Quote:
Originally Posted by JerseyStrong1
My wife and I are looking to sell our house in North Plainfield and buy a house near Morristown. We would like to use the same realtor in both transactions. Should we look for a realtor near our current location or our future location?
Also, what is the best way to find a realtor other than personal recommendations? We've read reviews online, but they're not very helpful as they're almost all overwhelmingly positive.
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You are paying for expertise. A strong listing agent in North Plainfield who knows what they are doing and has a strong track record of sales activity in that area is your best choice for getting your home sold quickly and efficiently.
That agent will probably know little or nothing about Morristown. I would pick a local agent in Morristown for the purchase. Someone who knows the area well and can give you the expertise you are paying for.
At times, your listing agent will attempt to get both deals and give you a discount on the sell to get the buy. This is fine if you are staying in the same area and the agent can be expected to have knowledge and expertise in both areas. But if the markets are different, you should choose separate pros. You might save a percent on your sales commission, but is that agent going to have any idea about pricing and the market in the new neighborhood? Probably not.
Also, do not use a referral agent from your listing agent. Typically they get a 25%-35% referral fee, which means your buying agent is someone who was desperate enough to work for a huge pay cut. Usually not what you are looking for. So find each of your agents on your own.
As far as how to locate an agent? It's pretty simple. Interviews. Ask direct questions like this:
For your listing agent:
How long have you been in the business?
How are you specifically different and better than other agents?
I know you are nice and trustworthy. But what do you bring to the table that the other agents don't?
Are you willing to guarantee my satisfaction by unconditionally letting me out of the listing in 2 weeks if I am not in love with your service?
These are tough questions. Observe how comfortable or uncomfortable your job applicant appears when answering them.
For your buyers agent:
Why are you better than other buyers agents that I am interviewing? Specifically? What are you going to do for me that the other buyer's agents cannot do. Specifically?
How and what do you know about the market that other agents do not? How does that benefit me?
More tough questions. The successful candidate for your business will be able to answer them comfortably and conclusively.
You are paying big money for this service. On both ends. You should expect a lot, and either receive a lot in a short period of time or have a written agreement that allows you to get rid of the agent
effortlessly if the need arises. Many agents are slick at presenting. But performing? Not so much. That is why you need the written exit clause. A good agent will not have a problem with that because they routinely give excellent service and are almost never dumped. So the guarantee of easy separation is one they rarely if ever expect to deliver upon.
But going back to your question you want separate agents in separate markets.
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