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How to find the right real estate agent
By Editor | November 11, 2007
All Realtors are not the same
Why not having the right realtor can turn your home buying experience into a nightmare.
Imagine if you will the idea of finding the perfect home or real estate investment and then watching as it vanishes right in front of you, or even worse after you sign the paperwork to buy your dream home you find out there are hidden problems with it. What do you do? Who is to blame? And more importantly how do you protect yourself from becoming the victim of your own real estate nightmare?
The answer is quite simple… Find a qualified and experienced real estate agent first!
There are many guides for homebuyers out there on the Internet and available through Government agencies that make an emphasis on getting pre-approved loans, searching the market before you seek an agent and many other important things that the potential homebuyer should do before actually starting the home buying process. And while getting a pre-approved home loan and researching the real estate market is sound advice, without an experienced and qualified real estate agent at your side to guide you through the sometimes confusing and complication process you stand a greater chance of becoming a another of those real estate nightmares you read about on the Internet.
So ok, now the question is; how do I find the right real estate agent to help me with my new home purchase? Before answering that question, lets take a minute to define the roles realtors take in the real estate industry. There are in laymen terms two types of agents; a buyers agent, and a sellers agent. