Expert Column
Lisa Dunn 
Lisa Dunn is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Minnesota. While...read more
Articles In This Column
- How the Economic Crisis is Affecting Senior Homeowners
- Selling Your Home: How the Housing Crisis & Economy Factor In
- How Moving Can Save Your Parents Money
- Reverse Mortgages Pros and Cons
- How Can a Real Estate Agent Save Me Money?
- 8 Tips for Hiring a Great Real Estate Agent
- How to Hire a Realtor Who Specializes in Working with Seniors
- My Mom Needs to Move...I Think!
Real Estate for Seniors
Comments For "8 Tips for Hiring a Great Real Estate Agent"
I am a realtor and I found this very informative. Greg Moser
With the real estate market across the country making headlines every day, I think it is that much more important to pick the right real estate agent to help you sell your home. Just 2 or 3 years ago, all you needed to do was stick a "For Sale" sign in the yard and your home would sell within days with multiple offers.
While the market is still doing OK in some places (like San Francisco, where I am a Realtor) - other places in the country have not weathered the storm nearly as well. And the worse the market - the more important it is to have a dedicated real estate consultant representing you.
One of the suggestions you mentioned that struck a chord with me was to not choose an agent based solely on their rate of commission. Especially in markets where it's more difficult to sell a home, it takes much more of our time and our marketing dollars to make the sale happen - and we really do earn the extra commission to make sure that you get top dollar for your home.
One other thing to keep in mind, in terms of commission, is that if the agent you are considering is willing to negotiate away his commission, how easily do you think he'll be willing to negotiate away a few extra dollars you have coming your way or how quickly do you think he'll try to concede to buyer's demands for repairs? You want a strong negotiator on your side and someone that drops their commission readily won't fight for your money either.
One final thought - make sure your agent is a member of the National Board of Realtors as well as his/her local board. Realtors (not just real estate agents) have a strict code of ethics we must adhere to. We are also kept in the loop of changes in laws and disclosure requirements and are constantly given the opportunity for continuing education through out local board. Not to mention that being a member of the local Realtor board costs us a pretty penny - and any agent that isn't serious enough to become a member of their local board - isn't serious about doing the best job for you!
Like your article! I am dealing Toronto real estate for some years now and I believe finding the right realtor is more important than finding the right home. Because when you find right realtor, he will fin the right property for you and all other aspects of deal will be all right. But when you find the right property with unprofessional realtor, the deal may bring you a lot of troubles. If you are young it's easier to cope with it, but seniors often don't want to get involved into troubles and argues so I believe right realtor is more important for them as for youngters...
Greg, thanks for stopping by. I bet you’ll find many more articles on the Gilbert Guide that will be helpful to you with senior clients!
Luba-Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. There is a difference between real estate agents and Realtors. Realtors have agreed to the code of ethics put forth by the National Association of Realtors. Interested? See the code of ethics here.
All my best,
Lisa Dunn
I think this is an excellent article, as far as it goes. However, as this site is focused on seniors I believe I would include Step #9: Ask what experience your Realtor might have in locating and analyzing accessible homes.
It is absolutely crucial to seniors in the house hunting process to consider accessibility into and around any home they might consider. You have to ask yourself, how would this home perform if I developed a mobility impairment. I say ask yourself, because your Realtor may not know what to ask.
If you've never sat in a wheelchair, do so. Move around in it, down a hall, through a door, into the bath and see if you can shut the door behind you. It will leave a lasting impression that will make you a better shopper. Educate yourself.
And speaking of education, the National Association of Realtors is to be commended for their Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation awarded to those Realtors who have completed a course of study on providing service to seniors.
As a homebuilder, Realtor, public speaker and universal design consultant I feel passionately about these issues.
Thank you for allowing me to make these comments.
Bill Slease
Bravo, Bill! Thank you for the insightful comments. Many senior housing communities, even those built recently, are not built with accessibility in mind. Wheelchairs and walkers often don't fit through the doorways or work with the existing counter tops and sinks. Often, the light switches are too high, the electrical outlets too low and the round doorknobs used on doors and closets are almost unusable for someone with limited dexterity.
Thank you for the nod for the Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation!
As an real estate realtor I found this one pretty much informative. Thanks for the good work.