Re/Max ranks first among buyers, sellers in JD Power survey

Home sellers surveyed by JD Power and Associates expressed greater satisfaction with the way their properties were marketed than a year ago. But frustrated buyers seem to be blaming agents for problems that interfered with them closing a deal.The survey of more than 3,680 buyers and sellers found that buyers were shown nine homes, on average, before making a purchase, down from 17.5 in last year's survey.The survey, conducted in March, April and May, included respondents who'd bought or sold a home between March 2010 and April 2011.Sellers said their property was shown an average of 8.6 times prior to a sale, down from 12.1 showings in last year's survey.Six in 10 buyers and sellers said their agent asked them for a referral or recommendation, up from 47 percent in 2010 -- an indication of the key role referrals play in landing business.The study asked homebuyers about the services provided by their agent, their agent's office, and the variety of additional services provider.Overall sa...