Asking for references…I can?

Insider Secrets

You want what?  Say again?  You want references?

 

How many homes have you bought and sold over the years? 

 

How many job interviews have you had over the years? 

 

Why are these two questions linked in some way? 

 

 

Because sellers and buyers need to be more like interviewers and less like interviewees when it comes to real estate.  Real estate agents need to be held to the same standards as other professionals seeking employment.

Why?  Because you are hiring one of them to perform a job for you, and a very important one, with serious financial consequences and emotional upheaval.

I really think this gets lost in the whole manner in which consumers go about selecting real estate agents.  Somehow, I think consumers put way too much emphasis on "please help me sell my home" instead of "how can you help me sell my home?"  Hiring a real estate agent should not be a plea for help, but a well thought out process that will result in your success.

Think about the process that most people go through to obtain a job.  First there is the application, then there is the interview, then there is the reference check...AAHHAA!  The reference check!! 

How many times have you asked a real estate agent for references?  Has this ever occurred to you?  Have you ever called references to check on a real estate agent you were considering?  Well, you should!  There is no better way to find out about the real estate agent than by asking others who have used him/her to sell or buy their home.  And, I don't mean just 1 or 2, you should be able to talk to a number of people, both buyers and sellers, to make sure you get enough information about this real estate agent.

Has a real estate agent ever offered you references?  Have you ever asked for references and not received any-you know, the ol' "I'll get those to you" and you never see them?  These are red flags to look for, as most professional people who are interviewing for a job have a list of references available or can provide information on an application right on the spot.  Remember, YOU are the interviewer, YOU are the boss, YOU are the owner of the home.  It is up to YOU to ensure that you are selecting the best possible person for the job.  

Also, your real estate agent should put in writing what they will and will not do when it comes to everything related to selling your home - the marketing plan, customer service expectations, etc.  You should also understand what your listing agreement (Exclusive Right to Sell - in most cases, which is a bi-lateral contract) says regarding cancellation in case you are unhappy.  You may be bound to this real estate company for the duration of the listing agreement if there is not a cancellation clause in the listing agreement that gives you an option to terminate it.  A good real estate agent will put everything in writing so your expectations are set, you know what will occur, when it will occur, and what the agent is and is not doing to sell your home. 

There should be no surprises when it comes to selling your home.

P.S.  We provide a HUGE list of references proactively, you won't even have to ask!  We also provide kudos on what our previous clients have said on our website as well. 

Photo courtesy of aarinfreephoto.com

Content copyrighted by Chris Olsen and protected by CopyScape.

Olsen Ziegler Realty -- A Smarter Way to buy and sell your Greater Cleveland, Ohio Home

Date: Monday, March, 23rd 2009 @ 07:13:01 PM
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