Naturally, my first thought is, “it’s me”. I would love to say it always is, but sometimes it is not.
Picking your new Columbia SC Real Estate Agent is not like picking a friend. You are picking an adviser, an employee, a teacher, a student, an advertising agent, and many more things all at once. Today you can’t just throw a lockbox on the door, or some MLS sheets in the back of the car to be a good Realtor.
The first thing to look at is experience. This does not necessarily mean time, but experience. Does the Realtor know how to negotiate? Advertise? Listen? Understand and Comprehend? Do they know the Columbia SC Real Estate Market? These of course are all important.
Interview the Realtors you are talking to. Ask them questions, demand answers. It isn’t just about money, but what they can do for that money.
In my job, I am confident that I can do the best job for 90% of the people out there, but one thing I remember is that some personalities clash. I am not pushy, but demanding. I will not list just any house because I will not put my name on things I do not deem sell-able in the Columbia SC Real Estate Market. I will not work with just any buyer, they must be Approved, able to purchase, know generally what they want, and Genuinely want to buy…not just shop around.
I do not mean to sound rude, up-tight, etc…I put my best effort forward for EVERY client I have. I know Columbia, Lexington, Irmo, and Chapin like the back of my hand.
For sellers, I know I will do the best job that I put a 60 day guarantee. Of course there are conditions, but you are made well aware of them.
If you find yourself in a relationship with a Realtor that you do not think works out, let them know. Any buyer or seller can get out of a contract at anytime with me, as long as they are not trying to ‘fake’ me out of a commission I have earned.
Always ask questions, we are supposed to be here to help!
Filed under: About Your Columbia SC Real Estate Agent, Columbia SC Real Estate Buyers, Columbia SC Real Estate Marketing, Sellers | Tagged: Chapin, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington
N. Hunter –
As someone that might be selling my home in the near future, I’d like to ask you some questions in relation to your post.
1. Are there good real estate agents that aren’t Realtors?
2. Since you mentioned looking for experience. I perceive that you possess solid experience as a listing agent. My definition would be someone that has participated in a minimum of 40 transactions as a buyer representative or listing agent.
How many transactions have you closed (i.e. your experience) as a Realtor?
Please post your responses to my questions in the comments section for my review.
Thank You.
J. L. Johnson,
I do believe that there are good Real Estate Agents that are not Realtors. Many people see the NAR (National Association of Realtors) as useless, just like people within any trade may feel about their trade organization.
I do feel experience is important. I feel training is as important if not more. I believe in what Floyd Wickman says about training…”Great Realtors are not born, they are trained.”
I have not reached the 40 transaction mark yet in all honesty, but I will be there shortly. At the end of this month, I will be at 32 transactions.
Is there more to experience than numbers? I believe so.