The number one way that Realtors are taught to get business is through their “sphere.” If you’ve ever had a friend or family member you haven’t heard from in years suddenly contact you and say, “Keep me in mind if you know anyone looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate [wink. wink],” now you know why.
This prospecting method goes against everything I learned working in advertising and starting my own businesses. It is a good way for a Realtor to get their start and a few transactions under their belt. But, if I’m honest, you really shouldn’t choose a Realtor just because they’re family or a friend. If I’m real honest, a Realtor shouldn’t want to help just anyone. The I can help anyone and anywhere practice has lessened the value of Realtors in my opinion.
I believe the future of residential real estate will hinge on a Realtor’s specialty rather than a buckshot approach.
Here are a few ways you can find the perfect Realtor to list your home:
- Hire a Realtor who knows your neighborhood. If he or she has kids who attend/attended the neighborhood school and he/she shops at the same grocery store you do, all the better. I would almost rather have a new Realtor who knew my neighborhood inside and out rather than an experienced Realtor who had never sold in my neighborhood.
- Hire a Realtor who can maximize the value of your house. If you’ve got a luxury property, you want a Realtor who knows luxury. If you’ve got an outdated house, you might want a Realtor who can speak to renovating. If you’ve got a historic home, you want someone who is familiar with selling in a historic area. If you’re selling a farm or ranch, you want someone who understands farm/ranch.
- Hire a Realtor who holds their own Open Houses. No one will know the details of your house like the Realtor who has the listing. They should be the one greeting potential buyers, giving the details of the house and reaching out to you with any questions.
Here are a few ways to find a Realtor to help you buy a home:
- Hire a Realtor who is familiar with the area you want to move. If you are not sure what area you would like best in a large area or metroplex, a Realtor who has been in real estate a while might be a good fit. They’ll likely be familiar with more neighborhoods and know how to direct you.
- Hire a Realtor who has been or is in a similar life phase. If you’re looking for a retirement community, a 20-something-year-old Realtor might not be as helpful. If your goal is to find a community to raise a family, you might want a Realtor who has already been through that phase and knows the best areas for kids. If you’re single and want to be close to downtown, a married Realtor with kids who lives in the country might not be as connected to the area where you want to move.
- Make sure the Realtor does their due diligence in assessing your needs. A good buyer’s agent is not going to just show you houses that you find. They should know exactly what you want and put in the hours in finding properties that match your wants and needs.
I hope these few tips help. Most important is to remember that you are hiring an advocate so that person needs to understand your needs in order to be able to advocate on your behalf.
Best of Luck!
