8 Things to Expect From Your Realtor

Whether you find your Realtor at a cocktail party, or use a friend or family member, the same expectations must be met across the board. 
To most people, real estate transactions are the largest and most stressful of their lifetime, so it’s important to select a Realtor the same way you’d select a brain surgeon or a financial adviser: you do some research and you insist they meet your expectations. The expectations I would expect from another Realtor are below:

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Rule #1:

Know my neighborhood

Real estate is local. It is essential that your Realtor lives within 10 miles of where you are looking.
Here in Fairfield County, CT, I have turned down buyers and sellers in Hamden, and New Haven, because they are just too far. I don't know those areas well enough. I live here in Norwalk. I've been in this neighborhood for over 25 years. I know the nuances of living in these local towns, something that a NY agent might not know.

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Rule #2:

Know my home's value

Our team has a reputation of pricing homes realistically. Our thoroughness in pricing is starkly contrasted to other agents. That's why our team ranks is #1 in transactions out of over 175 Realtors in Norwalk. We get your house SOLD!

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Rule #3: ​

Have proper accreditations

A salesperson license is just the beginning.
Our team maintains accreditations as CRS: Certified Residential Specialist; ABR: Accredited Buyer Representative; SRES: Senior Real Estate Specialist; ASP: Accredited Staging Professional and we assist you with all the services provided by William Raveis Real Estate and Home Services.

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Rule #4: ​

Be there to the end of the deal!

We don't just stop at inking contracts. We help you with mortgages, relocation, senior assistance - we even hold tag sales to help clean out your home. ​This is a full-service industry. If you need it, your agent should be able to provide it, or find someone who will. 

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Rule #5:

Promote my property
​(if selling)

Everyone will have your listings on MLS, do Open Houses, and take out newspaper ads. You Realtor should go several steps beyond that! We put you on our website, we do virtual tours, flyers, and mailings. We advertise on Trulia, Zillow, Craig's List, Facebook, Twitter and many more sites; all this to ensure that your home sells faster, and at a better price.

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Rule #6: 

Deliver on your promises

Just as I have set expectations of your Realtor in this guide, your Realtor should set expectations for the transaction for you. If they do not meet those, then hold them accountable. If a promise is made, it should be a top priority to fulfill the promise. A good way to gauge this before hiring someone, is to read reviews. Pay attention to these reviews and look for words like 'accountable', 'honest', 'thorough', etc.

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Rule #7: 

Care!

This is part of the intangibles that relieve stress from the largest financial transaction of one's life. It's called peace of mind, and it comes from the care and respect we have for you.

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Rule #8: 

Follow these rules

​We wrote them, so expect us to follow them. 
That's how we earn your trust.
If you are out of town, or have another Realtor in mind, test them to see if they can give an answer for how they will address each rule listed in this post.

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Needless to say, and not included in the 8 above, is this bonus tip: Don't hire a part-time Realtor. Imagine hiring a part-time surgeon - you wouldn't do it.

These requirements for your Realtor are not all-inclusive. There are many little things that put one Realtor above another. But this is a good start to understanding what you should expect. The responsiveness, thoroughness, and effort put forth by a Realtor will make your life easier as you try to sell or buy. 

Note: If you live anywhere in the world, feel free to email me to discuss issues surrounding choosing a Realtor. I'm not allowed (nor want) to discuss aspects of your transaction if you are in contract. Prior to listing/signing with a Realtor, feel free to run it by me!

Good luck in your search. For help in finding someone of quality to represent your interests, don't hesitate to call Joe, no matter where you are seeking a Realtor.