself, are you available throughout the day. Or, do you prefer to look at homes or meet with your agent after work so you don't have to take time off of work. Keep in mind, looking for a home, can take several months, looking for my own house took almost a year. Sometimes, full-time agents, don't want to work at night, because they've worked all day. If your agent is serious about his/her business, they will work it out. If it is apparent that this is becoming a problem, move one. However, there are more part-time agents than you may realize. That is, agents that have a second job. The realities are this, many agents don't make a ton of money. Commissions don't last long. The commissions must have taxes taken out of them, a percentage goes to the Broker, advertising/marketing, association fees and dues, training, desk fees (the fees associated with having a space at the brokerage, business supplies (business cards, signs, lockboxes, lockbox keys, access to the MLS etc) and these are recurring fees, not one time fees. Some of these are to be paid monthly regardless if you sell or buy a home that month.
Sure the designations after a Realtor's® name tell's a story, but not all agents will display this information on their website or business cards. What most will do, is show you that they are a Realtor®. For many, that's the most important one to show to the world. We've worked hard to earn that title and Realtors® hold themselves to a higher standard. The ABR, SRS, e-PRO, GRI, MRP and the many others, may not mean much to the general public. However, these do mean the agent has had additional training in various fields. The public once again doesn't always care they just want their house sold or to find a home. That's what matters to them, so many agents don't bother to display them publicly even though they have them.
Yes, you've seen Million Dollar Listings® and other similar shows on TV, and you want that agent to represent you. Please keep in mind you are watching a television show. Also, as shown even on these very same shows, sometimes people don't want to work with you if you are obnoxious, mean-spirited or a flake. It could actually harm your goal. You want an agent that is a good negotiator and is able to work well with others. Trust me when I tell you that it isn't always about the amount of money that is being offered that gets the offer accepted.
While experience is a plus, sometimes the newbies can be a better fit. They are out to build their clientele, they want repeat business and referrals and are willing to go the extra mile to help you. Some of the more experienced agents can become complacent and are resistant to the new technology. They don't text, there's not a lot of online presence for them.
Honestly, sometimes it comes down to one thing....how well do you get along with your agent. Really it doesn't matter how much experience, full-time part-time, all the designations in the world they have or if they've sold a million homes. If you can't stand them and think they are the biggest jerk alive, the rest really doesn't matter now, does it?
When you find your Realtor®, now give them a copy of the letter, they'll need it to submit it with your offer when you find your new home. Most, if not all agents require this letter to be with the offer.
Until next time.
