With the economy and housing industry being the way that it is, one can no longer just pick a realtor at random while selling or purchasing a home. There is so much diversity in the real estate market that it completely depends on what kind of transaction you are pursuing and how you can interact with the personality of your realtor.
For example, if you are buying a home in the short sale or foreclosure market it doesn’t make sense to seek out a realtor with seasonal rental background when that person may not have experience with the quirks and paperwork that are involved in a short sale. They may not have the right experience or contacts for working with banks in the foreclosure market and someone that has closed on more of those types of deals. Instead, seek out a realtor that has been through the routine.
In addition, make sure that your realtor understands the goals and limitations in place while going through the real estate purchase and has an attitude that you can get along with. If the limit on a purchase is 100K and a realtor is showing houses at 150K, you may need to clarify your limits if you wish to continue working together. It’s always good to make sure you get along with your realtor as well. I know it sounds cliché but if you can’t stand being in a car with someone for an hour or two while you’re out looking at properties, imagine how poorly things could go when money and contracts enter the equation. While talking to a realtor, think of some general questions you would ask if you were interviewing someone for a job. Are they motivated? Are they presentable? Are they responsible? Are they knowledgeable and up to date on real estate trends? I’m Ron Burgandy?
Any realtor worth their weight in salt should be able to take care of a “standard listing” but if you are looking for a property in a niche market, do some research and make sure your realtor is a specialist in that market. Whether it is a first time purchase or a seasoned investor’s purchase, the process should always be a comfortable and positive experience.