How to Choose Your REALTOR

With about 1,100 REALTORs in K-W alone, real estate buyers and sellers have a tremendous amount of choices when it comes to who will be their "guide" in probably the largest financial decision of their lives.

So how exactly should someone choose their real estate advisor?  Do they hire their brother's friend who was just licensed, a REALTOR who is known mostly because of their advertising budget, or the REALTOR who has the skills and experience required and is compatible with everyone who will be making the decisions?

I would suggest the following process whether you are buying or selling:

1. Identify at least 3 potential REALTORS based on what their past clients say about their service.  You want someone who can provide several past client referrals, not just their mom's opinion or the opinion of their best friend who just bought a condo. 

If you want to see what my clients think of my level of service, please check out this site, http://realestateagents.servicerating.ca/agent/Kim_Louie

2. Ask all those being interviewed a preset list of questions? Your REALTOR should be listening to you as much as he or she is talking?  You want to know what types of homes and price-points they have worked in the past, level of training and experience, how they communicate information and when?  Are they full-time REALTORs or do they only practice real estate on a part-time basis?  Even basic things like "How long does it take for you to return an email or phone call?" are important questions.

3. Have the prospective REALTOR back up what they say in writing.  Whether it's a written service guarantee (read the small print!), comparables to back up their opinion of price or the commission structure, it should all be in writing.

4. After interviewing, choose the REALTOR with whom you are most comfortable.  Buying or selling can be stressful and you want to be working with someone you like!

Hopefully this information is helpful and maybe I'll see you at an interview before you buy or sell your next home!