xp: Qualities of a seller's REA?

[Deleted]

Questions:

1.  WDYT are the best qualities of a seller's REA?

2.  Does the REA needs to be familiar with the area/neighborhood?  From this website, REA does not need to be.  Agree/disagree?

3.  How important is it to have virtual tours?

I'm contacting 2 REAs today.  I really hope it's not too late to schedule a meeting with them for this weekend.  Or is this enough heads up to a good, responsive REA?

Background info:  I posted here about the first realtor we chose.  It sucks since we were hoping to list next week.

[tarheels]

1) communication and good photos. We were in negotiations when my agent's daughter went into labor - my agent kept on texting and emailing throughout the whole thing. I know there's a lot of waiting around, but there's still a lot going on, too, and here she is sending off counter offers lol. Buuut, while she was awesome about that, her listing photos were iPhone photos (!) that did nothing for the space - I retook some and emailed them to her.

2) I don't think so. They're not doing the active selling - that's what the buyer's agent does.

3) Meh, as a buyer, I can take them or leave them. I don't think they're all that helpful when they're the kind that just plays the still photos. The Mouse on House (?) ones that are linked to the floor plan are awesome though.

[bunnymendelbaum]

1) Communication is paramount!
I honestly think our photos sold our house. Hire a pro. Best $100 we EVER spent.

2) I don't think it matter so much except in helping you price.

3) I'm impatient, so I don't like "real" virtual tours, but most people call photo slide shows virtual tours.

[Deleted]

Thanks all for the feedback.

asdfjkl --- Ouch! Sorry you're going through a rough time finding an agent. It definitely sucks. Ugh! It now actually makes me wonder if I'll ever find a great one and that I may have to settle with a "good enough" agent.

Another Question: Do you think it matters whether the REA is full-time or part-time? Should I avoid a part-time REA?

[tarheels]

Part-time concerns me only in that I want full-time attention. If you feel comfortable that you can reach the agent and that they're really earning their commission, I think it's fine.

[hbomdiggity]

Knowledgeable and responsive.

When we bought we had a ball making fun of the douchebag listing agent. Despite 15 credentials behind his name (for what we have no idea) he didn't know some basic things about what his client is responsible for. He also sent us paperwork for a previous offer by mistake (it was his clients counter to that offer). The owner was also out of the country which also complicated things.

Virtual tours that are simply still shots put to music is not helpful. I think good photos are much more important.

[mrs.jacinthe]

1. Assertive.  Good networking skills.  Good writing and photography skills (or a willingness to hire someone with those skills).  Good listener.  Prompt and responsive.

2. Yes.  I think the REA will be better able to sell the property if they're familiar with the neighborhood.

3. Not that important.  I'd rather see a floor plan.

[sunshine608]

I say avoid part time, unless you want a discount or know the person can manage ( they have a flexible regular job) .

My CW was a REA FT then started doing part time when she started working here but quit b/c she said it was too much. She warned me against a PT REA, and described how hard it was to focus on clients when things were falling apart or needed her immediate attention, she couldn't leave her main job and handle them. She tried to do closings over lunch and it just ended in a bunch of messes. I didn't listen and our first one was PT and it was horrible, especially in a fast moving market. The PT REA was not able to keep up communication and wasn't always available b/c of her other job. We ended up finding someone else and its worked out great.

I'm sure there are some good PT ones, but it just depends on your needs.