| Real estate transactions tend to be either extremely | | | | Agents rely on referrals from satisfied former clients in |
| stressful or very pleasurable experiences. Ask anyone | | | | order to be successful. Ask co-workers, friends, family |
| and you will hear opposing views, based largely on the | | | | members, neighbors, mortgage brokers, and other |
| individual's experience with his or her real estate agent. | | | | agents who do not specialize in your services for the |
| Knowing how to find a good agent seems to be the | | | | name of a reputable agent with whom they have |
| determining factor in whether an individual will want to | | | | dealt. Also, mention the names of some agents you |
| buy or sell another piece of property. | | | | are considering, to make sure that acquaintances have |
| The best real estate agents are often not those who | | | | not heard anything bad about their performance. A |
| pepper their faces all over television and print | | | | happy client or associate will not hesitate to |
| advertisements. The most effective professionals | | | | recommend an agent that exceeded service |
| listen to their clients and work ethically and diligently to | | | | expectations. |
| achieve the desired results. They have a strong | | | | Another way to find a good agent is to look online at |
| knowledge of local market conditions, property | | | | the profiles of those employed by the top real estate |
| inventory, and the latest relevant legislation. Look at the | | | | companies in the area. Attend an open house being |
| listing signs in the area to identify whose names are on | | | | held by these agents, interact with them, and get their |
| the listings that sell quickly. These professionals get | | | | business cards. If you plan to sell, take notes regarding |
| results and they may be more effective than an agent | | | | the agent's knowledge, use of promotional materials, |
| who has a large volume of listings but is not doing | | | | and level of interactivity during the open house. |
| anything with them. | | | | Knowing how to find a good agent in an efficient |
| Many people are not aware that there is a difference | | | | manner will make the home buying or selling process |
| between a Realtor® and a real estate agent. Less | | | | transpire much more quickly and much less painfully. |
| than 50 percent of all agents have joined the National | | | | Ask acquaintances for referrals to a real estate agent |
| Association of Realtors and thus may call themselves | | | | or Realtor®, look at neighborhood signs, and conduct |
| a Realtor®. The association has a Code of Ethics | | | | an online search to find the profiles of agents with the |
| that Realtors® must promise to follow. This Code | | | | top local real estate agencies. Then attend an open |
| stipulates standards of conduct that exceed current | | | | house and see how the agent interacts with potential |
| legal requirements. If this factor is important to you, | | | | buyers. This will yield valuable information and the best |
| verify whether the agents under consideration are | | | | agent will rise to the top of the list. |
| Realtors®. | | | | |