Real Estate Agent Finders & Directory Tips
Since I manage and write for my own real estate website, LifeInBonitaSprings.com I pay fairly close attention to the search results in Google for some specific terms. Periodically, I see a website pop up in the paid results for real estate related terms related to Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers or Naples. Today one of the sites was a “help you find an agent” website which in my opinion is a “how to scrape a buck” website.
Here’s how it works: You’re a real estate consumer and you decide to Google something similar to, Bonita Springs buyer agent or Bonita Springs listing agent. At the top of the search engine results page are paid results. When you click on the link denoted as an “ad” it will take you to a website with a forced registration so that they can “help” you find a real estate agent or Realtor in the area in which you are searching for a home or condo to buy or sell.
In theory, there is nothing wrong with a referral for a home sale or a purchase. They are actually important and helpful, if done correctly. I have past customers and clients ask me for help all of the time; for themselves, their children or their parents when they are experiencing trouble or having a hard time hiring just the right real estate agent.
The difference between a real estate agent that who you know helping you find a suitable agent and a directory helping is that often times the directory is just selling the lead or giving the lead to an agent who has paid to be on the list. A referral from a real estate agent generally involves researching their experience, designations such as a Certified Residential Specialist and a phone interview to see, as my father would say, just how bop they are. Trust me, I can tell from a five minute conversation if they’re on their game and ready for a referral to one of my past real estate clients.
So today, I tested the theory and signed up for one of the paid sites. They don’t claim to be a real estate agent just to help find you one. Basically, a webmaster with a real estate license that will try to scrape anywhere from 25-50% of the referral agent’s commission.
As a consumer, you should know so that you can perform your own search for a qualified Bonita Springs Realtor or real estate agent instead of just getting dealt a random agent from a directory. Directories and websites like Realtor, Zillow and Trulia aren’t necessarily bad, it’s just that what you get served to you as a real estate consumer isn’t necessarily what you may need and judging quality or experience could be challenging. A little bit of research, may serve you well.
If you’re looking for a tutorial to find a Bonita Springs listing agent you can start by learning the best way to find a listing agent to sell your home. I’ve written quite a comprehensive series of articles, here: Listing & Choosing a Bonita Springs Listing Agent. If you have questions, call or text Chris Griffith at 239-273-7430