How Do I Choose An Agent?

Humorous Yet Seriously Insightful Advice 

Launching into buying or selling a home may seem like a daunting task, but if you select the right agent to work with, it can be one of the easiest, most fun, and rewarding things you will ever do. Sounds easy enough, until you go to Google and search “agent Kirkland” or “home buying Seattle” and get back millions of results. Or you may be referred to 1-3 Realtors from friends, family, or co-workers. With so many choices, how are you supposed to know which agent to entrust your experience with? There are a lot of factors to take into account when selecting an agent or real estate brokerage to work with.

Luckily, I’ve been able to lay out a very simple, 5-step process to make sure that you end up with the right agent for you!

So what do you do now? An expirament: Take those two pieces of paper and on the first piece of paper make a list of all the agents who are Realtors that have successful closings in your area and consistently great reviews from their clients. On the other piece of paper, list out all of the agents that do not have the Realtor designation and can say the same thing. Then take the list of all non-Realtor agents and crumple it into a ball and throw it into the recycling bin. Proceed to Step #2.

2.  Now you should have one piece of paper with only Realtor's listed on it. The next thing to do is search for the “About Us” or "Agent Bio" or “Company” section on their websites. If on this page you don’t find an actual name of a person or a photo of a person, cross that company off your list. Why is this important? Just like you want a phone number to call when you need something, you also want a real person that you can identify with on the other end of the phone and can be conveniently reached - not a mysterious entity. Proceed to Step #3.

3.  We are getting closer to picking the right next broker for your home sale. Now you should have a list of brokers that are designated Realtors, have a phone number that they can be reliably reached on (not just their assistant or voicemail). The next step is to search for references. Be careful on this step, a reference comes from another human being. Don’t be misled by websites flashing logos of national companies that you may recognize. You are looking for references from actual human beings that you could pick up the phone and ask them about their experience with the company. A broker should be able to provide you with a list of references or you should be able to access them directly from their website. (as done here!) For all the companies that don’t have true references, cross them right off your list. Proceed to Step #4.

4.  Now your list should be getting shorter, as we are down to the brokers that are designated Realtors, have a phone number where they can be easily reached and have customers using their service repeatedly and recommending their service. Now you need to make sure each one of those companies is 100% focused on the local market they work in. If you notice a broker/company on your list that also offers Nicuraguan vacation homes, rentals in Tacoma, foreclosures in Bellingham, car washes, monkey training, or anything else besides working with properties like the one you want to buy or sell in your immediate, specific marketplace, cross them off your list. Why is this important? Have you ever seen a baseball player play a different position each new inning? No, and why is that? A baseball player realizes that if they focus on being the best at one thing, it’s much easier than trying to be the best at everything. Proceed to Step #5.

5.  Now that you have a Realtor with a phone number and real customers that use the service in the area you want to buy/sell in, it’s all about how easy and great the service from that broker is. The "Click" factor.  This one is pretty simple: Spend 30-90 minutes with each broker on the phone or preferrably with them at their office. You should feel comfortable with that person, feel that they are attentive, see them demonstrate that they have knowledge of the market, they have your best interests at hand, and have a strong sense of marketing/negotiation. They also need to have agood sense of technology and social marketing. If you don’t get it - that "click" -  after that amount of time, cross them off your list. A successful transaction is based on mutual loyalty and respect. If you can't see yourself working with this person long term or get a feel that you could be better represented elsewhere, don't waste their time or yours. 

That’s it, now you have a list of Realtors with a phone number, references, is focused on the area you want to buy/sell in, has a website that is easy to use, and you actually like and will do business with. That’s all we can do to guide you in the right direction. The final decision is strictly up to you. If you follow all of the above steps and listen to your gut feeling, in the end, you will have selected the right agent to work with.

And the sooner you select your agent, the sooner you can get started on the fun stuff—actually shopping for or selling your home!