There are different types of real estate markets.  And, there are different types of real estate agents. 

As a seller, one needs to evaluate the market, its positive and more challenging attributes ,to best determine what type of agent is best to manage the transaction.  Some agents are superub at marketing locally, some market outside the locale, while others do no print marketing and use word of month.  In a fast moving market those agents gifted with word of mouth marketing may be the best fit.  That agent can set your property apart and give it an image of exclusiveness compared to those in the newspaper.  But that same agent may not be the best in a slower market. An agent that sees the potential of marketing outside the local area may best represent a seller's expectations and successful sell the property in a slower market. 

An agent that is part of a successful, award winning team may be most appropriate in a fast market.  The team can pull its resources and see your transaction is handled successfully in the fast moving market.  But in a slow market a non-award winning agent may best represent the interests of the seller.  That smaller agent has more drive to succeed in order to earn awards that award winning agents may come to expect.

Recently a visitor to one of my "Open Houses" told me he did not want a big, well known agent to list his million dollar residence. Instead, he stated, he wanted a no-name agent who is willing to make the extra effort to make a name for him or herself in selling  his residence.  His opinion was the big agents take thier listings for granted and do rudimentary steps in an attempt get the property sold.  It was very enlightening to hear what he said.  What I learned from this gentleman at my "Open House" was a valuable gem of information I could use in my marketing campaigns. 

Repeatedly, when my friends and family share their experiences with top producing real estate agents, the complaints include,agents not returning calls, agents not appearing to work diligently through marketing, agents not keeping the sellers abreast of events or information about their transactions.  This may be unintended by the agents resulting from juggling so many transactions simultaneously.  It may undermine the customer service each client is receiveing in those fast past, good markets.

I am one of those knowlegeable, enthusiastic, customer service driven agents who provides extraordinary care to my buyers and sellers.  I win the awards of compliments from my clients, even if they do not purchase from me, because I limit the number of clients I take on and refer the others to fellow agents.  This permits me to concentrate on my buyers and sellers to give fully involved management to those transactions. 

So when the market is tough, and you need an agent who will fully be involved in you as a buyer or seller, go with Sklueff, Margaret H. Sklueff, Realtor Extraordinaire.