Welcome to our Real Estate 101series! This is another in a series of articles we’ll be doing to help educate clients and the public in general about relevant topics in the world of real estate. This is important because real estate is a “hyper” local market. What works in one location may not work in another. Lawrence, KS is very different from rural Kansas markets. Perhaps even more different than it is from say, New York City! So, these topics we cover will be very specific to Lawrence and the surrounding areas but may not relate to other places so well. With that being said, let’s dive into our next topic: Choosing a REALTOR!
When it comes to buying or selling a home in Lawrence, KS the thing that should come to mind first is the current market conditions. Specifically, any buyer or seller should understand that this is still a very strong Seller’s Market. And, knowing that, they should choose a REALTOR that understand that market and how to navigate it. This is the place to start!
How to find the right agent? Referrals are a good place to start. Online research is another. Our clients typically find us this way. A majority of our clients are referred to us from past clients. This is absolutely the way we prefer to do business!
There are a lot of criteria to weigh when looking for a REALTOR, but here’s what we recommend: They should be a full-time agent and they should have a sales history they can speak to. They don’t have to be the top agent in town (that agent may be TOO busy) but they should have experience.
Next, they should have designations. The one we specifically recommend they have is the CRS or Certified Residential Specialist. Ryan is, in fact, a CRS. To put this into perspective, there are over 300 REALTORS in Lawrence, and there are only 20 CRS’s. This is the gold standard of real estate designations. Ryan is also a GRI, ABR and is C2EX certified in addition to being a licensed broker. Katie is an e-Pro and C2EX certified as well. Most agents don’t bother at all with furthering their education beyond standard CE, and it shows.
Going further, they should be involved in advocacy. Ryan has been very involved over the years with various committee and volunteer work regarding housing and government issues as well as work on consumer advocacy, technology, contracts, forms and ethics in the MLS. He has served as the 2019 Inaugural Chairperson of the Lawrence Board of REALTORS Community Foundation, the 2020 Lawrence Board of REALTORS President, and currently he is a Regional Vice President for the Kansas Association of REALTORS. Not everyone has to be engaged at this high of a level, but if they aren’t engaged at all then that should be a red flag.
No conversation about choosing an agent would be complete without talking commission. Indeed, commission is a central element of choosing your agent, it’s no small thing! Any REALTOR worth hiring should be easily able to describe how and how much they are to be paid and for what services. They should also easily be able to justify the amount they get paid to convey the value they bring in the transaction. If they can't to your satisfaction, move on!
Actually, the more a prospective client talks about commission with a potential agent, the more they’re demanding from their agent right then and there! This will show them you know what you’re doing and that by hiring them, you expect results! To see how our commission model is very different, check out our Buyer Services Page and our Seller Services Page.
And lastly, you should choose someone you like! If you don’t like super-slick, sharky salespeople then don’t choose one as your agent. There are more than enough of those out there! If you feel you’re being put on the hook, it’s time to add another agent to the list to interview. Desperate times call for desperate agents. In our opinion, a client should choose a REALTOR they feel they can trust. Consumer advocacy is NOT the first thing much of the public thinks about when thinking of REALTORS. So, if you can find an agent who values education, transparency, and peace-of-mind, then you’ve found a winner!
