Re: How do you find a really good realtor?

ccassaday · ‎10-21-2010

@qualitygal wrote:
@millieshops, thanks for that info.

I also wonder, any idea if you'd recommend open houses? Or if not, how are you really sure what the price of the home should be? I should say this is about selling, not buying.

See if you can find houses in your area that have recently sold that were similar to your house. We have had two houses in our addition sell recently so we have a good idea what to list our house for. My brother in law who is a realtor has also given us a list of comparables. It also depends on the market. Where I am at there are very few houses in our price range and tons of families looking to but no houses. So it's a sellers market and we can ask a little more. Ours will be going up for sale in a few weeks. Also open houses right now where I live are useless. Houses are sold within a few hours of going on the market. Some are even putting in offers by looking at pictures on line and not even seeing house in person.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

Thanks to all for your suggestions. Will take all under consideration.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

We chose someone from the neighborhood.A man who does this full time to support his family , not a soccer mom who only works when it is convenient.

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

It was by chance that we found our realtor. He's a great guy! He sold our house 20 years ago and we ended up selling it to the first couple that walked through it, 5 hours later it was sold! He helped us with the buying/building of our home we were going to move into. Years later, when my father passed away we had this same realtor sell my dad's condo. We got top dollar and only a 3 weeks wait before he found a buyer. Then when my dh retired, 2 years ago, we contacted this same realtor to sell our house. Again after only a few weeks on the market he found us a buyer! I wish everyone could have as good as experience that we've had with this guy!

"Pure Michigan"

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

Never used one. Have purchased two homes and sold one home without the middleman.

ccassaday · ‎10-21-2010

My brother in law will be our realtor, He does appraising now and only sells real estate if a family member or close friend asks him to help.

qvcfreak · ‎03-10-2010

@CAcableGirl2, you are so right about signing a long contract. When I sold my home in 2015 I signed a month contract and the realtor was awful. Good thing it was just a short month. One of my co-workers recommended another realtor went with her and she sold my home in one week, first showing.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@qualitygal wrote:
@millieshops, thanks for that info.

I also wonder, any idea if you'd recommend open houses? Or if not, how are you really sure what the price of the home should be? I should say this is about selling, not buying.

Choose a larger company that has lots of web presence and does a lot of advertising. You have to get people through the house to sell it.

List it for 10 percent more than the realtor recommends to start off. You can always lower the price, can't always raise it!

Look for the realtor's track record in selling homes. You want someone who turns property. Also check around with local people who might have an idea

You aren't just looking for someone "nice" you are looking for someone who sells property and acts intrested in your house. Also, look at how many houses in your price range the office sells. If it's all big houses, little houses, or houses in other areas, it may not be the best choice.

Don't get a new agent; don't get someone part time.