It saddens me to see the latest news reports about a company from Florida working “in real estate” offering small sums of money to Pittsburgh homeowners in exchange for a lifetime contract to sell their house.
There are many educated, certified, ethical local Realtors in the area. There are also Pennsylvania laws, and approved contracts, and a PA Code of Ethics that ensure the public is well cared for during the buying and selling processes.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling a house there are several steps that can be taken, and a few you should not miss. First of all, consider the company that the Realtor works for. Is it a name you recognize? Coldwell Banker, for example, has been around for 116 years. They have systems and training in place to ensure that the professionals under their umbrella are following the Rules of Ethics.
Second, go online and research the Realtor. I can guarantee that the Florida company I mentioned above has very few positive reviews and has likely pages of negative press. A good Realtor should have many positive reviews and also many past sales on their site. This shows you they have experience in handling many of the different situations that can arise in a real estate transaction.
Third, meet the Realtor. Ask them questions. Ask for comparable home sales in the areas you are buying or selling. Ask about the process of buying or selling a home. Does the Realtor make you feel comfortable with their experience? Do you feel like you are being “sold” or “pressured”? Buying and selling is a stressful time in your life. You want to feel very comfortable with the professional you choose…you will be going down a long road together and you want it to be a positive one.
Finally, ask a friend who has recently bought or sold a house. Notice, I didn’t say simply “ask a friend”. There are thousands of Realtors in Southwest PA alone. Everybody knows someone, or many people, with a real estate license. Don’t choose your sister’s neighbor or your second cousin to help you unless you have seen they have passed all of the tests above. Being a good Realtor is a full time commitment and is not an easy job.
Make sure you follow these steps and find a full time, hard working, honest Realtor. You will be happy you did.
