1. Call your prospective realtor and ask some simple question. Did they answer the phone? If you left a message, how long did it take for them to get back to you?
2. Call your realtor’s office. Is it open on the weekends? Are they open weeknights? If you are selling, you’ll want an office that is open – offices that aren’t open can’t give out keys to realtors bringing buyers to your home. Fewer prospective buyers, fewer offers, lower price for your home.
3. Ask your realtors for the addresses of any current listings they may have. Drive by them. Is there a sign up? Does the sign have your prospective realtors cell phone number on it? Is there a waterproof box for flyers and (more importantly) are there flyers in the box?
4. Check the various websites such as NYTimes.com, Trulia.com, yahoorealestate.com, zillow.com. Is his/her listings on those sites?
5. Check your prospective realtor’s website. Is it up to date? Does it have good information on it and look professional? Here you’re trying to figure out how much time/money your prospective realtor reinvests in his/her business.
