| The Twin Cities Fox News affiliates' investigative | | | | will need a Realtor that is available to you. If you |
| team recently ran a new segment on mortgage | | | | are more laid back, you might prefer a Realtor |
| and real estate fraud. A man was allegedly bilked | | | | with a similar style. |
| out of nearly half a million dollars by a loan officer | | | | Do you prefer to use email or the phone as your |
| and real estate agent he met in a bar! The story | | | | main source of information? |
| is not a new one but what struck me was the "in | | | | Some Realtors are very computer savvy and will |
| a bar" statement. How many people are selecting | | | | answer an email within the hour. Others answer |
| their advisor on real estate over a beer in the | | | | emails once a week or less. There are Realtors |
| local tavern? Let's think about this a minute. One | | | | who return calls only one time a day or week. |
| of the biggest, most important investments in a | | | | There are others that always answer their own |
| person's life and they rely on an acquaintance in a | | | | phone and others that have an assistant to field |
| bar? I hope they at least ordered some | | | | calls and answer basic questions. |
| appetizers before they signed the contracts! | | | | Are you into gadgets? |
| The average American will buy or sell a home | | | | If you are listening to your Zune while you surf |
| only 2-3 times during their lifetime. It is imperative | | | | the net on your wireless laptop, you might prefer |
| to have a logical process to select a real estate | | | | working with an agent who presents your market |
| agent. Purchasing and selling a dwelling for your | | | | analysis in a Powerpoint presentation or emails it |
| family is a very emotional situation. If you chose | | | | to you in a pdf file. If you prefer a paper |
| an agent wisely, you will be confident that your | | | | document to refer back to and make notes on, a |
| Realtor is on your side through the entire | | | | Realtor with more a more traditional style might |
| purchase and/or sale even when emotions are | | | | be what you need. |
| running high. | | | | Do you have expensive tastes and exclusive |
| As a Realtor in Minnesota, I love assisting people | | | | brands? Or are you more conservative? |
| to find the perfect home. My clients come from | | | | If you like the finer things in life, you might prefer |
| the referrals of past clients as well as open | | | | a Realtor who drives a BMW and signs your |
| houses and other marketing avenues. When I | | | | contract with a Mont Blanc pen. If you are more |
| meet a potential client, I expect questions about | | | | conservative, a Realtor in a Ford F250 that uses |
| myself and my business. I answer additional | | | | personalized ballpoints might be more your style. |
| questions about the Twin Cities metro real estate | | | | Step TWO |
| market and specifics about homes available. Not all | | | | Research |
| of these potential clients ask relevant questions. | | | | Now that you have answered these questions, |
| They can already be caught up in the emotional | | | | you have a bit of an idea as to what you are |
| buying process or a major life change. Here is a | | | | looking for. Armed with this information, it is time |
| great step-by-step approach to selecting the | | | | for the second step. Research websites of |
| perfect Realtor for you. Part one of this article | | | | potential agents BEFORE you meet them. Read |
| outlines how you can prepare yourself to set up | | | | their profiles and determine what their style is. If |
| meetings with potential Realtors. Part two will give | | | | you cannot ascertain their style from their site, |
| you specific questions you can ask of potential | | | | move to the next agent. There are hundreds of |
| agents so that you can make a good decision. | | | | good agents out there. But if they cannot market |
| Step ONE | | | | themselves, how will they be able to market your |
| Ask YOURSELF these six questions? | | | | home? Come up with a list of 4 or 5 potential |
| Who do you trust for advice? | | | | agents and visit your state's department of |
| Is it a parent or grandparent? Maybe a close | | | | commerce website to check for violations on |
| friend or uncle? Or is it your sibling or boss? Think | | | | each potential agent's record. Also, check |
| about the qualities that person possesses and | | | | independent local sources like the Mpls/St Paul |
| why you look at them as an advisor. If your | | | | Magazine's listing of Super Agents. |
| trusted advisor is your grandfather, you might | | | | Now you are ready to interview the potential |
| prefer working with someone older. If you tend | | | | agents. Get some great questions ready so that |
| to bring your problems to your best friend, you | | | | you can find the best Realtor for you. Having |
| might want a Realtor with similar characteristics to | | | | trouble coming up with great questions? Real |
| your friend. | | | | Estate Agent Selection Primer--How to Choose |
| How demanding are you? | | | | the BEST Realtor for YOU! (Part Two of Two) |
| If you are an impatient person who needs | | | | will give you some advice. |
| answers as soon as you think of a question, you | | | | |