How to Select an Agent

The process of selecting a real estate agent is similar in many ways to the process of selecting other professional assistance.  The same questions, concerns and strategies you employ when looking for a doctor, dentist, lawyer or accountant can and should be employed when you consider choosing your real estate agent who, after all, will be your consultant and counselor on some of the biggest decisions you will ever make.

Regardless of how you get an agent’s name – from a friend, a co-worker or through the phone book or Internet – it might be worthwhile to interview a couple before you make a final decision.  At the very least, you should have a list of criterion with which to evaluate any agent you’re considering.

A Few Things to Look for…

1. Real estate agent and “REALTOR” are not necessarily the same thing.
REALTORS® can provide an extra level of service, and to be a REALTOR®, an agent must be a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). NAR members adhere to a strict code of ethics founded on the principle of providing fair and honest service to all consumers. Real estate licensees who are not REALTORS work solely under state/provincial licensing regulations. RE/MAX real estate agents are required to be REALTORS® as a condition of membership in the RE/MAX organization.

2. Check on experience, education and productivity.
As with most professions, experience pays in real estate.  RE/MAX agents average 12 years of experience, far exceeding the industry average.

3. Designations matter.
Real estate designations such as the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) and Leadership Training Graduate (LTG) suggest an expertise and commitment that goes beyond just earning and maintaining a real estate license.  As a percentage of membership, RE/MAX agents hold more REALTOR® professional designations compared to any other national or international company.

4. Market knowledge and presence is important.
Make sure the agent not only knows the market but has a strong presence there.  One of the best indicators is whether you’ve seen the agent’s yard signs around the neighborhood.  RE/MAX leads most local real estate markets in virtually every category and RE/MAX leads nationally in production with more than one million transactions annually.

5. National networks mean a lot in relocations.
Selecting an agent that is part of a national network can be especially important if you’re selling in one city in preparation of moving to another. Your selling agent can refer you to a professional, compatible agent in your destination city. RE/MAX Associates belong to the real estate network with the most market presence and market share.