How to Select a Buyers Agent

How do you choose a realtor?

I think the most important thing to know is that you can, and in fact SHOULD, interview several agents before making a selection.

Buyers, you must realize you will be spending a great deal of time with your realtor. One of the first things you should look for is someone you enjoy being around.

Second in importance is finding a realtor who LISTENS to what you want in a house. An agent should take the time to ask questions to help you figure out what is important in your next home. Nothing is worse than looking at house after house that the agent loves but you don't! You may find that after viewing a few homes what you NEED or WANT in a house evolves or changes. Your agent should be aware of this and prepared to redefine their search to show you homes that meet your new criteria.

Buying a home is one of the most exciting and stressful decisions for most people. Having an agent that makes the process enjoyable makes the most of the excitement and minimizes the stress.

The third and hardest to determine quality you should look for in a buyers agent is someone who is prepared to tactfully and zealously negotiate in you best interest when you make an offer on a house. Realtors are in the business of putting deals together. Your realtor only makes money when a sale is closed. We have a fiduciary duty to act in the interest of our clients, but all agents aren't the savviest negotiators. Years of experience don't necessarily translate to effective negotiation skills. Agents who get defensive or worse offensive when trying to negotiate a sale can kill it while it is still on the table. Look for an intelligent, well informed agent who understands that negotiation is not a school-yard brawl.