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Home » Business And Finance Articles » Choosing The Right San Diego Realtor For You

Choosing the Right San Diego Realtor for YOU!

Whether buying or selling a home, it is one of the largest financial events that happens only a few times within your life. That makes choosing a realtor just as important and a crucial decision that can add to the stressful event or make it smoother and easier. So, choose your realtor as carefully as you would choose your doctor or attorney.

The first step in choosing the RIGHT realtor is to ask your friends, neighbors, acquaintances and business associates for recommendations. Ask them why they liked the realtor, what kind of service he/she provided, and would they use him/her again? Do not consider recommendations of their relatives â€" it is doubtful that you are getting an accurate perspective on the realtor.

If you did not get several truly exemplary recommendations, then drive throughout your neighborhood and check the "for sale" signs, especially those with "Sold" stuck across them. Note the realtor names. Also, check out real estate, display and classified advertising in your newspaper and local neighborhood paper. Which realtors have the most listings? Which have the largest or most display ads with photos of the homes? Note the realtor names.

By now, you should have a good list of potential realtors. It is time to check them out. Attend at least one open house for each realtor you are considering. Observe them in action and judge their expertise. Are they professional â€" or do they come across as a "used car salesman"? How familiar is the realtor with the property he/she is selling? After you leave, make detailed notes of your observations and how you felt about the realtor.

If you only used the recommendations of others, now check the advertising in the newspaper and neighborhood media for the realtors in which you are interested. Do the drive through of your neighborhood to see how many sold signs these realtors have. Make notes of how visible these realtors are and their marketing efforts.

Next, choose your top three realtor selections. It is better if they are from different companies, ensuring they will work harder for your business. Call all three and set appointments. For sellers, make the appointment in your home and let them know you would like an estimate of your home's market value. For buyers, let them know you would like them to determine how much you can afford to pay for a home. Be sure they know that you are meeting with two other realtors and will not make your decision until you have met with all three.

During each interview, take detailed notes on the realtors' presentations. Note any thoughts you have. Ask the following questions, along with any you may have:

• For sellers â€"
o How will they sell your home? What are their marketing plans? Are they customized to your listing?

o How many years have they been a full-time realtor? In your area? You want someone with experience, who will be giving your listing his/her full attention.

o What is their sales record? This includes their production level, rating, closed rate, expired rate on listings, and average time listings have been on the market before selling within the last year.

o Are they single-proprietorship realtors, work as a team, or part of a company? What prominent company are they associated with, and what resources does the firm provide the realtor that helps him/her do a better job for you?

o What level of technology will they use to promote your listing â€" web sites, virtual tours, online photo galleries, and so on?

o What services do they provide from the time of listing your home to the end of the closing?

o What are their communication procedures with you from listing through closing?

o Do they provide working relationships with local inspectors, appraisers, and real estate attorneys?

o Will they help you "stage" you home for showing. This is a walk-through of the property, suggesting things that should be repaired, renovated or changed to improve your pricing for the home. It also includes things that would "show" the home better. For example, too much furniture adds a clutter affect, making rooms look smaller. The realtor may suggest storing some of your furniture until after the sale.

o How did they arrive at the results of their marketing analysis? Ask for the actual addresses of any homes they used for comparison.

• For buyers â€"

o What services do they provide from the time you contract with them through the closing?

o How many years have they been a full-time agent? In your area? You want someone with experience, who will give his/her full attention to finding you a home.

o Are they single-proprietorship realtors, work as a team, or part of a company? What prominent company are they associated with, and what resources does the firm provide the realtor that helps him/her do a better job for you?

o What are their communication procedures with you during your search for a home through closing?

o What level of technology and research methods will they use to locate potential homes for you to view?

o What is their production level and rating? How many satisfied buyers in the past 12 months?

o Do they provide working relationships with inspectors, appraisers, title search companies/attorneys, and real estate attorneys for contracting and the closing? Can they suggest mortgage lenders, if you need one?

o Do they network with other realtors in the area? Sometimes, such relationships may afford you a viewing before a property is "officially" listed, giving your first view.

Tell the realtors that you will make a decision and contact them in the next day or two.

After all interviews are completed, note the following:

• Who gave you the most usable information?

