What are smart questions to ask Realtors?

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A: The initial interview is a bit like a first date. Do you like the agent? Can you trust that they will tell the truth and act in your best interests? Find out if the agent will be your single point of contact.

If they have an assistant, what tasks will they be performing for you? Make sure that you are comfortable with the assistant’s skill level and working style.

Ask the agent how many active buyers and sellers they are currently working with. Also, ask if their other clients have overlapping requirements in terms of budget, neighborhood, and home type.

Establish how you like to communicate (e.g. phone, text or email) and how often you want to hear from them.

Be clear on your timeline. If you want priority treatment, say so. If you tell the agent that you are not in a rush and you don’t have to make a move anytime soon, you can expect that you will be given a lower priority. John Solaegui, Paragon Real Estate Group,

(415) 738-7232, jsolaegui@paragon-re.com A: Asking the right questions of the agent of choice will be helpful in establishing just how well taken care of you will be.

Does the agent have several clients looking for similar properties in the same areas and price point?

Does the agent have a partner or assistant to help with taking care of client needs, including responding promptly to client calls, texts and e-mails?

Does the agent really know the areas that you are interested in potentially living in?

And last but not least, is the agent experienced and well respected in the brokerage community? That will be important when it comes time to present your offer.

There are numerous excellent agents out there.

After gathering your information, don’t forget to let your intuition be your guide. It will seldom steer you wrong. Karen Starr,

Grubb Co., (510) 339-0400, ext. 224,

starr@grubbco.com

A: Finding a Realtor who can lead in today’s busy world and provide the personal one-on-one attention necessary to expedite a successful sale is difficult but not impossible.

Here are three simple qualities needed for that extra edge needed in the real estate market.

Does your agent truly listen? The ability to listen gives your agent the upper hand. Listening will eliminate wasted time and energy in addition to providing valuable insight that might otherwise be overlooked.

Is your agent responsive? Great agents always have the time to respond to their clients. Responses should be prompt and thoughtful. If your agent is not calling you back or answering your texts, it might be time to find a new agent.

Is your agent organized and prepared? Successful agents do their homework and show up with a toolkit filled with knowledge, and know the San Francisco real estate market inside and out. An agent who shows up prepared and on time will have more time to spend with you.

It is most important, in this heated Sellers’ Market, for a Buyer to know that they are front and center on their real estate agent’s radar screen. Often times seeking out representation by the “top producing” agent may not necessarily ensure the greatest success.

Bernie Katzmann, Vaguard Properties, (415) 906-6000, katzmannsf@gmail.com; Mike Shaw, Vanguard Properties, (415) 906-7000, mikeshaw@vanguardsf.com