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Real
Estate Agent Checklist
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Friendly Version)
General
Guidelines
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Determine
your housing needs and choose a desired
area. |
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Consider
what kind of agent you want - regular
agent or a buyer's agent. In brief, a
buyer's agent will negotiate the best
price and terms of sale for the buyer -
not for the seller. Regular real estate
agents are obligated to get the highest
possible price for the seller. |
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Make sure
agent is a member of the National
Association of Realtors. |
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Ask agent
for recommendations. |
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Ask for the
agent's credentials. Agents receive
several designations:
| GRI |
Graduate
of the Realtors Institute |
| CRS |
Certified
Real Estate Specialist - requires
a minimum number of closed
transactions, a GRI or 10 years of
experience and extra hours of
study. |
| Broker |
an
agent with a broker's license is
generally more experienced than an
agent with a sales associate's
license. |
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Work with a
full-time agent who is flexible, helpful,
and never too busy to take your calls. Be
wary if the agent's assistant is
continually answering your questions and
handling the showings. |
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Choose an
agent who will really listen and show as
much interest in your satisfaction as in
making the transaction. |
For Buyers
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Make sure
the agent does the driving. Ask them to
provide you with listing printouts of the
homes on your tour; they make a handy
reference during the showings. |
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Request that
the agent bring their instant camera to
make snapshots of the exteriors of homes
you like best. After touring several
homes, the snapshot will make it easier to
recall your memories of the home. |
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Bring an
area map with you during the tours. Have
the agent help you place the homes on the
map for your later reference. |
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Make sure
agent has full access to the area's
Multiple Listing Service. This service
gives you the listing of all properties,
not just properties listed with your
realtor's company. |
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Make sure
the agent is familiar with the area in
which you wish to buy your home. Ask
questions about schools, shopping and
recreational activities. Their answers
should be thorough. |
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If things
are not going according to plan, discuss
and try to solve the situation with them.
If you can't, find another agent. |
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Don't
succumb to pressure or the phrase
"someone is making an offer on that
house". Take your time, make your
offer, and say no if you do not feel
comfortable. |
For Sellers
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Ask to see
agent's marketing plan. Be wary of
promises of open houses and mass agent
tours. Your concern should be their
ability to properly price your home and
represent your interests once they are
under contract. |
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Ask agent to
explain their policy on "Dual
Agency". This occurs when an agent in
the listing agent's office brings in a
contract on the property. Since they both
work for the same broker, they cannot give
you single agency representation. If they
don't have a policy, or cannot explain it
clearly, continue your search. |
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Make sure
your contract with the agent has an
"out" if things are not going
according to plan. Most agents will not
have a problem signing a listing agreement
for 60-90 days. If you are satisfied with
them you can do a second or third 60-day
listing. Keep in mind expensive homes may
take longer to sell. |
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