7 Ways to Avoid a Crummy Real Estate Agent

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ARE YOU SINGLE?
IF THE PERSON IS MARRIED THEN THEY DONT DEPEND ON YOUR SALE TO SURVIVE....AND I MEAN SURVIVE!
ARE YOU A FULL-TIME AGENT?
KINDA PART OF THE FIRST QUESTION, IF THEY ARE SINGLE THIS IS THE NEXT AND FINAL QUESTION
I WAS A REALTOR FOR 13 YEARS. BEING IN THE BUSINESS I SAW FIRST HAND ALMOST ALL HOUSEWIVES EARNING EXTRA INCOME. THEIR HUSBANDS WERE PAYING THE BILLS AND THEY EARNED PLAY MONEY. IT WAS VERY FRUSTRATING IF I INTERVIEWED FOR A LISTING AND A SLACKER GOT IT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY WERE OLDER THAN ME. IMPLYING THEY KNEW MORE WHEN THEY JUST GOT THEIR LICENSE AND HAD A HUSBAND BRINGING HOME THEIR INCOME.
so wise up people...

ricky of MI 2:41PM May 10, 2011

It's interesting to get such a harsh comments from a mortgage loan processor. Lends less credibility to that person's professionalism. I certainly would not that person representing my clients when I take great care to serve and protect their best interest. There are unprofessional and professional people in every career. Smart shopping and high standards are a good idea for each of us when selecting someone to provide us with a service. Even Loan Processors. Let's not stoop to calling names. Our legislators do enough of that.

Jordie of MI 9:39AM February 26, 2011

Some of the comments here are legitimate and certainly understandable. Admittingly so, there are a few bad agents but there are many very trusting and reliable agents who bend over backwards for their clients. The housing climate has been a challenge for the both clients and agents but if they work together as a team and trust your agents advice, then chances are your home will be sold. It has been very difficult for people to trust anyone in the housing business from the bankers down to the agents because of how so called professionals, out of greed, took advantage of those who relied on their expertise to help them, but instead they misused their positions for their own gain. It will be a long time before trust is regained again but I will respect and work diligently for those who entrusted me to help sell their homes.

Norma M. Rogers of OH 8:32PM December 04, 2010

EVEN STUPID REALITORS KNOW THAT IS BETTER TO SELL 1 HOME FOR $300K THAN IT IS TO SELL 3 HOMES FOR $300K... SO DONT EXPECT A REALTOR TO
TREAT YOUR HOUSE LIKE THEIR TRYING TO SELL THE HEFNERS PENTHOUSE...
REALITORS ARE BY NATURE A LAZY..WORTHLESS DO NOTHING BUNCH OF HAPPY HOUR SLACKERS... THE ONLY ADVICE YOU NEED IS.. IF YOU HAVE LISTED WITH A REALTOR FOR 30 DAYS AND NOTHING SUBSTANTIAL HAS HAPPENED ...YOU NEED TO FIRE THEIR BUTTT AND GET ANOTHER ONE...SOONER OR LATER YOU WILL GET ONE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS FOR A LIVING...

MGT LOAN PROCESSOR of AZ 3:45PM December 04, 2010

"If you Google somebody and you can't find their cell phone [number] and you can't find their E-mail and you can't find their [website]—you don't see them marketing themselves on blogs and various websites, on Twitter and Facebook—it probably means that they don't necessarily have the marketing skills in this day and age to do the job."
I have no problem finding real estate agents on social networking sites, the question isn't, "Are they marketing themselves?", it's, "Are they marketing your property?". Big difference.
Sales people are almost by nature good at making a first impression, but most are short on actual work ethic and follow-through. I have found that the ability to get the job done and social networking savvy are just about inversely proportionate.

Paul of IL 5:49PM May 06, 2010

I would also add that anyone considering working with a real estate agent should ask which title companies that agent has worked with on a regular basis and then actually call them to gather feedback.
Also, you can check with your local Board of Realtors to see whether or not any complaints have been filed against the agent in question.
Jason Parker
http://www.ShortSaleSuckerPunch.com

Jason Parker of CO 3:15AM May 03, 2010

Hi dc of Tx, If your property is not being shown by other REALTORs, there's only 1 major reason. Price. You have to get people interested in the property before you can get showings. Does your REALTOR have a lot of photos on the internet? Buyers love photos.
If your property is priced right and shows well, it will sell.
I have a property listed for a client that was priced right and showed well. We had 4 low offers. Everyone wants a deal. He couldn't sell for less than a certain amount, and none of the buyers wanted to pay the amount. We had it listed for $5K less than the last one sold, that was just like it. We had a LOT of showings in the 5 weeks or so we had it listed: around 40.

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supplier of MN 11:49AM May 02, 2010

In my case, it was fairly easy, since one can run comparable sales for an area over the Internet.
Broker in question wanted to set a too-high asking price in a weak market. When questioned, she responded, "Oh, we'll just offer closing costs or cash back." Of course her commission would be based on the gross sale, not the net.
The next clue was when she began showings for clients who clearly couldn't qualify without using some exotic mortgage product.
This was in 2007. I understand she filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

Rich of OR 5:34PM April 30, 2010

We did all of the above, to the letter. We're now 10 months 6 days on the market, 16 showings, no open houses, no agent tours (told these last 2 aren't done "in this part of the country"), and no sale yet. Listing agent has brought only 1 buyer here, yet he's "out showing" every day. We've had 2 offers submitted, both outrageous and insulting. Everyone wants something for nothing. Frustrated, to say the least.

dc of TX 2:39PM April 30, 2010