You're on the right track. I've had to do many moves long distance and sometimes it's a pain finding the right agent. If you have a good rapport with them on the phone, if they're attentive to your emails and phone calls etc. Look on realtor.com, find a specific house you'd be interested, call the listing agent and start a dialog. If you click with them, and like the way they respond, give them your requirements for a home and see what they come up with. From far away, communication has to be top notch or you're going to be left disappointed.

Mary, do a computer search for the area you are moving to and see what agents seem to be doing the most internet advertising with their own personal websites (Not office websites). This is where its at. With 80-90% of homebuyers starting their search on the internet, agents that are using it are at the cutting edge. You can start your conversations with them. Its alot safer than picking out a house you would be interested in. It could be the agents only listing and they could lack the experience that a person relocating to another area needs.

I don't see why an agent would need to have their own personal website as long as their office has a good one. I've NEVER seen an agent's website that is "cutting edge." I like to look at one of the local agency's sites because the listings seem more current and the search function is dramatically superior to what is available on realtor.com. So in that sense, the office website is cutting edge.

When we relocated I figured out the big offices for higher-end residential real estate by looking at realtor.com. Then I went to the agency websites and read the agent bios. I chose a woman who appeared close in age to me who listed a country club membership and volunter work at local schools and had one or two current listings. I figured she knew the commmunity and schools fairly well and was an active realtor, but not so successful that she wouldn't have time for me. But the main reason I chose her was because she had had a fairly high-powered corporate job and I figured she would have a professional attitude. She turned out to be extremely professional and very helpful to us.

I've NEVER seen an agent's website that is "cutting edge."

Me either. An agents personal website usually involves a sign-up so they get you on their list. And, many (most) just plop you into the local mls - which you can access in some form youself without going through their personal site - or their agency listing.

This forum used to have an Ohio based realtor that posted all the time. I haven't seen her in quite some time though... very nice lady that knew what was what. Anyone know what city she was based in or how to contact her?

Solie and Xamsx

The reason better agents have their own personal websites is because they are developing their own business, not waiting for the business to come thru their office. Every full time agent that I know who is a top producer has their own website, its highly searchable and a lot of money is spent on making sure the site is found among company websites. As an agent, why do I want to be just another link on my offices website? I get 90% of my business from the web. Alot of the people that call me think I own the company because my site competes with the large companies in my area. Because of the high visability of my site, my sellers homes get alot of exposure which means they get a lot of showings and hopefully a quicker sale for a higher price. By the way, there is no sign up for my site. Anyone can look and contact me if they choose, they are not "required" to do so by signing in to get information.

Xamsx was it Pashan you were referring to? I miss her posts as I always thought they were very insightful. I've linked her profile.

Solie and Xamsx I did not read Linda's as the websites for the realtors were cutting edge, I took it as the realtors were more cutting edge in that they used technology to their advantage vs. finding somebody just from the office website since they used all the tools available to them. Having recently been in the position to purchase from an area further away I really found having a realtor savy in those things really helped.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pashan's profile

Yes, Lyfia, it was Pasha! Maybe marys1000 could contact her for a reference or at least a lead.

"Solie and Xamsx I did not read Linda's as the websites for the realtors were cutting edge, I took it as the realtors were more cutting edge in that they used technology to their advantage vs. finding somebody just from the office website since they used all the tools available to them. Having recently been in the position to purchase from an area further away I really found having a realtor savy in those things really helped."

Ah...that makes more sense, doesn't it? But I do think that whether or not an agent has their own site may be a regional thing. I wouldn't base my decision *only* on that. But yeah, when you are relocating it is critical to have an agent who can reference the internet listings you are looking at and checks their e-mail everyday.

Emailed Pasha, no response.
Emailed a Buyer Broker website - a very very hard sell on buyer broker website and got a pretty immediate response with short mls search of a few things I said I was looking for in their "registration". Then got a follow up of a little survey asking was i happy with the short response and some other questions.
Not sure what to think.
Meanwhile a person who works here recommended her Aunt in Dayton's REA. She has sent me some searches (seen it all on my own) and its like she's my REA even though I haven't met, talked to her or signed with her. I dont know when her search was done but it missed a property that they Broker's did not and that I had just found, it had just hit the market, and its the only one that seems remotely interesting IAW what I'm looking for.
Its starting to feel sticky.
I've tried reading on seller buyer agent, dual agent and its so confusing - sometimes I'm not sure the websites want you to understand. The buyer broker thing does seem clear - they work for you. But....is all else equal?