Finding A REALTOR®
This site is about what a Realtor is, and what a Realtor does for buyers (“Buyer’s Agents”) and sellers (Seller’s Agents) in Las Cruces and how to select the right Realtor for you.
- You will not find a list of Realtors or their websites.
- This site is NOT one in which Realtors pay to advertise.
- You WILL find out how to avoid the Internet traps that have been set for you to choose what might be exactly the wrong Realtor, for exactly the wrong reason.
- You will find out how to interview Realtors to get the information that you should have before choosing a realtor.
- Lastly, based on all of these factors, we will recommend a REALTOR® for anyone who is considering buying or selling a home in, or relocating to, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Who Is, and What Is a REALTOR®?
The terms Real Estate Agent, and REALTOR® are often used interchangeably, but have very different meanings. Only about half of the 2,000,0000 agents (also called salespersons) currently licensed are REALTORS®. You need to learn who is, and what is, a REALTOR®, and the reasons why you should only use a REALTOR® when you buy or sell real estate.
As a pre-requisite to selling real estate, (The Real Estate Agent) is a person who is licensed by the state in which they work, either as an agent/salesperson or as a broker. Before a license is issued, minimum standards for education, examinations and experience, which are determined on a state-by-state basis. These requirements must be met for that person to become a Real Estate Agent or Real Estate Salesperson.
A Real Estate Agent is a REALTOR® when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) …the world's largest professional association with over 1 million members. Most importantly, a REALTOR® is a Real Estate Professional who subscribes to, and is legally bound by, a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. (Click to see a full copy of the Code and Standards). This is what protects you legally and morally. The NAR and its REALTOR® members are pledged to preserving the free enterprise system and the right to own real property. Only a REALTOR® may call themselves a REALTOR®, display the Realtor symbol "R" on business cards, yard signs, and wear their REALTOR® pin.
Whether You Are A Buyer Or A Seller You Need a REALTOR®
Find Out What a REALTOR® Can Do For You that helps you through the complex process of Buying or Selling Real Estate, and assures you a quick, smooth, profitable transaction, with the least hassle for you.
Find out what a REALTOR® does for a buyer. (Click here)
Find out what a REALTOR® does for a seller. (Click here)
The MOST IMPORTANT THING IS SELECTING THE RIGHT REALTOR FOR YOU BUT ...BUYER BEWARE!
What you MUST consider is to use the process outlined below in making your selection no matter who or what entity suggests an Agent for you.
The list of possible sources for finding a Realtor is almost infinite but it the majority are:
- You may know a Realtor personally or from a previous transaction.
- You may have a “family member” that is a Realtor.
- You may get a recommendation from a friend
- You may be using the Internet in one form or another. This is the most dangerous method.
The reason that I can say this is that with the record number of homes being sold come a record number of new and inexperienced agents entering the market place. This makes Number 1, 2, and 3 obviously risky. None of these sources gives you any guarantee or security that your choice is the best one for you. The wrong selection will cost you thousands of dollars.
When we get to agent source # 4, you need to know that a whole new industry of “middle men” has sprung up. These, fall into a number of categories all of which are bad for you, because there is no assurance the agent that these companies represent to you has the qualifications you need. In general the middle man is getting paid in one way or another by the agent for the recommendation. This is often independent of the qualifications of the Agents.
Again, I say Buyer Beware. Before you select a Real Estate Agent to represent you consider using the process outlined below in making your selection no matter who or what entity suggests an Agent for you. How to evaluate an agent.
Without any obligation, you can invite local REALTORS® to visit with you and give you a "listing or buyer presentation" about why they're the best one to work for you, but most importantly they should answer all your questions, and provide you with the answer to the following questions.
First, Find Out Who Does The Agent Represent?
Whether you are a buyer or seller you will want a clear answer to this question. This is called “Agency”. It will determine how much information and representation that the agent is required to give you and how much information the agent will reveal to the other party in the transaction. (Click here for a full explanation of Agency and the New Mexico Agency Disclosure Form)
Beyond the question of who the agent represents, you need to ask any potential agent that is going to represent you the following list of questions. The answers will help you determine whether the Agent you are interviewing is the right one for you.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a REALTOR®
- How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate, like many other professions, it is certainly a good barometer.
- What designations do you hold? (Designations, such as ABR, GRI, CRS, and e-Pro, which require that real estate professionals take additional, specialized real estate training, are held by only a small percentage real estate practitioners.)
- How many homes did you and your company sell last year?
- How many days did it take you to sell the average home? How did that compare to the overall market?
- How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices?
- What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? Look for someone who has aggressive, innovative approaches, not just someone who’s going to put a sign in the yard and hope for the best.
- Will you represent me exclusively, or will you represent both the buyer and the seller in the transaction? While it’s usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, it’s important to understand where the practitioner’s obligations lie. A good practitioner will explain the agency relationship to you and describe the rights of each party. It’s also possible to insist that the practitioner represent you exclusively.
- Can you recommend service providers who can assist me in obtaining a mortgage, making repairs on my home, and other things I need done? (Keep in mind here that real estate professionals should generally recommend more than one provider and should tell you if they receive any compensation from any provider.)
- What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you? (Having resources, such as in-house services & support staff, can help a real estate professional sell your home.)
- What’s your business philosophy? (While there’s no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what’s important to the real estate practitioner—fast sales, service, etc.—and determine how closely the practitioner’s goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.)
- How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently? Using what media? (Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but that one reflects your desires. Do you want updates twice a week or don’t want to be bothered unless there’s a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit?)
- Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients?
I am interested in finding an agent in Las Cruces to represent ME
Evelyn is a full-time agent of Las Cruces with extensive knowledge, significant marketing and sales experience, as well as technological expertise, as is expressed in her credentials, and as attested to by her clients. She has a high level of professionalism, and the commitment to guarantee your goals will be met .
“Since 1988, I have been dedicated to matching people with just the right property. I approach each client and each real estate transaction with hard work, business savvy, and a keen market sense that has consistently made me one of the top agents in Las Cruces. My commitment is to provide my clients with personal and caring service." Evelyn Bruder
This site is provided by:
Evelyn Bruder, Realtor, of Steinborn GMAC Real Estate
141 Roadrunner Parkway Suite 141
Las Cruces, NM 88011
575-522-3698
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