Deerfield resident Michael Erdman recently launched AgentsCompared.com, a consumer-centric website that helps prospective Chicagoland home buyers and sellers make more informed decisions when selecting a real estate agent.  The site lets consumers efficiently discover, evaluate and compare – on an apples to apples basis – competing local agents on the criteria most important to them, such as an agent’s track record (success stories, relevant statistics, etc.), price (commissions, rebates, etc.), specialties (first time buyers, short sales, REOs, etc.), local market knowledge, and over a dozen others.  Prospective home buyers and sellers can use AgentsCompared.com to see how a referral stacks up against competing agents, and find other local agents that may offer better value, greater expertise, etc.

“I’m not a Realtor®, but I think it’s fair to say that none of the current “Find an Agent” websites appear to have been created with the consumer firmly in mind,” explained Erdman.  “The space has unfortunately become stagnant, to the detriment of both consumers and agents.  AgentsCompared.com will deliver some much needed innovation to the process of selecting a local real estate agent,” Erdman added.

 AgentsCompared.com is unlike existing “Find an Agent” websites.  It does not restrict the number or types of agents that can join the site or appear in relevant search results, or attempt to match consumers with agents.  “Featured” placements and broker advertisements are not displayed in search results.  Consumers simply run a search, review the results, and choose whether to make direct contact with an agent.  They are not asked to pay a fee, register, provide personal information, navigate through multiple pages, or wait for an email in order to search the site or obtain results. 

“Who you choose as your real estate agent can obviously make a big difference to your bottom line, end result, and overall experience when buying or selling real estate.  AgentsCompared.com helps prospective home buyers and sellers understand their choices and ask important questions when selecting an agent, something that is especially important in the current housing market,” stated Erdman.

For Chicagoland real estate agents, AgentsCompared.com offers an opportunity to stand out from competing agents, and attract prospective home buyers and sellers that are looking for a local agent, by distinguishing themselves across a variety of categories that are important to consumers, and on a level playing field.