How To Choose A Real Estate Agent
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
How To Choose A Real Estate Agent
One of the most important financial decisions you will ever make is buying or selling a home. Amazingly, few people give finding the right real estate agent much thought. Many times an agent is chosen because of the recommendation from a friend or relative or from an ad in the newspaper. Taking time to select the right agent to meet your needs can save you aggravation and effort in finding a new home or selling your home quickly.
Just picking up the phone book and choosing a real estate agent based on their yellow pages ad is just as smart as choosing a brain surgeon by the same method. Once you make the announcement that you are ready to buy or sell a home, you may be surprised at the number of people who want to represent you. You won't have to worry about finding an agent; you only have to worry about finding a good agent.
Most people are totally backward in the process. They pick up the phone and call about a house they are interested in and from that point on, they are joined at the hip to an agent who may or may not be any good. You have no way of knowing if they are indifferent to your needs, or maybe very new in the business. The only thing you know for a certainty is they are capable of answering a telephone. Find an agent before you find a house.
This is especially important if you are selling a house. Your house is the most valuable thing you own, so it is imperative that you find an agent your can trust. This agent has a tremendous responsibility to you and a tremendous duty--a duty of trust and confidence.
Where to Start?
Asking friends and family for suggestions is a place to start, but don't hire an agent solely on their recommendations. Don't choose an agent based on their personality alone.
The best way to proceed is to choose an agency first and then ask them to suggest a couple of the top agents. Stick with the person you choose. If you see a sign in front of a house with an agent listed, their responsibility will be to the seller first and you, the buyer, second. Let your agent know which property you are interested in and allow them to take over from that point.
What to Consider
Your real estate agent or broker must be licensed by the state to sell real estate. Choosing an agent that is a Realtor means that person is also licensed by the National Association of Realtors and therefore must abide by a strict code of ethics.
Avoid dual agencies in which the agency represents the buyer and the seller. It is impossible to be equally represented.
Choose an agent that handles homes in your price range.
Choose an agent who listens to what you want and who will take the time to explain things you do not understand. You are paying for their time, so allow them to earn their money and ask the hard questions.
It is important to choose an agent who is available on your time schedule. If you are only available to look at homes on Sunday, and your agent doesn't work that day, then find one to accommodate you and not the other way around.
Make sure your agent can assist you with other services, such as arranging a house inspection, refer you to qualified lending professionals who will assist you with needs, and find real estate attorneys.
If you are buying a home, interview the prospective agent just as if you were hiring them for a job, because you are! Ask questions. Take notes. Interview several agents before making your decision.
If you are selling your home, ask about the agent's marketing plan. If they are offering just an MLS listing, they are not earning their commission. Make a list of questions and ask every potential agent the same set of questions so you can compare apples to apples. Ask them to explain the market conditions. Ask what makes them different from other agents. Ask why you should choose them. Ask about their firm. Ask for the names and phone numbers of former clients and once you get this list, use it.
The agents at Nancy Chandler Associates are among the best in the Hampton Roads and Tidewater area of Virginia. Whether you are buying a home or selling, the agents in this firm put you first. These professionals listen when you speak and will not steer you wrong. Contact Nancy Chandler Associates at (757) 436-5500. Nancy Chandler serves Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Portsmouth in the Hampton Roads and Tidewater areas of Virginia.
Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ms. Vertigan Pope is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for Nancy Chandler Associates.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Vertigan_Pope
Just picking up the phone book and choosing a real estate agent based on their yellow pages ad is just as smart as choosing a brain surgeon by the same method. Once you make the announcement that you are ready to buy or sell a home, you may be surprised at the number of people who want to represent you. You won't have to worry about finding an agent; you only have to worry about finding a good agent.
Most people are totally backward in the process. They pick up the phone and call about a house they are interested in and from that point on, they are joined at the hip to an agent who may or may not be any good. You have no way of knowing if they are indifferent to your needs, or maybe very new in the business. The only thing you know for a certainty is they are capable of answering a telephone. Find an agent before you find a house.
This is especially important if you are selling a house. Your house is the most valuable thing you own, so it is imperative that you find an agent your can trust. This agent has a tremendous responsibility to you and a tremendous duty--a duty of trust and confidence.
Where to Start?
Asking friends and family for suggestions is a place to start, but don't hire an agent solely on their recommendations. Don't choose an agent based on their personality alone.
The best way to proceed is to choose an agency first and then ask them to suggest a couple of the top agents. Stick with the person you choose. If you see a sign in front of a house with an agent listed, their responsibility will be to the seller first and you, the buyer, second. Let your agent know which property you are interested in and allow them to take over from that point.
What to Consider
Your real estate agent or broker must be licensed by the state to sell real estate. Choosing an agent that is a Realtor means that person is also licensed by the National Association of Realtors and therefore must abide by a strict code of ethics.
Avoid dual agencies in which the agency represents the buyer and the seller. It is impossible to be equally represented.
Choose an agent that handles homes in your price range.
