Have you ever heard of the 80/20 rule and wondered if it applies to a Realtor in Raleigh NC? It applies to most things in life. You earn 80% of your money from 20% of your efforts. 20% of the pros make 80% of the money. It holds true for Realtors also. 20% of Realtors wind up doing 80% of the business. So how do you find the best real estate agent for you? The best agent for you is not the one that has the most listings, works at the largest brokerages, or does the most advertising. The best agent for you is the one that listens to your needs and wants, has the time to spend with you, and that you like well enough to trust and confide in.
Here are seven things to look for when choosing the right Realtor in Raleigh NC.
1. Realtors and real estate agents:
In North Carolina you have to have your broker’s license to be a real estate agent. But you do not have to be a Realtor to be an agent. Realtors belong to the National Association of Realtors and pledge to follow the Realtors Code of Ethics , which are a comprehensive list containing 17 articles and standards of practice. This code establishes higher levels of conduct than ordinary business practices and less than half of all agents are Realtors.
2. Referrals:
Real estate agents stay in business because they get referrals and satisfied customers who return. You should always ask around to see if any of your friends or family knows of any good agents. Successful agents make it a point to make sure their clients are satisfied and happy. The agent that your friends proclaim the loudest as being great will probably be the one the goes out of the way to help you.
3. Find agents online:
There are plenty of agents to be found online but that doesn’t mean a lot. They may be the ones paying the most money for web designs and SEO (search engine optimization). Find an agent near you and interview them and see if it is a good fit. You cannot like everyone and all agents will not fit your personality style. Find one you like!
4. Open Houses:
You can meet some agents at open houses and have a chance to interact with them. You will also be able to ask questions and collect business cards. Get the cards, ask questions, and take notes. Pat attention to how the agent treats you and others. Does he/she talk on the phone the whole time, sit and read a book, or greet each person and ask what they are looking for in a house.
5. Results:
The agent with the most signs may be the one with trouble selling them. Check out when a sign goes up in the neighborhood. Keep track of how long before a sold sign goes up. A lot of times a quick turnaround means the agent is good for that area.
6. Advertising:
Realtors get two benefits from advertising. The first benefit is to showcase the specific property. But they also get to advertise themselves. Find agents who are advertising property in your area and ask them about their experience.
7. Recommendations from other professionals:
Get referrals from other agents. Agent will refer buyers to buyer’s agents and buyer’s agents will refer clients to listing agents. Many will do both but some will only do one or the other and there are some who only do commercial work. Call a broker and ask for a recommendation. Pros will recommend other Pros.
If you are serious about buying a house, you need to get someone who is a good fit, very experienced, ans has plenty of time to work with you. If you keep use one or more of these seven tips or insights you will be able to choose a great Realtor in Raleigh NC.