Experience key when buying, selling home

Selecting a capable Realtor to assist you in purchasing or selling a home is the key to a successful transaction. And the best indication of a Realtor’s capability is his or her proven record of success in the business.

Many Realtors are new in the brokerage field and lack a record of proven productivity. The National Association of Realtors recently carried a report on the lowering age and lack of seasoned experience of many of its new members.

“Increasing the number of young people in real estate has been a longstanding goal of the industry, so it’s good news that the median age of Realtors dropped this year. It’s now at 53, down from 57 last year,” the report stated. “What’s driving the decrease in average age is two trends: an increase in Realtors under 30, and a drop in Realtors over 65.”

The report also pointed out the negative side of that situation.

“The flip side to having younger people in real estate is ... experience. Twenty percent of Realtors haven’t been in the business for a single year, and a third have been in it less than three years.”

Bottom line: When consumers are seeking professional help in acquiring or selling a home, their chances of enjoying a successful transaction will be greatly enhanced by selecting a Realtor with a proven record of successes. Ask questions and check references.