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Richie Alan Naggar, agent & author  (people first...then business Ran Right Realty )

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Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

When, the world of the internet is not a part of the decision-making process, it seems that some "find" their ideal real estate match through referrals of a friend, co-worker or relative.  There are those who meet agents/brokers through face-to-face introductions at open house events or some other social occasion.  

Feb 07, 2020 12:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I would say word of mouth number one. Then vibrational alignment. Who they feel they can trust or connect with. It happens fast. Or not at all.

Feb 07, 2020 12:20 PM
Ambassador
3,125,819
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Referrals come from trusted relationships - that is a great place to start Richie!

Feb 07, 2020 01:52 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

How do they choose Richie? What is the criterea?

The ones that are the most knowledgeable are not always blowing their horns 24/7.

Feb 07, 2020 01:13 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

I  always wondered why sellers called the agent that they did. I suppose eveyone knows at least one agent.

Feb 07, 2020 12:43 PM
Ambassador
2,684,109
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

SOI

Feb 08, 2020 02:59 AM
Ambassador
5,230,079
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Family, friends, co-workers and then online to check out their reputation there.

SOME (but, I believe few) will go online first because they don't want others to know they're searching. Online reviews are important to these people.

Feb 07, 2020 03:11 PM
Ambassador
2,061,803
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Consumers today are relegated to using online reviews and asking friends and family members for recommendations.

Just because cousin Vinny liked his agent, doesn't mean they'll be a good fit for you, and online testimonials can be rigged.

Unfortunately, you won't know if you have chosen a good agent, until you're in the thick of it and it's too late.

Feb 07, 2020 03:02 PM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

another broker and I were just discussing you can't see if a licensee has been sanctioned on line anymore.  

But word of mouth is the best way to find a good agent.

Feb 07, 2020 02:16 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Richie,

I agree with word of mouth, and I get asked every so often by friends.  A

Feb 07, 2020 01:01 PM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

1. they may be looking for an agent with a specialization. 

2. my experience - it boils down to people telling me - I trust you and I like you. 

Feb 08, 2020 08:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Recommendations, word of mouth and meeting the person are the best.  Interviews help too.

Feb 07, 2020 09:31 PM
Rainmaker
660,906
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Richie, thanks for asking the question. I think the answer is referrals from a trusted friend, but I will also test it and will make it a point to ask a statistical sample at least once a year where they found their agent.

Feb 07, 2020 09:28 PM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Here they have many options...referrals, word of mouth, responding to advertising, attend open house or stop in at a brick and mortar brokerage to chat with the agent on duty. Most people don't put a lot of stock in online reviews and ratings but seem to want a more personal touch when deciding who to work with.

Feb 07, 2020 07:14 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I personally believe that a personal referral is the best reference.  This creates accountability and also give a first hand account of the agents ability and communication skills.

Feb 07, 2020 03:51 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Word of mouth, see an ad, stop in the nearest real estate office, etc.

Feb 07, 2020 03:18 PM
Rainer
231,948
Eva B. Liland Century 21 Doug Anderson
Century 21 Doug Anderson - Lancaster, CA
Glad to be of Service 661-714-1643

For me, it helps to have a few listings, preferable more. Right now in my area, there is a lack of Active listings. I get emails all the time from Zillow, Trulia, Realtor etc. Sometimes I connect and sometimes they end up being my client but it's a toss-up. But I do care about my buyers and their purchase. Being friendly with the park manager also helps, i.e. referalls.

Feb 07, 2020 02:52 PM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

I am with Michael Jacobs 

Feb 08, 2020 01:46 PM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

Word of mouth is the best way as you then have someone to yell at when it doesn't work out. It's pretty much hit or miss on if you have a good agent or not. It's the same when I'm trying to get an agent to work with me. They always ask if I can close a deal and while I give them different answers to that, it's TRUST that means everything

Feb 08, 2020 06:18 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

1. A referral from a trusted source. Trusted sources are the origin if fake news.

2. A selection of an agent whose message resonates

3. The offer of greatest generosity

4. The best billboard, biggest car, big spender

5. The one who CAN NOT hear the word 'NO."

Listed by diminishing priority.

Feb 08, 2020 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

they call because of visiblity and branding.... they interview to satisfy their concerns and to make sure they mesh with the agent....

Feb 08, 2020 05:54 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Most folks have no clue, more often it is a personality contest.

Feb 08, 2020 04:13 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Award winning local agents may be a good place to start. 

Platinum Award winners at RE/MAX have proven abilities.

Feb 08, 2020 10:42 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Largely from referral, in my experience.

Feb 08, 2020 08:17 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I usually get referrals from my sphere, when my clients have shared their experience.

Feb 08, 2020 06:17 AM
Rainer
337,854
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

The biggest drivers in my market are word of mouth and open houses.  I definitely attract a "type" - those that tend to either be very nervous about the process (buying here is nothing like buying anywhere else in the country) or clients that are looking for my "Professor" type of expertise. I am ok with that.

Mar 09, 2020 12:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,817
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Statistically, most ask for a referral.

Feb 08, 2020 05:18 PM