[quote author="OCCOBRA" date=1240236407][quote author="graphrix" date=1240071695]Alright, I will give my personal opinion of what I personally expect of a RE agent. By no means is this meant for anyone in particular, by no means should it be taken personally, and it should be taken as my general and personal opinion. Which isn't worth as much as the ?2 it was worth when I first started using ?2.
I want an agent that knows as much, if not more about the area, and or homes I am looking at than me. That means:
* They need to know who the builder was, when it was built, and what it has sold for ever since.
* They need to know the recent comps, as well as the recent foreclosures, who is in foreclosure, what stage of foreclosure, and when they bought and how much debt they have in the neighborhood. (If you don't know how to get this info or the info above, then I am available on a consultant basis.)
* They need to know if there are any soil/construction/lawsuit issues of the neighborhood. And, they should be aware of any permits for McMansion monstrosities that may be in the works that would degrade the neighborhood or block my view.
* They should be aware of any grow houses in the neighborhood. As evidenced by me and by Deuce, they are in some very nice areas, and an area in which I am looking at.
I also want someone who listens for what I really want. I think specializing in a neighborhood only makes agents STEER people into homes they don't really want or cannot afford. Just because you "specialize" in Northpark, because my wants fit into 10 houses there, doesn't mean there are not 120 other homes in Irvine, N. Tustin, or Orange that fit my wants, and at a better price. If you want to specialize in one area, then I expect you to show me homes from other than that area, and refer me to someone else who knows the area... since you admit you don't know anything else but the area that you "specialize" in, otherwise you might be guilty of STEERING people into homes. That, and I think anyone who only "specializes" in one area is either too lazy to learn about other areas or too dumb to. Yeah, I know a lot about VP, OPA, Orange, Tustin, N. Tustin, a chunk of Irvine, and Anaheim Hills, bits of Yorba Linda, the majority of Costa Mesa, most of Newport and NC, some about Laguna Beach, and even a little about S. County... and, it isn't even my job to do so.
So if I give you requirements to what it is I am seeking, then I expect you to branch out of the area, and think outside the box. And, I think if I tell you:
* While I prefer a single story, I would look at home that is two story if the staircase does not lead out the door. Or, if the stove is not directly beneath the master bedroom bed, or any of the other bedroom beds, In fact, it shouldn't be beneath a bedroom. If it is, then I get to slap you across the head. You didn't listen.
* If you show me a home where the front door lines up with the back door or sliding door, then I get to cut your hair how I please. You didn't listen.
* If I see tile all across the main living areas, then I get to kick you in the ass. You didn't listen. WTF is so wrong with carpet in the family/living room anyway? Why does it have to be so cold?
* If there are very few windows in the master, or the windows don't open, then I get to head butt you. You didn't listen.
* If you email me a listing without photos, and you didn't take the time to snap some shots yourself at the broker preview or before (since we all know listings get forward dating), because your fellow Realturd was too lazy to get some up on the MLS, then I get to pick you up by your feet and drop you on your head. You didn't listen.
* If you even dare to show me a home on a lot with less than 8k sqft., then I get to blind fold you, spin you around in circles until you almost puke, and fire my air rifle at you while you spin around in dizzy stupor. You didn't listen.
With all these requirements, and they are only a few of mine, then how can anyone "specialize" in one area. Either work harder to learn the areas, or meet people that do, so that you can refer to them when you know that you are the weaker person for the job.
More importantly, I expect experience on the the escrow front. There are many here who think an RE transaction is as easy as filling out offer contract, but there is a lot more to it, and anyone who has ever been through more than one RE transaction in their life knows that sh*t happens and there will be a problem. I don't ever want to hear: "I don't know", and even more importantly I don't want to hear some BS, only to come find out later that it was BS. I expect that you have the knowledge to solve a problem, or have access to those that do, to solve it without me ever knowing that there was a problem.
I also expect that if there is a property that fits my profile in this market, that if it is cheaper to rent than buy, which is very likely, then I expect to be shown the lease market alternatives to be shown to me as well.
This might be my own personal expectations of a RE agent, and I know I have a lot more, but they are everything I would expect an agent to deliver for any other IHBer, not just me. As I have gotten to know IrvineRealtor, and how he handles the market and his clients, I am confident he will meet my needs as well as any other IHBer when the time is right. Whether that time is now, or whether it is in the future. He knows his place, and is more than willing to refer people to someone who knows more than he does when that is the case. He will also be sure to show you the lease alternatives that are out there, and make sure that the landlord is secure as best as he can tell. Trust me, he got the royal four letter word about Kool-Aid introduction, that most deserve and still should get, but he has the cajones to stick around. He has, and will continue to prove his value to IHB.</blockquote>
I'm sorry i feel asleep. Lots of truth in what you said. I just want proper signage and donuts at the open house...</blockquote>
Donuts at open houses? I like that idea, but they better be fresh. haha