Good Afternoon Notyetlooking,

Choosing an agent is the most important financial decision you will make. It is important to choose an agent who is dedicated to you and is available 24/7. Please review my profile here on Trulia to learn more about me. To sum things up quickly, I work with Adriane Stewart who is not only my partner but she is also my Mother. She has been in the business for 12 years and we have been partners since 2005. We are extremely familiar with Somerset and Union County towns. I currently live in Springfield and I am very knowledgeable about the Westfield/SP/F area. So many agents will get in touch with you and not provide you with the full service you deserve. As your agent, you will be getting all that Weichert has to offer and two successful agents at your service! I am looking forward to hearing from you and getting more details about your home search..

Kacey Stewart-Bedi
The Results You Deserve
Weichert Realtors
908-392-1510
Kstewart@weichert.com

Notyetlooking,

I highly recommend using Jeannie Feenick. I see she has replied to your question already:) She is fast and always give a great advise.

We are in the process of buying our first house and she has been so much help to us! She explains the process, encourages, advises and so much more. She is the best thing that happens to us.

When just started looking for a house back in March we have found a few listings on Trulia and contacted a few agents. We saw only one house with Jeannie on the first day and 7-8 houses with the other agent. Another weekend we went to some open house and met one more agent. And trust me - only by showing us only one house, she won our respect! She has spent many weekends with us (showing 7-10 houses over the weekend)....

Anyway, the best way to find an agent is meeting her/him face to face and see a few houses!

Yes, yes, again I want to amplify the requirement that your agent be full time - this is no market for dabblers, and the important task of selling/buying your home is too important to entrust to anyone other than an agent that is totally engaged and enthusiastically embracing her business and your mission. The agent you choose really does make a difference - in your search, your negotiations, and your success!

Best,
Jeannie Feenick
"Unwavering Commitment to Service"
Search the MLS at http://www.feenick.com

Another point I'd like to add to my previous answer -- ask if the Agent is truly "full-time". Many
Agents are "part-time" (they have another full-time job!), or others are "semi-retired".
This is a very dynamic market and you want someone who is monitoring activity
on a daily basis -- i.e., new inventory coming onto the market, price reductions, etc.
-- not someone who is "dabbling".

Marilyn Holda-Fleck
Prudential New Jersey Properties
mholdafleck@comcast.net
Cell: 908-456-0779

Everyone has great answers. Another very valuable way to find someone is simply asking your neighbors, local friends and family. They can tell you first hand about their experience. Good Luck!

Hi Notyetlooking, Jeannie Feenick back again - want to pick up on a point raised by Marilyn that I agree with completely - whether you are a seller or buyer - TEST the responsiveness of prospective agent(s). As a seller, you can be sure that no prospective buyer or agent representing them will be handled with more urgency than you are. If your calls/emails are not answered immediately or close to it, reconsider. Working with a brokerage office and/or agent that are not available and/or difficult to connect with puts you and your property at a real disadvantage. It is critical that you do your part and make your home as attractive and accessible as possible. But the brokerage and agent must also do theirs. Ask about working hours and habits. In order to be sold, a home must be able to be seen. If the process is cumbersome, agents/buyers just move on.

The point is just as relevent if you are a buyer - choose your agent with care and then commit to working with them. If you receive anything short of 100% dedication in return, then move on. The best inventory is moving quickly, you need the best working on your behalf.

Good luck and keep those questions coming...

Best,
Jeannie Feenick
"Unwavering Commitment to Service"
Search the MLS at http://www.feenick.com

Notyetlooking,

I believe that there are different criteria in selecting an Agent based upon whether you are 'Buying' or 'Selling'. Since your signature says 'Home Seller', I'll assume that you plan to sell a home in Scotch Plains, so I'll focus on selecting an Agent to List your property. First, in this current market, you need someone with real Marketing background and experience. Some Agents merely "list" your home and stop there -- they don't understand that your home is now a "product" that must be "priced", "promoted", and "positioned". Ask to see a detailed Marketing Plan with a time-line -- what are they going to do and when.

Next, evaluate how devoted the Agent will be to taking care of your needs -- some homeowners make the mistake of thinking that going with the "top gun in town" will get them better results -- rather that "top agent" may be juggling more than a dozen Listings and delegating much of the work to Assistants. Rather, an Agent with just a few current Listings will be able to provide you with more personal service, will work with you directly (not via an assistant), and will be motivated to get your home sold. A good Agent will be a good communicator -- he/she will be in frequent touch regarding Showings, Feedback, market activity (new competition) -- whether via phone, in person, email, text messages, etc. -- if an Agent is "too busy" to communicate with you frequently, perhaps they're not the right Agent for you.

I have a full "check-list" of what to look for in an Agent and I'd be happy to email it to you.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you -- I know the Scotch Plains/Fanwood/Westfield/Cranford areas very well, having lived in the area for 25 years.

Marilyn Holda-Fleck
Prudential New Jersey Properties
mholdafleck@comcast.net
Cell: 908-456-0779

Hi Notyetlooking, you are off to a great start by posting your question right here on Truila. 95% of the buyers that I am working with now found me right here! This is a such great resource for gathering info on areas, topics, general questions - whether questions you have yourself posted, or those of interest posted by others, you will learn much and also gain insight into the expertise, style and skill set of the responders. If you like what you read, you have the option to connect to agents here.

As other posters have suggested, consider the way you like to work and align yourself with an agent whose work style and ethic is in sync with your own. Because you are here on Trulia, I assume you value and use online resources - my advice to you is to use an agent that is not just comfortable with - but embraces - the power of the internet. Visit the agents profile here on Trulia, and their own individual website - if they don't have one, it's a clue....

I'm throwing my hat in the ring to be considered - I'd be honored to assist you and am confident that I can add value. Take a look at my recent blog post "Look who found Jeanne Feenick on Trulia":
http://www.trulia.com/blog/jeanne_feenick_-_new_jersey/2009/…

Best,
Jeannie Feenick
"Unwavering Commitment to Service"
Search the MLS at http://www.feenick.com

When you are ready to begin your search we can refer you to several agents throughout many different brands around the Westfield area to guide you. http://www.JustJerseyRealEstate.com provides you a transaction assistant to work with you as well as finds the right agent for your needs. Our referral network is made up of full-time residential experts in all brands that have been recommended by their broker and maintain top agent status. Call, email, or fill out our "find an agent" form on our website when you are ready. Best of luck to you.

Hello there,

I would suggest speaking with several agents to see who is the most responsive, the most knowledgeable and....bottom-line....who you feel most comfortable with. Some agents are more tech savvy than others. Some are not very tech-savvy, but have years and years of experience which can also be valuable, obviously. During the course of a real estate transaction, whether selling or buying, you will spend a great deal of time with your agent and in communication with them. Make certain it is someone you feel you can trust. To that end...I happen to live in Scotch Plains myself and list and sell a lot of homes in the area. I invite you to take a look at my website, and if you would like to further discuss your search, please feel free to contact me.

Warm regards,

Erik Farber
Weichert Realtors
emfarber@gmail.com
Cell: (973) 420-1156