That being said, referrals and recommendations are a great place to start. Talk to people you know who have had excellent experiences in selling their home: on the market, a few showings, some great offers, and a sold sign. You can also look online. Check out Realtor.com first. Find out who has a strong online presence, both in real estate sites and forums as well as through social media. Read reviews and recommendations. Do some background research. Find out what their area of specialization is, and whether that meets your needs. Then check with the state’s regulatory body/licensing authority; they can provide you with information about whether the agent is licensed, as well as other important information like their disciplinary and award-winning track record. Next, check for credentialing. Real estate agents’ credentials include: • CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) - means the agent has completed additional training in handling residential real estate • ABR(Accredited Buyer’s Representative) - indicates that the agent has completed additional education in representing buyers in a transaction • SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) - shows that the agent completed training aimed at helping buyers/sellers in the 50+ age range. If your agent is a REALTOR—in capital letters that means that they’re a member of National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and have pledged to support its specific code of ethics.
CHOOSING A REAL ES G A REAL ESTATE AGENT: WHAT TO ASK
Now you’ve found a few potential real estate agents whom you 39
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