Dawna Davies and her assistant Jodi Blanchard did an exceptional job in helping us sell our home in San Luis Obispo. Dawna’s intelligence and knowledge of the business made the whole complex process easy for us to understand and navigate. What seemed like counter-intuitive advice at the start—that we should be extremely thorough in discovering any possible problems with the forty year old house and present them in advance—turned out to streamline the final transaction by building trust in potential buyers and removing the possibility of unpleasant surprises and uncertainty for us. Her contacts with a wide range of local business people who carried out many preparatory operations quickly and economically offered another unique benefit. Her tact and amiability made our numerous interactions pleasant rather than wary. And Jodi’s work in converting the box full of documents from our files into a coherent house-maintenance-history binder meticulous and creative. From start to finish our involvement with Davies Company was personally as well as financially rewarding.
1. Seek Only Single-Agency agents. This type of agent works only for one party in each transaction, the buyer or seller, but never for both sides. In addition to receiving strong advocacy, a buyer with this kind of representation will be able search for properties beyond the Multiple Listing Service, including For Sale By Owner properties. For a seller, this agent will be protective of the seller's position in the transaction, preserving the strongest possible negotiation position.
2. Be Prepared to be Loyal. Interview and search for agents as long as you like, but you will get the best service and hardest work when your agent knows that you are committed to them. This agreement for representation can be formalized with a Listing Agreement or a Buyer’s Broker agreement.
3. Read News and Reviews. Agents who are active in the marketplace have a presence online and are in the public attention. Find out how they are perceived. If you want your transaction to be handled professionally, find an agent who is respected. Like it or not, your offer or property may be compared to the reputation of the agent you have hired. Look them up on www.dre.ca.gov to determine their license status and if they have had any disciplinary action against them. Ask about their specialization, if any.
4. Observe Agents in Action. Interview them, but also independently research their online marketing activities for properties. Imagine them as your mouthpiece. Does their presentation match their experience and years in the business?
5. Consider Your Own Personal Situation. How you like to communicate? (Texting, email, phone, in person?) What is your schedule and will it accommodate being available for buying or selling a home? Why do you feel that owning a home realistic for you? Give this information to agents as you interview them.