Every decision you make has the ability to impact your future- the career field you enter, the route you take to work in the morning, what qualities you look for in a new car; you put effort into all of these decisions and realize the significance of them. Shouldn't choosing a Realtor also be a well thought out decision?
A Realtor is similar to an investment banker in that they offer you advice about where to put your money for the best results, whether they be short or long term investments. The title of "real estate agent" belongs to many people- about 340,000 in 2012. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the field will grow by roughly 11% by the year 2022. That being said, you have ALOT of options when it comes to selecting the right agent for your needs.
According the Realtor.com, the definition of a real estate agent is anyone who has earned a license in real estate- this means that they have attended the classes (how many and what type are determined by individual states) and has passed the state licensing test. A REALTOR is the same BUT is held to a national code of ethics. This designation ranks an agent as highly qualified. After that difference, there are many more specifics such as buyers and sellers agents, closing agents, etc. For today, we will speak in slightly more broad terms.
When you are preparing to venture into real estate- be it buying or selling a home- you should really consider the type of person that you want to do business with and what qualities they should possess. For example:
- Is this their full time job?
- How much experience do they have and do I feel comfortable with them having?
- How much effort will they put into my listing/home search?
When you have your desired qualifications listed, start finding agents in your area. This can be by searching the internet, calling a local real estate office [like a Keller Williams ;)], or asking friends and family for referrals. Go over your list and start weeding out those whose qualifications do not meet your desires. Most agents will have websites that list their achievements AND current listings, some have reviews on local websites- be thorough in your research.
Once this large list is narrowed down, start calling and making in person appointments with whomever is left on your list. An in person interview will likely answer more questions than internet research. A good agent will have no qualms going over what information you need in your search and about how they will assist you in getting that information. You should feel completely comfortable with your agent, so don't be shy or beat around the bush during the interview process. If your personalities and goals do not mesh well then this journey into real estate might be long and miserable.
The end goal is for you to be happy with your agent and the direction of your "real estate journey." Don't just leave your dreams and hopes for the future in the hands of someone that you are unsure about. Don't feel bad about "shopping" for agents- it's your right to be an informed consumer!
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