How can you determine fact from fiction in online Realtor reviews?

A: Without question, asking friends, family or neighbors who you trust about an agent will always give you a more accurate impression of an agent than online reviews. Online reviews of real estate agents are often tricky to sort through. Unlike a restaurant that deals with thousands of customers a year, agents often deal with only a handful. As a result, because the sample size is so low, it’s very rare to get a complete picture based solely on online reviews. To add to this, sometimes the reviewers aren’t even the clients of the agent; they are just people who interacted with them in another capacity. While some sites (Zillow and Trulia) verify that the reviewer was involved in a transaction with an agent, many sites like Yelp, Google Places and reviews on Facebook pages feature no such verification.

I would say that if there are numerous reviews and a pattern emerges that fits with your previous perceptions of and interactions with an agent, they may have some credibility — positive or negative. It also never hurts to ask the agent about any reviews you have concerns about; how they respond might shed some light.

When all else fails, choosing an agent that is affiliated with a respected brokerage with a professional, solid reputation in the community is typically a safe bet.

Rainy Hake, Alain Pinel Realtors,

(408) 741-1111, rainy@apr.com A: When reviewing Realtor profiles and reviews online, you should look deeper than the information being presented to the way it’s being presented. Buzz words can make a difference in home sales prices; likewise buzz words can make a difference in the impression you get when reading about an agent. What do those commonly found descriptors like “premiere” and “top producer” actually mean?

Most agents, especially those in the industry for many years, will represent themselves accurately and will have a good sampling of reviews from which a discerning reader can pull valuable information. Consistently mentioned personality and professional traits can offer reliable information about an agent. Look for a consistent voice in an agent’s website or blog; does that voice match what the reviews say? When reading online reviews, remember if people have a negative experience they tend to share it, so if an agent has all positive reviews on reputable sites, they’re doing a good job for their clients.

Finally, use all the resources at your fingertips. There are many sites you can look to for reviews and sales information. Yelp, Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia and LinkedIn offer platforms for client-written reviews. The cream does rise to the top, and agents who act unprofessionally or unethically don’t stick around long.

Shannon Kelly, Bay Sotheby’s International Realty,

(510) 922-0212, shannon.kelly@sothebysrealty.com A: No matter how you find your agent, it is essential to research someone online before scheduling an interview. Today, a large portion of the real estate market is online. You are looking for neighborhood experience, high-quality marketing materials, online presence, and then you check their online reviews.

Your agent should be active and have recent experience in your neighborhood. Zillow has an agentfinder tool allowing you to easily check an agent’s recent sales.

A majority of today’s buyers find their next home online. Make sure your agent invests in an online presence and is marketing your property in this space. His or her listings should be professionally photographed and featured on the biggest real estate portals, including Zillow and Trulia.

Review sites are helpful but should be only a small piece of your research. As with most online reviews you can’t always believe what you read. Nonetheless, a quick check of online reviews should be a qualifier for your prospective agent.

Once your agent meets these criteria, you should call to schedule an interview to learn more.

Devin & David Ratoosh, Marvin Gardens Berkeley, (510) 919-5499, devin@ratoosh.com