St. Louis Real Estate Partner DO and DO NOT Signs
It can be frustrating to be reminded about a mistake with the phrase: hindsight is 20/20. But when dealing with a purchase as large as a home even the slightest mistake can be costly. Knowing what to ask a St. Louis real estate partner and what to look for as red flags can help keep the bad ones out of your picture.
Questions Any Good St. Louis Real Estate Partner Will Answer
Quality St. Louis real estate partners will have thorough, informative answers to the following questions for you:
- How many homes have you found buyers for in this town/neighborhood/zip code over the past year? Any successful St. Louis real estate partner will be teeming with these figures for you.
- Do you feel comfortable communicating via x, roughly x times a week, or as needed for updates? You want to find a mode of communication that fits into your lifestyle. No one wants to avoid finding out their current listing state because they fear the endless phone calls that await. Keep it short, sweet and professional. Text and e-mail should be easy to do by any agent.
- What does your web presence look like? What type of audience do you reach? Can you show me some listings you have active? You want to test the strength of their marketing presence. When you list your home, you want it to reach anyone searching for it on the Internet.
- How do you structure your commission payment, and what are your expectations? Ask if the partner expects the buyer or seller to pay their commission, whether they expect any fees for work completed – a good partner won’t – and gauge the competitiveness in their answer.
- Who can I call as past clients for your references? Answers like ‘I am new here’ or ‘I have only worked on the sellers, or buyers, side before’ should be immediate grounds for a NO.
If a Real Estate Partner Says it, Run
Bad partners will come to light pretty quickly and clearly with some communication. Look for some of these red flag phrases:
- “The partner’s success counts, not their real estate firm.” A real estate partner is only as strong as their weakest link. If it’s their entire team, then there’s just no hope.
- “My commissions are lower than the competition, and I will outbid anyone.” Real estate isn’t just a business, it’s an art. A successful partner will know the value of their work.
- “I have sold more homes than any other agent in the last year.” What was their track record when it came to the gross sales or average price per unit for the same period?
- “All realtors have to obtain the same credentials, and are trained under the same programs – they will have comparable knowledge levels.” Some real estate professionals attend extra schooling and training and it is demonstrated by their title. Just because a seller is successful at selling one area or type of home, doesn’t mean they know anything about yours.
While you may be tempted to hire a friend or relative as your St. Louis real estate partner, remember their job isn’t to entertain you over drinks; it’s to make you the best deal possible. A good partner will make time for your interview, will take time to answer your questions and make you feeling comfortable conversing.