How to choose an agent. Do the research and then interview! Ask a friend or family memeber for a referral, choose an agent that familiar with your area, find an agent that has company support and marketing for your home. These are all great ways to begin. But most importanlty you want to figure out what your needs are and then interview several agents until you find the one who understands those needs and has a proven system to sell your home. Our company has a proven system that our agents customize to your specific needs. Call us to find out what yours would be!

What to ask in the interview.

1. Ask about the marketing plan for your home. Is it a set plan or will it change if the needs of your home are not being met. Has the marketing used provided qualified buyers in the past.
2. How often will the agent communicate with you. Will it be on a regular schedule or as needed. Know how and when you will communicate to avoid unrealistic expectations. Pay attention to office hours and whether or not you will be invited to stay in touch via a cell phone, pager or e-mail.
3. Ask how long the real estate agent has been licensed and how many buyers and sellers he or she has helped. While time is not the most important factor, it may demonstrate experience. Getting licensed is relatively easy. Staying with the business for at least five years isn't and shows a strong commitment to the profession.
4. Is the agent part-time or full-time? While all agents have to start somewhere, working with a part-time agent may not be in your best interests. Part time agents have other commitments that can get in the way of giving you full-time attention. In addition, agents that are part time may simply not be successful enough to have developed business adequate to support a full time commitment.
5. Ask about awards and designations. This may help you determine the amount of training the agent has had.
6. What is Your Average List-Price-to-Sales-Price Ratio? Knowing the agent's average ratio speaks volumes. Listing agents should have higher ratios closer to 93-100%.
7. Who will be in contact with? You should ask whether you will be talking with your agent directly or with an assistant or another person on the team if you have a question. Both can be good depending on how the team communicates, you don;t want to have to ask your questions or make your needs known multiple times to multiple people.
8. What Are the Top Three Things That Separate You From Your Competition? A good agent won't hesitate to answer this question and will be ready to fire off why she is best suited for the job. Everyone has their own standards, but most consumers say they are looking for agents who say they are:
   Honest and trustworthy
   Assertive
   Excellent negotiators
   Available by phone or e-mail
   Good communicators
   
9. What kind of support does your office and company provide. Are you required to handle all the marketing and materials yourself? A good agent will associate themselves with a company that has a support system for listing properties and provides them with a gammet of tools to help sell homes.
10. Ask for references. Remember you are the boss sitting behind the desk in this interview. You want to make sure that the agent you choose has satisfied clients who are willing to refer them.
    
    Once you've found the right real estate agent to represent you, hold up your end of the relationship. There are simple things you can do to help your real estate agent get you the best deal.

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