Tips For Finding A "Good" Real Estate Agent

There are a lot of good Real Estate Agents out there who really do care about the success of your transaction and they just happen to get paid for it, too. It is when Agents get greedy and put the money before the person that they start to go "bad."

Unfortunately the bad guys have fostered a bit of a bad reputation on the group as a whole, leaving the good guys in a position to have to work extra hard to prove their goodness and worthiness of your business. A good agent never puts the money first and sincerely is motivated by being a part of putting you in your new home and the impact that has on you.

So how do you find that "good apple"? It starts with a phone call. You have found a house you would like to see while browsing a website or set your sights on a certain company for one reason or another. You call an agent from that company to show you a house. Upon that first meeting, scrutinize the agent as much as the house! First off, if he rubs you the wrong way, don't call him again. I am completely against putting agents to work and not getting them paid, but this first meeting is a freebie. Further, you owe it to yourself to find someone that no only doesn't repel you, but whose company you actually enjoy! You are potentially going to be spending a lot of time with this person so set yourself up for a pleasant experience. Call someone different each time until you find one who appeals to you.

The day you meet the guy who appeals to you, start asking questions. Conduct an interview. Your Realtor is the biggest asset you have in this huge step you are about to make. Ask how long he's been selling houses, does he like it, what does he like about it, ask about the philosophy of his company, what kind of pets he has, whatever. There isn't really any right or wrong answers in most cases, but the WAY he answers is what you're gauging. Is there a trust forming? If so, this is probably your guy. Start sharing a little bit about yourself with him, and what you are trying to accomplish. If you feel he has a good understanding, compassion, and has some good ideas to move forward, let him start looking for the houses and be sure to call him again when you need help.

To take it a step further, you will really get your Agent to bend over backwards for you if you sign a buyer's agency agreement with him. This tells him that you understand that you are his top priority and to show your appreciation you are going to work with him and only him and whether it takes you three weeks or three months to find you a house, when you buy a house he will get paid for his time and resources spent. Now you've got two parties, mutual respect and enjoyment, house shopping together, negotiating together, and meeting challenges together. You have found your "good apple" and paved the way to a happy, successful transaction.

Julia Vakulenko is a licensed broker associate with Tampa4U.com Realty. She has one of the hardest working Tampa Real Estate team in Florida specializing in Tampa Condos and also in2Va Team for Northern Virginia Real Estate.