There are some professions that are relatively easy to learn and quickly become adept. Real estate, according to Carmen Miranda, isn’t one of them.
“You really want a seasoned realtor,” says Ms. Miranda, the top-performing agent at Alain Pinel real estate in San Francisco. “They really need the know what they’re doing.”
For buyers, says Miranda, it’s particularly important to find a real estate agent who knows the geographic area in which they hope to buy. Not just a map-level knowledge of streets, but a true understanding of all the intangibles that shape the character of a neighborhood and ultimately dictate property values.
Sellers should look for an agent with a successful track record of securing a good sale price, ideally with multiple bidders, in a relatively short time. They should ask about the agent’s plans for marketing the property, in both traditional and electronic media, so that it will attract attention from a wide variety of potential buyers.
Taken together, these factors all suggest that the best real estate agents are typically the most experienced ones. Miranda suggests people not hesitate to ask prospective agents for referrals from satisfied customers.
Some agents become so successful that they pass much of their work on to assistants. Look for a comfortable medium, says Ms. Miranda. There’s nothing wrong with an agent’s support staff handling paperwork and other ancillary matters. But your agent should be your primary contact, personally handling important matters and affording you all the one-on-one time you need.
Your agent shouldn’t just disappear after closing escrow, says Miranda. Look for someone willing to stay in touch and keep you informed. Your agent should be apprised of interest rates, for example, and be able to advise you on refinancing.
