The right real estate agent?

Originally published in the Vernon Morning Star.

Question: How do I find the right real estate agent?

The first thing I want to impress on you is that you DO need to pick A real estate agent. Buyers and Sellers who dart around from realtor to realtor get lower quality service. The reason for this is simple. Realtors are not paid one red cent for their work unless they successfully complete a purchase or a sale. To give of their time and service a realtor must have an expectation of profit (a wage). It does follow that a realtor will put in the most energy and expertise when they know they will get paid. For a realtor to spend time and dollars with a client who is not loyal to that realtor just isn't sensible. The realtors' time is better spent elsewhere.

Choosing a realtor via calling on an ad isn't the way to go. You could get any calibre of realtor ... poor or good.

Please know there is no need for a buyer to call individual realtors on individual listings. Technology, being what it is, means that all realtors have immediate access to all MLS listing information. A buyer needs only to work with their chosen agent who will be sorting through the listings on the buyers behalf looking for homes which match that buyers' criteria. It is almost without exception these days, that the listings are on MLS. Multiple Listing Service is an organized central source of listings. All Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board's realtors send their listings to this one source.

I recommend that you ask around amongst your family, friends and acquaintances. They will tell you who their realtor is and how well their last real estate transaction went. Another good group of people to ask are mortgage representatives and brokers and real estate lawyers. They usually know who the really good realtors are.

Jane Field works with RE/MAX Vernon. Jane has over 30 years experience in the Real Estate business. To suggest topics for future articles or to ask Jane questions, email her or call 503-3755.

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