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Vail Daily column: How to choose among Realtor friends

Joan Harned
Ask a Realtor
Joan Harned

Dear Joan,

I have several friends that are Realtors and they​ ​​all​ work for different companies. As a matter of fact, a couple of them have worked for two or three different companies during the past few years. I have not cared about this until now, when I am getting ready to sell my property and need to choose one of them to list my ​home​. My two dilemmas are, should I choose by the company they are with or the person​,​ and when I choose, how do I tell the others I did not choose them?



Dear Friend Dilemma,

The very worst thing you can do is pick one without ever talking to the others and not giving each of them a chance, and having them drive by and see a real estate sign in your yard.

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This is not an uncommon problem in a small valley where so many people have real estate licenses. Most every homeowner knows multiple Realtors. In answer to your first question, you choose by the person. If you know one friend to stand out from the others in integrity, work ethic and people skills, then that is the one. A Realtor might be with the largest, or most flashy company in the valley, but if they do not have an honest reputation, ​would rather play than take care of their business and are selfish to the point of annoying others, you will not get your home sold in a timely fashion for the highest possible price. You already know a lot of their qualities just because you have spent time with all of them. If one does not stand out, head and shoulders above the others, then tell them all you are interviewing for one of them to sell your home and ask them to please contact you to make an appointment to give you their listing presentation. If any of them don’t call to set an appointment, then that could be a clue. Hopefully, they all will call and you will have a chance to hear all of their marketing plans and experience their negotiating skills. I doubt it will be a hard decision in the end.



Now, the more difficult part is letting one or more of your friends know you have not chosen them to represent you. They may very well know they did not do a great presentation or they may realize they may not be a good fit for you or your property. It is my opinion, after 29 years of seeing all sides of this, that they will respect you for talking to them and giving them an opportunity show you their marketing and sales abilities. Even though they may be greatly disappointed, they will know that you attempted to be fair and most of all that you are actually listing your property so that they have a chance to bring a buyer and still make half of the commission. The very worst thing you can do is pick one without ever talking to the others and not giving each of them a chance, and having them drive by and see a real estate sign in your yard, or see it on the MLS “Hot Sheet,” with no warning. That is a difficult blow to friendships. Good luck!

Joan Harned is an owner and broker for Keller Williams Mountain Properties and heads up Team Black Bear, her own real estate team. Harned has been selling real estate in Eagle County for 27 years, is a past chairman of the Vail Board of Realtors, past Realtor of the Year, past director on the Great Outdoors Colorado Board and a member of the Luxury and Land Institutes. Contact Harned with your real estate questions at Joan@TeamBlackBear.com, 970-337-7777 or http://www.SkiAndTeeHomes.com.


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