As someone purchasing their very first home, you’ll need the services of a professional, experienced real estate agent. This will make a huge difference. A real estate agent will find you a house that suits exactly what you want, and they can make the complex process of buying a home enjoyable. If you want to find a real estate agent in the Denver area, research online and invest some time if you want to find a source that’s professional. With this investment of effort, the home buying process will go much more smoothly.

Prior to beginning your search, you’ll need to understand this home buying process, and learn more about it. With a detailed understanding of how this all works, you won’t have to rely completely on your real estate agent for interpretation in these matters. This knowledge will also lend itself to understanding whether or not your real estate agent is honest and qualified to work with you. There are many internet resources available to educate yourself about the home buying process, whether you’re just looking in the area of Denver, Colorado, or you’re looking elsewhere for a new home.

Because real estate agents are involved in local real estate every day, they’ll have information and connections that you don’t, so it’s important to hire one for this reason. A real estate agent can find a home that’s configured to your needs immediately, and can take you to any house you’re interested in. If you’re looking for a real estate agent in Denver or any other area, find someone who is very familiar with the location you’re looking to purchase in.

It’s very beneficial to work with a real estate agent who has a deep understanding of Denver’s real estate history, as well as the current values for local properties. Their knowledge and experience should help you, the buyer, find the best possible deal. As you’re purchasing a new home, it’s crucial for real estate agents in Denver to work within your expectations and budget. The agent needs to know how to act on an offer which is profitable. This experience and knowledge will come with a good real estate agent, and can save you both money and time when shopping in Denver for a house.

If you’re confused about how to find a great real estate deal in Denver, a real estate agent is available to answer all of these questions for you. Prior to committing to any real estate agent, ask them how long they’ve been involved with the real estate in the area, as well as the industry. It’s also perfectly acceptable to ask them more pointed questions regarding their real estate experience overall. Find out how many sales they’ve recently facilitated for a better understanding of where they stand in the local market. Research online if you want to find homes in Denver, Colorado at www.EasyDenverHomeSearch.com

I know there are a lot of fine agents out there and there are a lot of us to choose from. Whether it’s the neighborhood realtor, a referral that you received from a friend or family or business associate or just somebody you found on the internet, like me. But how do you go about interviewing them?

It’s important to cover 4 specific areas in the interview:

1. Pricing Strategy
2. Marketing Plan
3. Communication Plan
4. Commission

Let’s go through these briefly. And feel free to contact me anytime if you’d like more information or would like to interview me for the job, I’m up for it. You can reach me at, 303-526-2606 or e-mail me at Sam (at) HomeSam.com or check out some of my listings and how I do it at www.HomeSam.com

1. Your pricing strategy. And I do mean strategy. I don’t mean, ‘What’s the broker’s price opinion?’ or ‘What does the CMA say?’ I mean, ‘What’s the strategy to price your home competitively to give you an edge in the market against your neighbors and your neighborhood?’It’s important that you not only have a marketing analysis but know where your home fits within what’s happening. Will your agent take you out to see the competitive listings that are currently active in your neighborhood? I will.
2. The marketing strategy. And what I like to talk about in this market is, ‘Positioning Your Home For Success.’ And what that means is, not only ‘How are we going to advertise and market your property?’ but, ‘How are we going to position it so that it attracts serious buyers and brings offers?’So, within a marketing plan there are 2 key areas:
   
   
   • Internet Advertising
   • Print Advertising

   
   Sure, we’re all going to be in the MLS and stick a sign in the yard. And that’s great! But how are we going to enhance the listing through multimedia services?

   The internet is critically important. Almost 90% of people start their searches there. You can’t just be in the MLS and a link to www.Realtor.com. You have to have enhanced listings in www.Realtor.com which I pay for for you and you have to be on several other websites.  For example, with me, you’ll be visible on about 20 other websites.

   And then, what about print advertising? I know a lot of agents think it’s passé, but it’s really Not. Think about it. I use ‘Homes and Land, for example, and they distribute 35,000 copies that are picked up every month! If 35,000 copies are picked up every month, do you really think it’s unnecessary? It’s very important. Think about the people that are coming in from out of town, out of state, and just want to pick up a magazine at the airport or a hotel.

3. The communication plan. Sure, we’re all great at interviewing and we really look good when we come and sit down in your kitchen and show you our listing plan and our great sales plans. But what about once were listed? Is your agent going to do a weekly update for you? That’s how I do it. I provide you with a written weekly update that includes:
   
   
   • Feedback from showings. Which is very important.
   • Other activity that sprung up in your neighborhood – new listings houses that have sold and any activity that you should be aware of, so that you can make strategic decisions on how to reposition your home, if necessary.
4. The commission. Well, for all you get, you definitely get what you pay for in this business. And it’s important that you’re comfortable with what you’re paying an agent to provide the service and value that you deserve.By law, commissions are negotiable. So, we should all be willing to negotiate our commissions. And we should also be willing to do the work that is required to get your home sold. Because guess what, we don’t make a dime until your house sells.

So, it’s a win-win situation. And you want to negotiate from that standpoint. And if you’d like any information on any of these topics or would like to interview me for your job, then please contact me, (303-526-2606)

Until next time.