Does Your Realtor Work For You???

Finding a realtor who works FOR you is as important a decision as deciding to buy, sell or rent your home.  Accessability is key.  Does your realtor communicate with you???  One of my new clients asked for specific questions to be answered by a co-op board before they would agree to list.  It was important for me to stay on top of the Board in order to get the required information before they agreed to list.  They had complained that another realtor they spoke to, didn't get back to them promptly, so they asked around and I was given the referral.  So phone calls and emails should be promptly returned and updates given regularly. 

 Is your realtor personable?  Recently I heard of a client whose contract had to be cancelled due to the selling realtor being rude and argumentative with the appraiser.  Subsequently, the appraisal returned extremely low and the purchase was lost.  In the business of real estate, networking and connections are essential and a successful real estate transaction requires coordinating and communicating with others involved - mortgage brokers, lawyers, co-op boards, appraisers, etc.

Is your realtor trustworthy??  Are they working for you honestly, or only telling you what your want to hear.  Clients want guarantees that their homes will be sold for top dollar, in a short amount of time and that is any realtor's end game.  But there are no guarantees.  A reputable realtor can only realistically promise they will work hard and consistently on your behalf.

Go with your gut.  If you're not comfortable with your realtor, shop around.  Experience is important, but so are honesty, communication and a personality that fits you.  And I would welcome the opportunity to be that realtor for you.