We think a lot of ourselves here at Pickett Street, but it’s always nice when others validate it in the form of an award or designation!
It’s with great pleasure that I announce that two members of the Pickett Street team have been selected by Seattle Magazine as 5-Star Real Estate Agents, Best in Client Satisfaction for 2008. My business partner, Jesse D. Moore, and our fellow associate, Lisa Bender, have both been selected among this year’s honorees.
What exactly does this mean? Seattle Magazine says it best:
Experts say that at least 90 percent of homebuyers rely on real estate agents for advice and guidance. But with more than 14,000 Seattle residents holding real estate licenses, how do you find someone who knows the market, represents your interests and operates with an emphasis on integrity and service? Seattle magazine can help. For the fifth year, the magazine has formed a partnership with Crescendo Business Services, an independent research firm, to find out which real estate agents have most consistently wowed their clients. This past May, Crescendo surveyed by mail and phone, 29,000 Seattle area residents who had recently purchased homes. An additional 250 surveys were sent to mortgage and title companies, who are often best able to judge a real estate agent’s technical skills and knowledge.
On the surveys, recipients were asked to nominate only real estate agents whom they knew through personal experience. They were asked to evaluate them based upon nine criteria: customer service, communication, finding the right home, integrity, negotiation, marketing the home, market knowledge, closing preparation and overall satisfaction.
By June, stacks of surveys had arrived, and Crescendo began carefully scoring and screening each nominee with the Washington State Real Estate Commission’s database to make certain that licenses were up to date and that no disciplinary actions were pending.
Then, before finalizing the list, nominated real estate agents were reviewed by a blueribbon panel of local industry experts. The panel consisted of realty company executives, professional and trade association officers and others directly involved in housing-related businesses. The resulting list of FIVE STAR Real Estate Agents is an elite group, representing less than 6 percent of licensed agents in the Seattle area. Only 758 of the top-scoring real estate agents made this year’s list.
Congratulations Jesse and Lisa!