In real estate transactions & outside of real estate transactions, it can be helpful to know how to find service providers. While no referral is foolproof, even the best-reviewed companies have their problems, & someone who served you before might no longer be in the business, taking the steps below can help to mitigate the likelihood of issues.
How to find potential service providers/places of business:
Reviews generally:
Where to Check Online Reviews
Get a referral
Use someone who you've already worked with and had positive experiences with
Close Proximity
Get a list of possibilities from Adam
Check their Business License on DPOR &/OR SCC Status Before Hiring
Outreach method to potential service providers:
Email/Send message on website
Text
Textual "chat"
Call
Video chat
Confirm Receipt of Links
What questions to ask:
The questions to ask can vary substantially when you reach out to a particular service provider, but some of the most important questions are:
Availability
Cost
What's included
What level of expertise does the service provider/business have
Check their license & any complaints on the state website
What kind of team does the service provider use if they are not a 1 man operation
Questions specific to certain providers
There are some metrics that can be helpful to note following you reaching out to them:
How fast do they respond to you?
Do they answer all your questions?
How well do they/thoroughly do they answer your questions?
How positive or negative are the responses to your questions?
Feel of admin you'd be dealing with regularly beyond primary point of contact
Metrics I try not to factor in much or at all that many factor in far too much in my opinion:
How often they follow up with you
How a gatekeeper makes you feel
Are they a "yes man"
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