How to Choose the Best Realtor for You

Buying or selling a home can be one of the biggest financial transactions you face. It is just as important to do your research on picking a realtor as it is in picking a home. Whether it is a buying or selling transaction, you must first make a list of your needs. Then interview at least three realtors to be confident in which one will represent you and your needs the best.

Do Your Homework
Word of mouth is of course one way to find a realtor. Most people know someone who’s used a realtor recently and can get their input or recommendations. However, you still must do your homework. Even if your friend had a successful transaction and his expectations were met, you have to make sure yours will be too. Every buying and selling situation is different. For example, if you are interested in buying a short sale or foreclosure, some realtors are very experienced in the process and some try to avoid it like the plague. Your friend might have been buying a property and you might need to put yours up for a short sale. In each case, a different set of needs must be met.

When Selling a Property
Ask each agent what they intend to do for you. These days selling a house is no longer as systematic as setting up signs and holding open houses. Make sure your realtor is internet savvy. The 2008 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers reported that 87% of all home buyers searched for a home online prior to contacting a realtor. It is not enough just to have your home listed on the agent’s web site. As a seller, it is important to find out on what web sites the realtor’s MLS listings are placed in order to assure maximum exposure.

Other information to find out is whether your realtor will show your home personally or will there be an assistant or no representative at all. Will the realtor be out of town such as on vacation when the house initially goes on the market. This is the most crucial time to have your realtor’s full attention. Ask the realtor to go through the house and give you advice on how it can best be staged. Although open houses are not as much of a priority as they once were, it is important to find out if your realtor plans to hold any and how important they are to you.

When Buying a Property
Does the agent have experience and knowledge of the area in which you wish to live? They should be well acquainted with the market in that location as well as the comp sales in the neighborhood. Make sure they are able to devote the time to look for a property that meets your needs as opposed to only showing you the homes you find on the internet. They also must do their homework in finding out any association fees, maintenance fees, estimated property tax, outstanding liens and any other costs that could affect your decision. Start with a structured approach, use a home buyers wishlist, which will help you decide what properties suit your needs.

A Senior Real Estate Strategist
Experienced and professional real estate support is essential in today’s unpredictable market. I have specialized in premium properties in Hudson County and the New York Metro area for over 10 years. My insight and expertise have also been featured in prestigious media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg Radio, Bloomberg International News Service, AOL.com, The Record and The Jersey Journal. More importantly, I grew up in the area and am also a resident.

Weichert Realtors and The Shallis Group
Weichert Realtors and The Shallis Group, specializes in luxury living in the hottest New York Metro area communities including the prestigious New Jersey waterfront area. With access to numerous condominium, townhome, commercial, residential, land development, single family, multi-family, and other real estate listings for sale, The Shallis Group is the premier agent for the metro area real estate and was awarded #1 in the region among all Weichert Sales Associates in June 2009!

If you are looking for experience and professionalism in a New Jersey realtor, please contact Sean T Shallis today for a personal consultation on your buying or selling needs at 201-427-1032. If you are looking for real estate elsewhere, please see the real estate directory at real-estate-blogs.com.

Great Realtor or Blogger: How do you tell the difference?

I’ve been told, “show your personality on your Blog posts.” So I’ve been reading several blogs focused in the Hoboken, NJ real estate market written by so called…”Real Estate Experts”?

What is the definition of a real estate expert in the Blogosphere anyway…?
The reality is that whether you’re buying or selling great information is important. One of the tricks in today’s changing real estate market is knowing if the so called “expert” giving you the information and analysis actually has the credentials and or the practical experience to help you interpret the information accurately.

Some other questions that come to mind when determining if the person or blog writer is actually an expert:

1. How do I know this person’s background and area of expertise?
2. What should I look for?
3. What should I be asking before committing to working with the so called expert?

Here is a simple analogy:
Your child gets sick and you go to the doctor and he says, “This is very serious. We need to operate immediately. It’s a matter of life and death..” You say to yourself, “Oh my god…It’s critical we find a “surgeon” or ”expert in the field” ASAP!

All the questions start to run through your head such as:

1. How many times a month does he do this operation?
2. Is he a specialist or a general surgeon?
3. What is his or her success rate?
4. How long is the recovery time?

Then your so called “expert/blogger” says..”Well…to be honest….”

Median Gross Personal Income of REALTORS®

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