How to find the best realtor?

My husband and I are about to start our home search. When I was doing my research online, I signed up to receive listings on a real estate agent website. The next day someone from that office called me. It might be my fault that I probably made the realtor believe we are going to have her as our agent. Now she sends me updated listings everyday and I really can't tell how good (or bad) she is as an agent. Lately, a friend of ours also recommended another realtor whom I haven't talked to yet. In this situation, what should I do to select a better one or find a best one in that area?? I know we are supposed to interview the agents before hiring them. But do you really believe you can find the best one by just asking a few questions?? I heard someone saying the best way to find that out is to let them show you around first. But wouldn't that be too rude to use their service and then barge out??

I am a Realtor. The first thing you need to do is interview agents. Yes you can find a good Realtor with asking the RIGHT questions. The person who is sending you information just wants your business - if you don't want to receive the information any more, tell them, they have to remove you from your list. Please do not use an agent by having them show you around then not using their services - it's a lot of time and money on their part they are out if you go elsewhere. Better to find the right agent up front and use their services. As a buyer, the services should be free or close to free for you as the seller typically pays the agent's fees.

1. Use a 'Realtor' - there is a difference between licensed agents - only 'Realtors' are held to the Code of Ethics prescribed by the National Association of Realtors - a very strict code, that way the agent must be ethical in all their dealings with you - if they are not, they can be fined and/or lose their license!

2. Call at least 3 companies in the area you are looking - ask to talk to the 'broker in charge'. Once you get them on the phone tell them you are looking to interview agents to help you in your home search - ask for someone who has the 'ABR' designation (Accredited Buyer's Representative). Set up an interview time for each of the three recommendations by calling them in person.

3. Once you get the appointments, make sure you take notice:
Did they show up on time?
Were they professional in appearance?
Did they LISTEN to you, or were they all about what they wanted to say?

4. Ask these questions:
a) Are you a full-time agent or a part-time agent? (Do NOT use a part-time agent)
b) What is your strategy for getting me into the right home for me? This answer should include them saying something like, "First we have to determine exactly what you can afford to spend - you should be pre-qualified with a lender, that way we won't waste your time looking at places out of your price range. Second we will sit down and put together a list of criteria, what your needs are, what your wants are, and what would be nice, but not necessary".
If they are doing this, they will be doing all the leg-work up front and only showing you homes that are right for you.
c) What's your success rate? (How many homes have they found for buyers THIS YEAR).
d) Do you have any references from your prior clients?
e) What area do you specialize in? How many homes have you had CLOSED transactions on in this area in the last year?

There are lots of other questions, but if they can't answer these questions to YOUR satisfaction, move on. Finding the right Realtor makes the world of difference. They should be practiced in negotiating price and finding potential problems up front. If you get a home with central air, does your Realtor know to ask if it is Freon based? In 2020, there will be NO more Freon air conditioners - what would be the potential cost for you to have to replace the system - are there still parts available for your unit. These are the types of things a good Realtor will find out for you UP FRONT!

Good luck!

Dear Ed - just so you know, we're not taught to make anyone feel obligated. A good Realtor does not need to do that. I'm sure there are some who do, but it's not part of the educational requirements.

The best, possible referrals are 'word of mouth,' as is true for most any service/ business. You surely won't believe everything a realtor tells you, will you? Skepticism is your friend. Ask friends, relatives and coworkers if they can recommend a realtor. Other than this, trust your 'gut.' How do the prospective realtors treat you? Do you perceive them as intelligent? Do you perceive them as conscientious? Are they full-time or part time realtors? (You want full-time). Do you like the person?

Realty agents are taught to make you feel "obligated" for the work they have done. Don't do it. They might send out listing info to 100 people; only 1 will buy a house thru them.
Don't be afraid to fire the "new" agent if you get any funny feelings. The perfect agent is waiting for you. Find them. .

Go with your friends. Friends wouldn't recommend someone if they weren't good.

It's all about establishing a good rapport with someone who is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and available to service your needs. These all carry serious weight. Don't overlook rapport. Buying a house is more that just a business transaction, it's a very intimate relationship with an agent.

The best agent you can find is one who is aggressive and enthusiastic about helping you accomplish your goal in a way that is customized to your needs and personality and who is experienced in the business so they will know how to protect your interests. As a real estate salesperson, I believe that a referral from a satisfied buyer is the best way to go. That being said, there are other agents out there who you may work better with. The best thing you could do is interview agents without seeing homes first. A good agent would never show you a house first or start sending you email without meeting you face to face to conduct a two-way interview so to speak and prequalifing you for a loan.

Don't worry about that agent sending you endless email... it's an auto delivery program. She's good if she continues to follow up with you and hooks you into resources that will help you get the home you want with terms you want. You don't need to see a bunch of agents but you need to discern their knowledge of the business and feel comfortable with them. Buying a house is a huge deal literally and figuratively you owe it to yourself to find the person that will work hardest for your business and your referrals. Most states have buyer agency contracts. Don't let anyone hook you into a long term. If you like them you can renew if you don't you won't be stuck.

There's so much I could say on this subject. Make sure you're comfortable that you're getting your needs met. This person is there to help you and they should constantly be proving that.