Posts Tagged choosing a real estate agent
Boston Real Estate – Choosing the Right Boston Real Estate Agent
As a successful Boston real estate agent, it always puzzled me how and why some people choose particular Boston real estate agents to sell their homes. For most of us, a real estate purchase is the single largest investment we will ever make in our lives. Still, when it comes time to capitalize on this investment many home sellers are much too casual and have very low standards for the person they choose to handle the sale of their property.
I can cite many examples of poor decision making when it comes to home-sellers choosing a real estate agent, but there is one example from my experience that really boggled my mind.
I received a call from a woman about six months ago who asked me to do a Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) of her Boston Condo. (I gladly obliged and confirmed a time to meet with her and to tour her property.) The CMA process typically entails an initial tour of the subject property, comprehensive market research to produce a report, and an in-depth, in-person listing presentation. After meeting the client, viewing the property, doing the necessary research and presenting my report, I was certain that this woman would list her property with me. She disclosed to me that she had interviewed five other Boston realtors and that she was by far most impressed with my presentation and me. She cited my track record selling Boston real estate and Boston condos, my knowledge of the Boston real estate market, and my professionalism as the reasons she viewed me as the most qualified real estate agent to sell her home. She also disclosed to me that my service charge was identical to the five other agents she interviewed so price wasn’t an objection I would have to overcome.
Tags: boston condos, boston real estate, choosing a real estate agent, comparable market analysis, comprehensive market, initial tour, necessary research, poor decision, real estate agent, subject propertyRelated posts
Be Careful When Choosing A Real Estate Agent — Advice From A Former Realtor
Let me start by offering my credentials. After all, what good is advice from someone who lacks any credible knowledge or experience on the topics about which he or she purports to be an expert?
I was a licensed real estate agent in New England (I am deliberately vague for reasons that will later become obvious). I took the courses required to even sit for the real estate exam and subsequently passed the exam with one of the highest scores on record for that state. Even my broker was shocked to learn that I scored better on my exam than he had. Thereafter, I became a member of the National Association of Realtors, earning the right to the title of Realtor. I paid my required dues, and they were substantial, and attended all the required continuing education to maintain my license and Realtor title. I was recruited by and joined the ranks of Century 21, the #1 most recognized and trusted name in real estate, and endured several more weeks of the most intensive training in the industry. I completed an exhaustive course in marketing, wherein I learned all the many facets of competing for listings and representation of buyers. In my first few months as a licensed real estate agent, I grossed more than $2 million in sales. Shortly thereafter, I left New England and my real estate career behind. That, however, is another article in its own right.
Thus, I have first hand knowledge of the many tricks of the trade and marketing exploits employed to win the confidence and, ultimately, the business of homeowners and buyers. Some of these methods are legitimate marketing tools utilized by reputable real estate agents. Others are nothing more than cons designed to manipulate naïve and, perhaps, desperate people into signing contracts that can, and usually do, result in financial hardship for the unwary homeowner or buyer.
Please do not misunderstand me. There are a number of extremely dedicated and trustworthy agents out there. I have had the privilege of working with some of them myself. Even so, I doubt I have to elaborate on the reasons why real estate agents are the subject of so much scrutiny and distrust. In recent years, real estate agents have been the target of numerous lawsuits alleging fraud, misrepresentation and negligence. Much like lawyers and used car salesmen, real estate agents have earned a nasty reputation as sleazy, money-hungry vultures in polyester suits. I, for one, never wore polyester! More importantly, my extremely heightened sense of justice precluded me from mastering the finer points of consumer deception. My opinions, therefore, on the tactics of some of the masters were not well received.
Tags: agent advice, association of realtors, choosing a real estate agent, financial hardship, hand knowledge, intensive training, licensed real estate, national association of realtors, real estate career, trustworthy agentsRelated posts