Online reviews of real estate agents, doctors, and books are an excellent idea. Unfortunately, they are not very helpful. Most if not all real estate agents have five-star ratings. Often the questions asked on the surveys don’t hit on anything that matters. Often it is only satisfied customers who are offered a survey.
Sure the doctor was on time and he gets a 5 for that but he is also a bully and his “charts” contain inaccurate information. That kind of information is valuable to people who are looking for a doctor. Sure being on time is important too but doctors can do things or not do things that cause a lot more harm than keeping patients waiting.
I have worked with hundreds of real estate clients over the years and I can tell you that no two clients are the same and neither are any two properties. First-time home buyers who have only had experience with one agent may not even notice that their agent did not do a good job. They don’t understand that for agents being on time and answering the phone is a small part of what is important.
A better way to vet an agent is to ask friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members for recommendations, especially those who have recently worked with a real estate agent.
