Well, there could be a lot of ways, but one of the easiest would be to travel to some open houses on the weekends and chat with some of the realtors holding open homes in your area. After a good conversation you could usually tell who has a pulse on your local market. After doing that set up an appointment and interview the agent for the job. One agent that I know works and lives the San Bruno market is Dave Tapper 415-370-7195. He's been a top agent in San Bruno for many years. Call or google him and I think you might be impressed by his volume of San Bruno transactions.

Good Luck,

Mac

Hi Mharnett,

Three ways I might go about doing it. Is find an inactive realtor or someone who has access to the agent side of MLS. They can run a report on a specific last name or DRE Number.

Secondly, call a few locally respected brokers and ask the manager for their top three producers in the area.

Lastly, you can try to call the San Mateo Association of Realtors (SAMCAR)

Now, I would love you try to sell myself to you in this area. But mostly everyone knows that the biggest top producer in San Bruno is David Tapper. His website is http://www.DavidTapper.com and I believe his phone number is (415) 370-7195.

All the best,

Brendan Aiello
Cashin Company Realtors
DRE#: 01860602
(650) 759-2067

Mharnett:

Question #1: How do I find a list of the top agents in my town (San Bruno, ca) , listed by volume of local transactions ($ and unit volume)?
Answer #1: Two quick options:

Option #1: Find someone who uses an MLS based data service like TrendGraphix.com. They can give you a quick list of the top Realtors in your area and can sort the data many ways for you.

PROBLEM: the date will not be helpful to you AT ALL.

Want the names of the Realtors selling the highest number of listings in your area? You'll be VERY disappointed: they're REO listing agents and they do the following to market their listings:

(1) No extensive property prep
(2) No extensive Internet marketing
(3) No staging
(4) No virtual tours
(5) No dedicated website
(6) Often, no pictures
(7) No brochures/print media
(8) No open houses
(9) List prices WAY under market value
(10) No transaction support
(11) No customer support
(12) Most times won’t even answer their phones
(13) Etc.

Based on my experience, REO listing agents make their money on volume, not from getting the most for their sellers.

Option #2: http://www.homegain.com

Use the AgentEvaluator program to see which realtors have sold the most in your area. It’s quick and simple. And the agent you chose will pay a referral fee to HomeGain.com of between 22-30% for the privilege of being selected by you.

Now the more complicated option:

Option #3:

Top-notch Realtors separate themselves from the rest of the pack by their coaching, knowledge in helping you effectively prepare your home, extensive online marketing and transaction support. Want to know how effective a Realtor really is? Google them. Put their name in parenthesis (eg. “Carl Medford”) and hit enter. Top notch Realtors should have MANY thousands of hits. Can’t find someone online? Move on.

Look at their listings, virtual tours, Trulia.com and Realtor.com presentations, dedicated websites, quality and quantity of pictures and so on. Email them to get written testimonials from clients – the more the better. Ask for references. Pick 5 - interview them. Pick the one that is the best fit for you.

********************************

Question #2: I'd also like to see stats on time on market for their properties and difference between asking and closing prices.

Answer #2: Once again, the data won’t be very helpful to you.

(1) List Price/Selling Price Ratio:

There's a common misconception we frequently hear. List price is not determined Realtors – it's set by sellers. A Realtor’s job is to provide data and recommendations, then list at the price the seller sets. Sellers can and do set the price anywhere they want to. If the seller sets a realistic price from the beginning, we usually get over asking price. If the seller sets the list price too high, then offers and selling price will be lower. To further complicate this, the selling price isn't set by the Realtor either – it’s set by the buyer.

Unfortunately, although people would love to see a specific ratio number, it’s not real without the facts behind it.

(2) Days On Market Ratio:

You can have the absolute best marketing and Realtor available, but if you're overpriced, you are going nowhere. Who takes the hit for you overpricing your home? The Realtor. Their DOM (Days On Market) ratios get creamed. And it’s not their fault. It’s … the seller’s fault.

The ratios depend on a number of criteria:
* How motivated and realistic the seller is
* Whether or not it’s an overpriced
* Type of property:
* Single family home that fits the neighborhood - will usually sell quickly
* Condo with serious FHA requirements - may not sell at all
* Specialty property – non-conforming to the neighborhood, high-end luxury homes - could take a LONG time

Hiring a good Realtor will maximize your selling potential, but WILL NOT guarantee a price. A truly great Realtor, in order to facilitate the highest possible price, will coach you in the following three ways:

(1) PREPARATION: ensuring your property is prepared to maximize its’ showing potential (some Realtors also provide critical staging at no cost – we do, in fact, we own our own staging company http://www.thenextstages.com) so we provide staging free of charge to our sellers,

(2) ACCESS: making sure buyers can get into your home when it's convenient for THEM,

(3) PRICE: 80% of successful marketing is price. It's the largest factor over which the seller has total control – and it is the area where MOST sellers make the largest mistakes.

When you select the agent best for you - TRUST THEM. Take their advice. And their stats will be right were you want them to be. SOLD.

In my opinion I would go to the agent who is working in your area deligently, he
knows the market in your neighborhood. At least you interview 3 agents in that
area and get one that you feel comfortable with. Get a testimonial letter from the
previous customers.

Dear Mr. Harnett,
Ask for the agents references of their last five sales, make sure the seller's have been satisfied with the end results. I have been listing and selling homes for over 20 years and I can tell you a lot of my business success is because of the team of associates I have assembled that help me work effeciently. I have great lender, great stagers, great handymen and great contractors. When selling your home, especially in today's market, you need to make that property shine, just like a first date. Buyers today have a lot to pick from, make your home stand out, let it be the best. Right now in that we are approaching the holidays, and if you plan on selling your home thru this time, have your home decorated for the holidays. Make it stand out. If you are not workng with anyone, give me a call, I can come out and make some suggestions of how to get your home ready to sell and put together a list price that will help you achieve your goal of selling.

Happy Halloween & good luck to you.
Denise Laugesen
650-465-5742

Cashin Company
#1 Producing Agent
Denise Laugesen
Direct Line: 650-403-6225
Email: deniselaugesen@comcast.net
Web: http://www.deniselaugesenteam.com

If you were an agent this wouldd be easy because you could check on the MLS but since your not, the only way I can think of to do this is to call all the local offices in your area and ask to speak to the top agent. Then I would just have them print out what they have listed and sold this year for you and then evaluate all the agents from each office to make your choice.

John & Sarena Villaescusa
Cell- 562-818-2671
Email- Johnv@kw.com
Website- http://www.VGroupHomes.com

Some of the real estate companies publish awards to their top realtors. You might want to check out the company websites to see if it is listed there. As far as detailed reports, you generally have to ask an agent for that. The agent you might hire.

Many sellers want this info and its great but I want to express that the reason why they sell is a solid marketing campaign but also because the home is priced right. If you see a high sales to asking price range then you should listen to what the agent suggests for price.

A lot of times a homeowner will list at what they want and wonder why it is not selling with this top agent.



Sean Dawes