Choosing the Right Agent

Ten Key Points to Consider when Choosing A San Diego Real Estate Agent

Whether you are buying or selling a downtown property, the REALTOR® you select may be your most important decision. After all, you're choosing a business partner!

Of course, we hope you'll choose us. --But no matter who you decide on, consider these ten critical points:

1. Experience:

You might be surprised to discover how many San Diego real estate agents only work part-time or have other jobs. --And well over half quit the business within their first year! If you want your home sale or purchase to be top priority, don't gamble on a part-time agent or someone who lacks a long, successful track record for buying and selling downtown San Diego residential property.

2. Personal compatibility:

Sure, the bottom line is getting the right price for your home. But if you don't have a good relationship with your agent, can you be sure they have your best interests in mind? If you don't feel your real estate salesperson is available when you have questions or if you don't feel comfortable with him or her, you have the wrong agent.

3. Credentials:

Not all real estate salespeople are REALTORS®. This designation indicates completion of advanced training, experience and adherence to professional codes of conduct. Other important credentials to look for include Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Graduate REALTORS® Institute (GRI) designations.

4. Residential Expertise:

Only 5% of Realtors earn Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation. Certified Residential Specialists have demonstrated their abilities through education, training and sales volume. Learn more about what the CRS designation means.

5. Hard Data:

Your Realtor should show you research to back up any recommendations. This includes information about recent sales, current listings and recent expired listings in your neighborhood.

6. Locals Only:

Even if you're relocating and currently live outside of San Diego, choose a local REALTOR® with real experience downtown. This market is very popular now, but it's also very specific. Chances are, any amount you might save by having a friend or relative from outside the area serve as your representative will be lost in their lack of knowledge and connections with the area's key players.

7. References and Referrals:

Always ask your potential agent how he or she gets most business. The answer you're looking for? Referrals. Just as with doctors, lawyers and financial professionals, the success of a REALTOR® is built on positive word-of-mouth recommendations. Do ask for references and names of previous clients. Here are some of ours.

8. Efforts:

You should have a clear understanding of everything a REALTOR® will do to market the downtown home you're selling or help you find the perfect downtown home, condo or apartment. Consider the office and company support available to him or her as well as the initiative and professionalism shown by the individual. Look for a REALTOR® who tells you what he or she knows from experience in the market, and not what they think you want to hear. Flattery may sometimes get the listing, but it doesn't sell the home!

9. Results:

How many homes has your potential agent sold or helped clients purchase downtown? Again, you're looking for experience in downtown San Diego's very specific market and you're interested in real numbers to indicate experience and skill. We'd love to share with you our success - call us today!

10. Information, Please!

Savvy downtown San Diego residents and residents-to-be are accustomed to having every means of information at their disposal. Fortunately, today's technology offers many more ways to remain "in the loop" when it comes to your downtown real estate transaction.

We like to brag that our clients are the smartest people in town! If you want to know what's going on with your property in a way that works with your busy schedule, choose Sandra Melville to help you buy or sell downtown!