Choose an agent who listens to what you want and who will take the time to explain things you do not understand. You are paying for their time, so allow them to earn their money and ask the hard questions.
It is important to choose an agent who is available on your time schedule. If you are only available to look at homes on Sunday, and your agent doesn't work that day, then find one to accommodate you and not the other way around.
Make sure your agent can assist you with other services, such as arranging a house inspection, refer you to qualified lending professionals who will assist you with needs, and find real estate attorneys.
If you are buying a home, interview the prospective agent just as if you were hiring them for a job, because you are! Ask questions. Take notes. Interview several agents before making your decision.
If you are selling your home, ask about the agent's marketing plan. If they are offering just an MLS listing, they are not earning their commission. Make a list of questions and ask every potential agent the same set of questions so you can compare apples to apples. Ask them to explain the market conditions. Ask what makes them different from other agents. Ask why you should choose them. Ask about their firm. Ask for the names and phone numbers of former clients and once you get this list, use it.
The agents at Nancy Chandler Associates are among the best in the Hampton Roads and Tidewater area of Virginia. Whether you are buying a home or selling, the agents in this firm put you first. These professionals listen when you speak and will not steer you wrong. Contact Nancy Chandler Associates at (757) 436-5500. Nancy Chandler serves Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk and Portsmouth in the Hampton Roads and Tidewater areas of Virginia.
Karen Vertigan Pope writes for Ciniva Systems, an award winning Virginia web design company. Ciniva specializes in web design and SEO. Ms. Vertigan Pope is an SEO Specialist with Ciniva. Ciniva Systems is in charge of SEO for Nancy Chandler Associates.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Vertigan_Pope
How To Find A Real Estate Agent
You may be of the opinion that you don’t need a real estate agent and that using one will add to the cost of buying your new home.
The fact is that a real estate agent’s fees are typically paid by the seller of the home. So, as a buyer, you can get the services of a professional real estate agent without having to
directly pay for it. Please confirm this in any paperwork or contracts that a real estate agent may provide because policies vary greatly by state and company. Be sure to ask about fees
when you interview agents.
Most real estate agents may work with buyers and sellers but often they specialize in working with one or the other. Make sure the agent that you choose has experience working with buyers and with no down payment transactions.
Be careful if you are speaking with a real estate agent and they don’t seem to recognize terms like “Down Payment Assistance Program”.
Start making a list of possible real estate agents to interview with referrals from your lender, friends and family.
A referral from the lender is great because you get the services from people that have worked together in the past and are already familiar with each other's systems. This can help prevent any last minute surprises or obstacles.
Questions to ask while you are interviewing real estate agents:
Please explain your fees.
Are you familiar with any no down payment financing programs?
Have you been involved with no down payment buyers in the past?
Would you mind providing sample contracts so I may review them?
Does it clearly state in the contract who will be paying your fees?
How long have you been a real estate agent?
Do you mostly work with buyers or sellers?
I’m looking for a home in the areas of ______. How familiar are you with those areas?
What specific steps would you take to help me find the home I am looking for?
You should also try to get an idea of these factors while you are speaking with the agent.
- Does this person have good negotiating skills?
- Do you feel this agent is trying to understand your situation so that they can properly
represent you to sellers?
- How much knowledge does the agent have about mortgage markets?
Do you need business or finance information? Visit Business Finance Information, FREE web site for those who want to learn how to achieve success in business and finance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Fir
The fact is that a real estate agent’s fees are typically paid by the seller of the home. So, as a buyer, you can get the services of a professional real estate agent without having to
directly pay for it. Please confirm this in any paperwork or contracts that a real estate agent may provide because policies vary greatly by state and company. Be sure to ask about fees
when you interview agents.
Most real estate agents may work with buyers and sellers but often they specialize in working with one or the other. Make sure the agent that you choose has experience working with buyers and with no down payment transactions.
Be careful if you are speaking with a real estate agent and they don’t seem to recognize terms like “Down Payment Assistance Program”.
Start making a list of possible real estate agents to interview with referrals from your lender, friends and family.
A referral from the lender is great because you get the services from people that have worked together in the past and are already familiar with each other's systems. This can help prevent any last minute surprises or obstacles.
Questions to ask while you are interviewing real estate agents:
Please explain your fees.
Are you familiar with any no down payment financing programs?
Have you been involved with no down payment buyers in the past?
Would you mind providing sample contracts so I may review them?
Does it clearly state in the contract who will be paying your fees?
How long have you been a real estate agent?
Do you mostly work with buyers or sellers?
I’m looking for a home in the areas of ______. How familiar are you with those areas?
What specific steps would you take to help me find the home I am looking for?
You should also try to get an idea of these factors while you are speaking with the agent.
- Does this person have good negotiating skills?
- Do you feel this agent is trying to understand your situation so that they can properly
represent you to sellers?
- How much knowledge does the agent have about mortgage markets?
Do you need business or finance information? Visit Business Finance Information, FREE web site for those who want to learn how to achieve success in business and finance.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Fir
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