Finding a real estate agent is kinda like dating. You don’t always find the right one the first time around.

We recently started looking at some recreation property in a popular ski area. We made a list of the properties we wanted to see, contacted a local agent, and spent several hours together viewing the listings. At the end of the day, both my husband and I were frustrated. Largely because the properties we looked at were better online than in person, but also because we couldn’t get a clear understanding of what was suppose to happen next.

We weren’t really jazzed about working with this particular agent, but were unsure of how to proceed.

Brian Velve, a top selling Vancouver real estate agent with Remax, recommends trying a different approach.

He suggests when looking at any kind of recreation property, check to see which agent has the majority of listings in the price range we’re interested in. In addition to knowing the properties, they are more likely to attract listings that fall within our budget- thereby increasing our chances of success. We might even get first crack at a place before it gets listed.

The next step, I call this the dating step, is to make an appointment with the agent to view their listings. This gives us an opportunity to get to know each other better. Ideally, the agent will be business like, knowledgeable, and eager to work with us. Although tiring, it’s a good idea to meet with several agents before deciding on one. Remember the saying, “Before you meet your handsome prince you have to kiss a lot of toads?”

But what if there’s a break up?

Brian normally has buyers sign a “Buyers Agreement” that states he is working on their behalf. But if we find the “relationship” is just not working out, we can end it.

It is important to fire your agent.

This is definitely the hard part. While it doesn’t matter how I do it, on the phone, over the Internet or in person, it is really important I fire the agent. If I don’t, and we end up buying a property with our new agent that our old agent showed us, then they will have a right to claim commission - not a nice thing to do to either agents.

While breaking up is hard to do, from a client’s perspective, agents really appreciate being told it’s over. Even though it’s not good news for them, it will save everyone time and energy in the end, especially if we happen to run into them again - sorta like running into an old boyfriend, it’s awkward.

Here’s to finding that prince or princess.

Cheers,

Julie

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007 at 7:24 pm and is filed under Today's News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.