Real Estate Agents

Choosing The Right One For You.

Every home buyer is different. Some have credit issues. Some are
buying from out of state. Some need help selling their current home
in addition to buying a new one. Just as buyers have different needs,
real estate agents have different skills and specialties.

Here's How to Find the Right One

1. Ask friends and family for agent referrals. Nobody knows you as well as your friends and family do. So they're often in the best position to recommend an agent who is well-suited for your needs. You can also trust a referral from friends or family more than one that comes from a stranger


2. Talk to multiple agents. I once saw a statistic that 84% of home buyers choose the first real estate agent they contact. This means one of two things. Either most people are choosing wisely the first time, or they're just rushing into things without shopping around. Probably a little of both.
You don't have to exhaust yourself interviewing agent after agent, but at least talk with two or three to see who you're most comfortable with (which leads to the next point).


3. Consider the vibe factor. Professional expertise is an important criterion when choosing a real estate agent. But interpersonal skills are equally important. After all, you'll be working with this person anywhere from 2 to 12 months, so it helps to get along with them. We all have unique personalities, and that's the way it should be. But when working with someone professionally, if helps if their personality "meshes" well with your own.


4. Ask how they hunt. When deciding on a real estate agent, ask how they search for homes. Some agents have their own preferred listings that they favor. But you want what's best for you, not what's best for your agent. You're paying them, right? So make sure the agent is willing to search high and low to find the best home for you. That includes using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well as their own personal network.


5. Read paperwork carefully. This advice is heavily used for a reason. It's critical that you examine all documents during the home buying process, and that includes your agent agreement. At some point during the relationship, your agent will probably ask you to sign an agent agreement. Basically, it just means that if the agent shows you a particular property, your purchase of the property should be credited to that agent. In most cases it's a simple, standard document, just be sure to read it carefully and ask questions

More Educational Real Estate Posts

Pertinent Information
For The Buying & Selling Process
When buying or selling your home, we can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the Northern Arizona Real Estate marketplace. The price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in receiving the best deal quickly and with minimum hassle.
What To Look For
In A Potential Home
Buying a house can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. Here are some key questions to ask yourself and sellers before plopping down a down payment. Following is a list of general questions you should always ask when considering making a real estate purchase.

TESTIMONIAL

Jean Bonderud – My go to person.

“Jean has been my “go to” person for all my real estate needs since 2013. She has helped with personal and rental acquisitions and with residential sales. She has served as leasing agent for my small rental business and has helped me with all kinds of crazy real estate questions. She has even, at my request, shown up at the courthouse steps for a foreclosure auction! Jean is knowledgeable, dedicated, reliable, empathetic, and truly cares for her clients. –Tim Whiteside”

– Nicole and Levi Jones

Michelle was the absolute best real estate agent we could have asked for when selling our Flagstaff home. She was dedicated and there for us every step of the way. Selling a house can be very stressful. Michelle always put our minds at ease answering our questions, presenting us with the best offers, and supporting us throughout the process. Her experience, knowledge, and ability to stay positive throughout the home sale was mpressive. Our family would highly recommend Michelle for your all real estate needs

– Toby Drake

I came to Linton Real Estate and Michelle to help purchase a property to use for my daughters going to school at NAU. Michelle grew up in Flagstaff and that really lent itself to her vast knowledge of the area and she was quickly able to show us multiple properties based on our needs. She stuck with us the whole time and helped us find the perfect place in just a matter of a few weeks! Fast forward three years and our daughters are now ready to complete school so of course we turned to Michelle to help us sell the property. Again, she went above and beyond, obtaining multiple offers, giving her suggestions and thoughts on each one but never being pushy or wanting us to just close the deal. After the sale, with us being from out of town, she even helped organize a garage sale, and helped us donate the last of the personal items to a worthwhile cause…who does that!?! I would highly recommend Linton Real Estate for anyone coming to the area….I would even go so far as to say I would probably let Michelle pick out the next property for me, she is that good!

– Dina B.

Bruce is on top of it! He was very responsive to all issues that arose and informed me immediately any time there was info I needed to know about. He thoroughly reasearched an issue that arose with the lender and helped me resolve it. He even assisted with something after the property closed when he didn't have to. I recommend Bruce without reservation.

– Jessica R.

Jean was not just our real estate agent but someone that I felt comfortable with and knew that I could rely on for her honesty and expertise. She genuinely cared about us and what we wanted in a new home. Buying a home for the first time can be quite scary but Jean was there for us every step of the way to explain the process and answer all of our questions. I feel very fortunate that we had Jean by our side, and all of the time she spent with us in finding the perfect home. Thank you Jean! :)

– Dina B.

Bruce is on top of it! He was very responsive to all issues that arose and informed me immediately any time there was info I needed to know about. He thoroughly reasearched an issue that arose with the lender and helped me resolve it. He even assisted with something after the property closed when he didn't have to. I recommend Bruce without reservation.

– John D.

I used Linton Real Estate. Wow, the real estate experience and knowledge of Flagstaff and surrounding city's was a HUGE help. The agent was always available and always knew the answers to all my questions. The process could not have gone smoother even though I was living in Phoenix. I would recommend them to anyone.

– Flagstaff Arizona

Liz has the unique skills to create and execute an event for a few or thousands coordinating staff, food and always exceeding the customer's expectations. I have had the pleasure of attending several events and visiting many of the facilities that Liz directed. Liz continues to expand her horizons and enhance her kindred spirit.

– J Carnes

Michelle helped my wife & I buy our home back in 2012, and since then, we've purchased an investment property through Michelle. The greatest compliment I can pay Michelle is her insight in to the market in Flagstaff & her ability to match the right property with the right client: in both cases where my wife and I bought through Michelle, she brought property to our attention that we wouldn't have discovered on our own. Michelle's knowledge of the local market & her ability to network within it so as to know where the best opportunities lie have led to unexpectedly good results for us!

– Mike M.

We bought our house in November, 2014. Michelle Linton was our agent and we can't say enough good things about her. We were living in another state at the time, so communication and responsiveness were very important. Michelle exceeded our expectations on both. She knew the right people to contact for inspections and was on top of each one as it went through the process. As in every transaction, there were some rough spots along the way. In each instance we felt we received good, clear objective advice from Michelle and her broker. It was very evident that they looking out for our best interests. We give her and the firm the highest possible recommendation.

– Flagstaff Arizona

Liz was always willing to listen; she was exceptionally direct with feedback, while also allowing for creativity and strengths to be fostered among her employees. Furthermore, she was great at delegation and crisis management.

– Kara K.

We have been working with Susan, for 28 years. She is the most honest person I have ever met. Her integrity, knowledge and expertise can not be topped. She has become one of our dearest, most trusted friends. Many of our friends use her as their agent. I remember soon after we met, one of our friends who was purchasing a property thru her commented, "Susan is so smart, she should be a lawyer". We know we are in good hands with Susan.

– John D.

I used Linton Real Estate. Wow, the real estate experience and knowledge of Flagstaff and surrounding city's was a HUGE help. The agent was always available and always knew the answers to all my questions. The process could not have gone smoother even though I was living in Phoenix. I would recommend them to anyone.

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