• For sellers, the market value for your home should be in similar ranges for all three realtors Note if someone is unusually high. They may be only trying to get your listing with the idea of talking your price down later. Also, drive by the homes they used for market value comparison. Which realtors compared apples to apples, and which compared apples to oranges?

• For buyers, your buying potential (what you can afford to pay for a new home) should be in the same range for all three realtors. If a realtor is much higher or lower than the others, note this. You may even call him/her to inquire about the difference and how they arrived at the amount?

• Who answered your questions with genuine sincerity?

• Who genuinely appeared most excited about your home and its sale?

• Who truly listened, and who did not?

• Which realtor seemed to be the best fit for you?

Choosing a poor realtor can turn an already stressful event into a nightmare with ramifications that you must live with for years to come. Choosing the right realtor can make the experience a dream come true and a totally satisfying event. Selling or buying a home is stressful enough. Be sure you do not choose a realtor that is going to add to that stress.

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Will your home business succeed or fail?

You may operate a home business selling services or products, but no matter which kind of business you're in, there's always a question in the back of your mind: will my home business succeed or fail, or do I have the motivation it takes to keep it afloat? Whichever type of home business you have, it's important that you know ways that you can keep your business going during slack times and/or economic downturns. If cash flow is a problem in your business, you should be sure to make certain that your money management techniques are on target and well refined.

Some of the things you can do to make sure your business will survive in the 21st century is to avoid impulse expenditures. There are many reasons for impulse spending, even as it applies to business. We may fall under the persuasive spell of a salesperson who has talked us into buying things we don't need. Maybe we simply made impulsive purchases because we had a little extra money, or perhaps to keep up the appearance of prosperity. Then you realize a few days later that you've committed some of your business funds to products or services that are not necessary for the success of your business.

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult". -- Seneca

Here are some tips to help you avoid these impulse purchases and make certain your business succeeds:

1. You can help control impulse purchases by requiring two (or more) signatures on all company checks over a set amount. This will give you time to seriously consider whether or not you really need the product or service you are about to buy.

2. If you are vulnerable, you can get yourself out of the grasp of an insistent salesperson if you explain that all purchasing decisions are contingent upon the approval of a second party. This so-called second party can be anyone - a partner or a department head or even a family member.

3. If you are the sole owner of your business, you won't need to worry about these impulse spending patterns because you normally have three days to cancel your purchase if you decide you don't need it or that you can't afford to spend the money. However, be sure that you don't skimp on services or products that you really need.

4. When business is slow, you must learn to say "no" to anyone, even friends, who are trying to sell you unnecessary items. When business is good, you will probably allow more vendors to show you new equipment or new lines of so-called "new and improved" merchandise; otherwise, concentrate on your basic needs. However, take particular care that you are courteous so these vendors will consider you a friend.

5. If you commit yourself without investigating all details and charge ahead, you may be setting yourself up for failure. Be certain that you are prepared for all situations and emergencies that could arise. It pays in the long run - regardless of cost - to ask for professional advice before you start on any plan; it may prevent failure of your business. A business without a plan is like a boat without a rudder, you may be lucky and drift safely shore but most likely you'll end up on the rocks with 90% of other home business owners who fail because they don't have a plan and goals.

6. Another way to assure the success of your home business is to be sure of the direction your business is heading. You should be aware of your daily progress and monitor what your competitors are doing. Stay abreast of business trends and sales information for your particular industry.

Whether your home business succeeds or fails is dependent upon good money management, having decisive goals and a definitive plan on how you will achieve them. Also your motivation and the ability to foresee and solve any problems if and when they occur, is a deciding factor as you whether you succeed or fail.

Take the bull by the horns and decide now where you want to be at the end of the year, in two years time, in five years and set about following a precise plan of action to achieve your goals. Take daily action to ensure success; if you truly want to succeed you will take daily action, work hard and persevere.

"Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure." -- Benjamin Disraeli

I recommend you read Napoleon Hill's 'Unlimited Success' and 'Think and Grow Rich' to develop your success mindset and motivate you to succeed. I also follow a definitive plan to ensure my success which is greatly influenced by the work of Cory Rudl and his Insiders Secrets to Marketing your Business on the Internet. It's an excellent course and well worth the money if you are serious about an online home business.

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