Jesse, I'm sure you have found the answers not very helpful and this one won't be either I'm afraid.
Frederic's focus on 'neighborhood' misses the point that your question was about Camden and Gloucester county as a whole but even if it didn't his minimizing the importance of buyer agency indicates a serious lack of knowledge about the reality of the industry. Dual agency, while legal, is not good for the buyer, seller, or the agent. The only entity it may be good for is the agency the dual agent works for. The inability to act as a true advocate is extremely serious in a financial decision the magnitude of a home purchase. This comes into play throughout the transaction - not just at the time of initial price negotiation. The industry movers and shakers (mainly big franchise companies) fear the demise of dual agency because any agent that works for a company that has listings is a potential dual agent. This from the US Department of Justice website might be interesting: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/workshops/rewcom/213172.htm

It is every buyers choice to use a buyer's agent that is an advocate for them or use the agent that listed the home whose number is on the sign. Once they make that choice and walk inside they are pretty much stuck with it.
Paul Howard, Broker
Cherry Hill NJ 08002

Who is the best??? is the one who will listen to your needs, and understands what you are looking for in a home.
The one you feel you can easily talk to and bounce off ideas with and who can understand your needs well enough to walk into a home and be able to see it from your point of views. Good luck and I am pretty sure there are many great agents in the area where you are searching to find your home.

The best real estate agent is the one who you trust, who you believe will work in your best interest and listens to what you have to say. The agent with the highest production and the most awards may not be the best agent for you.

Very tough question to answer. It comes down to how you and the agent connect. The best agent may not be the best for you, your personalities may not match. I can tell you at my office we are #1 in Gloucester County and the #1 Century 21 offic ein New Jersey. Hopefully that helps, happy hunting.

Who is the best is an impossible question. Who will work the hardest for you is the hardest answer. You can choose to handpick one with the same likes as you so you both get along, and I suggest asking them how active they are on previewing houses, which shows they know the market. Internet ability, which is a must in todays world, and some volume of sales on both sides. In your area, it is not the top realtor at each office that will work hard for you, its the realtors with about 3 years into the business. They want the money and the hard work comes with that, which is what you need. Look for an agent with an ABR and an EPRO certification and they will be your winner as they have shown excellence in learning the things it takes in todays world to be a top notch agent. The biggest agents sometimes have too much going on and you won't get the hard work you need. Ask them if they are on a few websites and on activerain.com and see what they have to say. Good luck agent hunting!

Well, Jesse. You seem to have received a variety of responses to this question. Some explaining the importance of having your own representation by "hiring" a buyer's agent - others explaining various parts of the real estate transaction.

I would recommend interviewing some agents in the "area" you're interested in purchasing. Many brokerages have a statewide presence, so they've done business in all parts of New Jersey. Others are localized and not aware of town codes, lawyers, appraisers, inspectors that are experienced in doing business in particular parts of the state.

Southern Jersey has different ways of handling real estate transactions from the rest of the state, so (although some caution against it), I would say if you can find a brokerage or agent you feel comfortable speaking and working with, ask for referrals to that part of the state. Typically, an agent and/or brokerage firm will have done a few transactions in any given part of the state and will be able to let you know who "did their due diligence" as a buyer's agent. Let me know if you'd like some referrals or talk more in depth about the home buying experience!

Christine Markow
ERA Statewide Realty
Office: (908) 874-7797, ext 519
Cell: (908) 444-3106
christine.markow@era.com

I'd look to Marc for a referral, if his representation isn't feasible in your area. The FEE for real estate services is in the price of the house, when the seller puts it on the market. Your HALF, Jesse, can go one of two ways: additional money to the listing agent, meaning broker, so that the seller might have FULL representation (despite YOUR paying a fee in the price of the property- half is designated for the real estate agent of the buyer). Or, you can hire a buyers agent, who will accept the fee offered on the property by the seller, but watch out for YOUR interests throughout the process from a legal standpoint, NOT the sellers (as the "guy on the sign") will- to your detriment. I'd choose to use the funds that I'm paying to get someone to be diligently overseeing my interests, if I'm spending the money either way.

