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Secrets to Getting the Best Agent
(How to get your agent to work harder for you)

By , USA

Expectations and Progress
Your first counseling session with an agent sets the stage for your relationship.Discuss your expectations in detail and what you have done so far to start the process.

Let them know about any disappointments from previous agents, such as not returning phone calls, late for appointments, vague answers to your questions.

Discussing your approach will help them understand where to fill in some gaps, make sure you haven't missed vital information to protect your interests and open up the marketplace to you if your previous efforts were scattered.

The ability to really listen to your needs and wants and help you focus are traits of the best agents.Your input will allow them to find the best communities, schools, and neighborhoods to match your budget.Communication is so important to your satisfaction with an agent that you shouldestablish how frequently they plan to contact you and how (telephone, e-mail, fax, etc.) at your very first meeting.

Maybe you are a "high maintenance" buyer and need more frequent and thorough communication.There in nothing wrong with needing more contact but to keep from being a pain in the neck show your appreciation for the extra help and attention.A "thanks" and acknowledgment of professional skill goes a long way with most agents.

An industry that in the past has spent so much effort convincing you that it is as easy as 1-2-3 and every office is #1, is paying a price today for minimizing the work involved in representing buyers and sellers in a complicated, risk-filled business.

Make it easy for agents to get the information to you via voice mail, fax and answering machines.You can schedule a time for a personal conversation, either on the phone or in the office, for some of the stickier issues or decisions to be made.