As we are in the heat of the market and many people are starting to welcome the balanced market we have it is a good time to review how to choose a Realtor.

Let me start off with the number one mistake in choosing a Realtor.  Simply based solely on them being a friend or family member.  It is important you let your friend or family member know that you will be interviewing other Realtors.  if for no other reason but to make your friend or family member have to be on their game to prove they are worthy to sell your home.  This is business not personal, do it right.  On that note what should you be doing?

1) Interview more then one Realtor

This is often a big mistake people make.  it is valuable to hear a couple different viewpoints on the pricing of your home, the strategy proposed for marketing, and the track record of the candidates.  Remember also that if you are going to be working closely together for a few weeks or longer it is important that you also like the person you will be dealing with.  If they turn you off in the first meeting what do you think it will be like after three weeks of continuous contact and meetings?

2) Write out your questions in advance

Do some research, remember this is an interview.  The internet is full of informative sites that can be used to gather some questions that you should ask your candidates.  It also allows you to reflect on their answers later during the deliberation phase to see who you will choose.

3) Innovative, and Fresh Marketing strategies

Make sure you go with the Realtor who has a broad, but most important a unique and innovative marketing strategy.  If the strategy is holding open houses and advertising in the local real estate print media, then consider whether this is enough in today’s internet world.

Today’s marketing strategy must have a solid internet and/or social media component as this is the way buyers today are shopping for homes.  A staggering over 80% of buyers today shop on-line for their real estate.  Look for the realtor who comes up with more strategies to get your home in front of as many eyeballs as possible.  If you would like a good example of Realtors who are embracing the internet world go to www.foothillsrealestate.ca .

4) Price Strategy

This is a big one.  Make sure you ask lots of questions on how they came up with the proposed price for your home. Try not to get in the way here.  many homeowners have an inflated view of the value of their home and weak Realtors will just agree with your over-priced value in order to get the listing, and then just beat you down over the coming weeks to get your price where it should have been. It will sell weeks later then it could have if you priced it right in the first place.  If a Realtor does not respectfully disagree or challenge you on your inflated price then you need to ask yourself if this is the right one for you.  Remember if you have chosen your candidates properly you are dealing with someone who has sold many homes in your area and knows more about the price then you do who have sold no other homes in the area. Trust the experts.