How to pick a realtor

I'm looking to buy a house shortly. I don't have a realtor, yet. My aunt is a realtor in the area we are looking in, as well as a friend (not my BFF).
How do I pick one or someone else? What makes a good realtor for the buyer?

How to pick a realtor

i would go by recommendations...not just because you know the person.

How to pick a realtor

I wouldn’t use a friend. Go off recommendations. I used Beth Lowe and she was awesome.

How to pick a realtor

I think you need to go with your gut.
I picked Christine Braun based on her answers from this board. I didn’t know anyone who worked with her but decided to meet with her. We signed on with her to be our buyers agent for a short time (less than a month). We wound up sticking with her and so glad we did. We are constantly saying one of the reasons we got our house is because of her.

With today’s market make sure who ever you pick will be available nights and weekends. You need a shark and someone who will be quick to set up showings.

Re: How to pick a realtor

How to pick a realtor

I think I'd want to make sure I'm picking someone who works full time and has worked in the area for a good amount of time. So many people try to do it as a side job or float in and out of the job pretty quickly. My parents are realtors, same area for 20+ years and they can't even keep up with learning names of all the realtors who come and go in their office. Ask how many deals they've done in the past year. I'd want somethings who does a lot it business and has relationships with various trusted mortgage brokers, attorneys, title companies, etc so they can actually get you to closing.

Re: How to pick a realtor

Another vote for Christine! She helped us purchase our first house....then helped us to sell that house...and now she helped us to purchase the house we're in contract for!

She's very knowledgeable.

FWIW, I probably wouldn't use an aunt or a friend. There's a lot that goes into the transaction and you kind of need someone who is going to help you keep your emotions out of it. Buying (and selling) a house is VERY emotional and I appreciated having someone to keep me level-headed.

Re: How to pick a realtor

Just some other thoughts if you are considering working with a friend or a relative (and I do sometimes work with friends and relatives, so I wouldn't say never do it, but you have to think it through first):

1) You really have to be financially transparent with your realtor, as a buyer. When I present an offer, I need to know that the buyers can afford the home, and what kind of loan they are getting, how much they are putting down, where the down payment is coming from, if they have cash for closing or need some kind of concession, etc. I often have ongoing dialogue with the mortgage loan officer who is assisting the buyers with their loan. So if you don't want your friend (or Aunt) to know that you can only afford homes in a certain price range, or that you are borrowing money from someone for a down payment, or need to get an FHA loan because you have less than stellar credit, or a whole host of other issues, then it's probably better to find a professional that you don't know and regularly see in your personal life. Of course, everything should be kept confidential according to our ethical duties as realtors, but even if your friend keeps it all to herself or himself, are you going to be comfortable next time you go out for drinks or see her/him at a party or family event, knowing that they know so much about your personal finances?

2) Aside from sensitive financial information, other sensitive and personal info can arise when looking at homes. Often my buyer clients will discuss the pros and cons of a home with me, and raise personal issues such as whether/when they are having more children, whether elderly parents may some day move in with them, whether they are planning to move out of state in the future, etc. It is helpful to all when buyers can speak candidly in front of me as a realtor, so I can properly advise them on things like resale value and whether a home has the potential to work for future family needs. But if you are going to hesitate to speak freely about such things in front of a friend or relative, then think twice.

3) Finally, ask yourself whether you see your aunt or friend as a professional, and someone you would trust in a professional capacity, or if you are just doing them a favor. If you can't see your friend or aunt as a trusted advisor and won't take their advice to heart, then you are doing yourself a disservice by utilizing them versus a realtor who you will allow to really guide you through this challenging market. When I have successfully worked with family or friends, we kind of set the ground rules/boundaries at the get go... I try to advise them like I would any other client (not holding back) and I expect they will rely on my professional expertise.

That being said, if you aren't really comfortable using a friend or relative, or choosing between them, it's very common for people to say "we didn't want to work with a friend or relative." Of course, as a realtor, it can be frustrating when people say that, but I totally respect it and don't take it personally.

Re: How to pick a realtor

As a realtor myself I would say work with your Aunt assuming you have a good relationship with her. Who better to look out for your interests then your own family.

How to pick a realtor

I didn't use a realtor and we were fine tbh. I knew which areas I was interested, and I did alot of research on home listing websites. The second I saw a home in our price point was listed and was having an open house, I got in there ASAP. I would call the realtor on the listing page and request to see the home prior to the open house so that I could get an offer in before everyone else. That is how we got our current home. I personally did not find it difficult at all