How to Choose a REALTOR
As with any industry each REALTOR® or team varies in experience, services and personality. What you're looking for is not only "the best" but the best fit for you so interview a few and don't be afraid to ask questions. Your home is likely your biggest asset so you want to be comfortable with the professional you choose, be able to communicate with them, know that they're listening to you and have confidence in their knowledge and experience.
- Get referrals from family, friends or other professional people that you work with that have had experience with a REALTOR®.
- Check out the current For Sale signs in the local neighbourhoods that you where you live. Who are the area experts?
- Research online. Use REALTOR.ca and check out their personal websites. Where are they working? What tools are they using?
- Choose someone who is experienced in the Shuswap and Salmon Arm Real Estate Market
Whoever you contact should reply to you within a reasonable amount of time and in a professional manner. Contact Jeff Stacer and his team.
What questions should you ask?
- Do you work full time or part time as a REALTOR®? - Expect the professional you hire to be able to work when needed. When you're in the midst of an offer you want to know they can focus on your negotiations in a timely fashion, not be unavailable for long periods of time. It's reasonable to expect them to be reachable days, evenings and weekends if necessary.
- How long have you been a REALTOR®? How long have you lived/worked in Salmon Arm and/or The Shuswap? - Experience counts and relevant experience counts even more. Make sure they are well informed on the neighbourhood where your house is located.
- What is your average list-to-sales-price ratio? What is your average Days On Market? - How long can you expect your house to be on the market and how close will you get to your asking price. A competent REALTOR® will have a track record of negotiating sale prices that are very close to list price.
- How will you market my home? - every REALTOR® uses different tools to market their listings and they should be able to provide you with a list and examples of previous ads, fliers, websites etc.
- Will you be handling all aspects of my transaction or do you have associates/assistants that handle some tasks? What are those tasks? - Some people work alone, some with an assistant, some with a team. Ask what tasks the REALTOR® will handle personally so you know what to expect.
- When are you available and how do I reach you? - You want to know that you can reach them when you need to.
- What do you charge? - all real estate fees are negotiable but be sure you're not just comparing dollars but services provided as well. When you sign a listing contract the REALTOR® is required to list what services they will provide. Just because 2 REALTORS® have similar fees doesn't mean they have all the same tools and abilities.
- What kind of guarantee do you offer? - If you sign a listing contract with the REALTOR® and later find that you are unhappy with the arrangement will the REALTOR® and the brokerage let you cancel the agreement?