I know what's "supposed" to happen but I also know what "really" happens in the market. I've spent a long time analyzing it.

This is turning into a debate and I don't think that is the purpose of this forum. I think I have presented a well supported answer so I will leave it at that.

Sorry Frederick,

I'm not sure that you have a fundamentally sound understanding of real estate agency. The sellers agent has goals that are antithetical to the buyer. Therefore, a strong listing agent in a given community is the LAST person you want to consult if you are interested in an area and want proper representation as a buyer.

It's not about warm and fuzzy PTA meetings or hanging out together at church. The seller's agent acts for the seller, not the buyer. Their goal is to basically strip the buyer of as much money as possible and sell the house for the highest possible price for terms that are most advantageous to the seller. A buyer's agent's goal is to help the buyer achieve the lowest possible price and the best possible terms from the opposing viewpoint.

If I am a buyer, the seller's agent cannot legally tell me what I need to know - that the seller has been relocated, or already built another home, or is divorcing, or is being foreclosed. However as a buyer's agent, I can get that information for my buyer, directly impacting the amount of his or her offer.

Community knowledge is overrated. There is nothing that the listing agent is going to tell me that I'm not going to be easily able to find out on my own. In fact, the listing agent is going to be in the business of "puffing up" his farm. After all, that's where his listings are so it is in his interest to accentuate the positive and ignore or evade the negative.

Have you ever heard a listing agent who "specializes" in an area reveal that the schools have below-average scores? No. Or that the commute is unreasonably long? No. Or that the power lines or other forms of external obsolescence materially detract from future resale value? No.

Your advice is categorically incorrect, and it's obvious why after cursory analysis. A buyer should STAY AWAY from a strong listing agent in an area of interest, and retain his own representation that will give him the TRUE picture of an area, not the travelogue puffery that will be offered by an agent with a vested financial interest in promoting an area.

I'm sure you are a wonderful appraiser. I am too. But agency is a whole other game.

-Marc

Since someone has taken exception to my answer let me follow it up with some supporting information. I am an appraiser. I come along after the deal has been made. I see who did well and who did not. It is my job to study market activity. The financial institution relies upon my analysis and Opinion of Value to make their loan decision and I have been an appraiser for 27 years. I respect the professional opinions of agents very much however I feel confident in my answer.

I say drive the area and get the names of agents who are well represented among the listings in your area of interest and who have listed the type of properties you desire for a number of reasons.

First they are most likely to be specialists and experts on that particular community. They are also very likely to reside there and will see you at PTA, youth athletics and at church etc where they depend on their connection to the community to get their future listings. A satisfied client means referrals to them and a positive “buzz” in the community about them. They may even know of homes which have not yet been listed but will be soon and you will get the first crack at them.

Secondly if they have the greatest and most appealing number of listings in the area you find desirable it is probable that you may find one of their listings to your liking. If that occurs and you make an offer they will be looking at greater share of the total commission and very likely will be helping the seller find their new home as well increase it further. This means a triple header for them. Yes dual agency is a concern however you are aligning your goals with that of the agent and they know they will be dealing with you in the future and seeing you in the community. They don’t need you poisoning their well of referral business. A localized agent needs community goodwill to prosper.

If you make an offer and another comes from a co-op agent you can imagine how the two offers will be presented and I don’t mean to suggest anything improper simply that your agent knows the seller and their motivations for moving and they know you by now. They will be able to help you structure an offer that will take into account the sellers need for the timing of the sale and other conditions. They can present a much more comprehensive picture of your offer and your wherewithall as opposed to an offer from a coop agent. They know if your offer is accepted they have a potential triple play as I said. They also know you will likely call them when you sell or recommend a member of your community group to call them if they sell.

If you don’t choose one of their listings they are still an expert in that neighborhood and will be able to give you good advice. Again, they will be planting a seed for future business in that neighborhood so it is in their interest to give you premium service.

It is also important for you to drive the neighborhood frequently at different hours and different days so you see the traffic and congestion patterns, experience the sights, smells and noise you may have to live with and possibly observe your future neighbor’s activities. Yes, gas is expensive but this will be a big investment and more importantly your home for many years. You don’t want any surprises.

A superstar agent from another locale who is a generalist may “sell you” quickly but you won’t get the geographical competency and the service of that local agent.

As an appraiser when I deal with agents who are specialists in a particular locale and have many listings there I find a totally different level of concern. They meet me at the property and make sure I have everything I need. When I leave the property they make sure I have no questions and try to head off any problems ahead of time. There is a completely different level of service.

Frederick R. Giebel, Jr.
NJ Certified General Real Estate Appraiser
Preferred Appraisers, Inc.
856-232-0971
856-227-0693 FAX
Website: houseval.net

I have no idea. I guess it would depend on your criteria.

You might try going to activerain.com, and checking out your area- there are numerous agents on that site that offer "blogs", offering a glimpse not only into their philosophies, but their personalities, as well. Just click your area.

Actually, I would specifically NOT pick the agent with the most sign exposure in the area in which you have interest. Number one, a very strong listing agent is not going to have time for you. You will usually be relegated to an assisting agent or "team member". Number two, and more importantly, you have more chance at falling into a dual agency. Google "dual agency" to learn more about why this is a terrible situation for you. Number three, the Internet should allow you to do much more efficient research in selecting an agent than driving around.

-Marc

Drive around the area you are interested in and make note of the agent's names on the signs of the type of homes you might be interested in. They will have the best contacts in that area and likely have the greatest inventory in that specific area and can advise you most effectively. Call a couple of them and pick their brains and see which one gives you the most confidence.

If you deal with an agent with a strong presence in the area of interest it is very probable that you will find one of their listings to be attractive to you, in which case you will be dealing with an agent who has direct contact with the seller and the greatest interest as well as the most to gain from a successful transaction.

Although the individual brokerages have advantages that they bring to the table it is the experience, talents and resourcefulness of the individual agent you choose that will yield the greatest results for you.

Frederick R. Giebel, Jr.
NJ Certified General Real Estate Appraiser
Preferred Appraisers, Inc.
856-232-0971
856-227-0693 FAX
Website: houseval.net

HI Jesse,

It really depends on what your definition of "best" is. The best advice I can give you is that the best Real Estate Agent is one that you talk to and get that "gut" feeling about and just click with. I know that doesn't give you a definate name, but hopefully it helps!

Take care!
Angela "Angie" Allchin
Century 21 Rauh & Johns
Sewell, NJ
856-582-0366 x 172

Jesse,

I'd be happy to assist you. My office is in Cherry Hill. I'm a longtime South Jersey resident. Feel free to call me and we can discuss your real estate goals.

Best Regards,

Jeremy S. Hill, Realtor
Keller Williams Realty http://www.southnewjerseyhomes.com
1814 Route 70 East
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Office: 856.685.1651
Fax: 856.321.1414
Direct: 609.876.5817
"Your Interest 1st Always!"

Uh.................... Me.

: )

Nah just kidding, I do not work in your area.

I would ask some people in your area, referrals are usually the best way to go. If you are not form that area, ask in local diner.. You laugh? Well.. people talk.. people talk in DIners.. ask the owner if they know a good local Realtor.

Hi Jesse,

You will get many responses offering you referrals, but keep in mind that agents get nice money for doing this. Most agents will simply look someone up online the same way that you can do. Then make a phone call or two to make sure the selected agent is not utterly incompetent. Then collect a 25% or more referral fee if you make a purchase.

This is rarely disclosed. I think you should do your own homework, interview 3 agents and make your own selection.

A fully paid agent is probably going to work a little harder for you than someone who is referred and is taking a 25% or more pay cut right from the start.

-Marc

Frankly, the best realtor is soneone who will work hard for you, does their research into what is listed, listens to your wish list and shares the benefit of their experience andperspective, and looks out for you as a true buyers' agent. It doesn't have to be the "top" agent, but should be someone you trust is working for you! If you would like me to refer you to an experienced agent in your area, email me your contact information and I would be happy to set you up with someone who will work hard and has the knowledge to help you!