2. What kind of professional designations have you achieved?
In the state of New Jersey to be a Real Estate salesperson you just have to take a 75 hours course, pass a state examination and then apply for your license with a Real Estate Broker. However higher education is the difference between career oriented REALTORS and just salespeople. The most common designations are the GRI and the CRS, you should expect your REALTOR to have one or more designations or at least be involved in programs or courses towards higher education.

3. What's your business e-mail address?
Having a business e-mail address is a must. If the candidate does not have an email address don't waste any more of your precious time. Today e-mail addresses can be free and no excuse should be acceptable for the candidate not to have one. No e-mail address means lack of internet skills which means this REALTOR is ready to retire.

4. What's your website address and who owns the Domain name?
If the candidate has a web site and owns the domain name, you found one of the best, if not, you found one of the rest. Obviously the candidate has an e-mail address (or several). This candidate might not have any professional designations and might even be new in the business but definitely understands the rules of marketing and might be aggressive enough to deserve your consideration.

5. How strong is your web presence?
There are a lot of Real Estate sites, the bigger the presence the better results for the client. Click here for a link popularity check on your candidate's main site.

6. How many years have you been in the business?
There's no substitute for experience but what's really important is what the candidate has done within the last 12 months. In fact, in the state of New Jersey, there's no minimum sales requirement or continuing education requirement to maintain an active Real Estate license. Someone who got his/her license 20 years ago and never sold Real Estate can be legally considered an active Real Estate Agent with no knowledge of law changes and/or market conditions.

7. May I see your Resume?
If the candidate does not have one, ask why not. A good professional should be proud of his/her accomplishments and a resume should always be handy, after all, the candidate is trying to be hired, right?

8. Are you a member of any referral Network?
A referral network is where Real Estate Professionals are connected with other Real Estate Professionals for the purpose of sending and receiving referrals. You might sell a house in New York using one Real Estate Agent and buy a house in New Jersey with another. Top REALTORS usually belong to one or more large referral networks. Expect it from your candidate.

9. Do you have a marketing plan proposal in writing?
Lots of promises with no written plan should not be acceptable.

10. Do you offer a customer satisfaction warrantee in writing?
If the candidate does not provide you with it, ask why not. Before you sign it you should agree with the marketing plan. The marketing plan must include a performance promise in writing for your protection. If the REALTOR does not comply with his/her written promises, request an unconditional release.

If you are satisfied with your candidate do not let him/her go!
Good REALTORS are hard to find...
Hire your REALTOR of choice.
Trust your REALTOR of choice.
Be honest to your REALTOR of choice.