Realtors tend to have a bad image. People compare us to used car salesmen. In all of those "lists" in magazines we tend to be the least trusted, the worst career, etc. etc. Some of the complaints against us include that we get paid too much, we aren't professional, we don't know any more than the average homebuyer, it's too easy to get in to real estate, etc.
It is far too easy to get a real estate license in my opinion. I think our industry should be held to a higher standard and it is hard to keep that standard up when everybody and their brother are licensed whether they know what they are doing or not. That is why it is so important for you as a homebuyer or seller not to just get any old Realtor to help you with your real estate purchase or sale.
It makes me cringe when people tell me things like, "Oh, my sister's best friend just got her license. She's only doing it part time and hasn't had any sales yet. I'm going to use her to help her out."
Your job in choosing a Realtor is not "to help them out." No wonder people complain about Realtor commissions. Paying thousands of dollars to "help someone out" when they may not know how to do the best job for you is a little ridiculous.
Yes, our clients are very important and I thank each and every one of mine for choosing to use me as their agent. But, the reason you choose me should be that I am knowledgable in my field and I can get the job done for you, not because you think you are "helping me out." When you hire a professional with something as big as purchasing or selling a house your main concern should be how well they do their job and if they can do it well for you.
I'm not saying that you should never use a new agent. Many new agents have a lot of zeal, and a lot of time to work with you or on your purchase or sale. But they do need to have some knowledge, and especially a network of other agents, a mentor and/or their broker to assist them through the entire process with you if something comes up they don't know about.
I've done a couple of posts about this already answering 14 Questions to Ask Any Real Estate Agent (a 14 part series, see previous posts in my blog).
If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Boise, Idaho area please take a look at the questions mentioned above and call or email me to see how I can best help you. BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, Boise Idaho
kaseyboles@boiserealtystore.com / johnboles@boiserealtystore.com
Associate Broker, GRI, CRS, REALTOR®, ABR, ePRO, SRS, SFR
Search Like An Agent at kasey.BoiseMeridanRealEstate.com
This is not intended as solicitation if you are in contract with another real estate agent.
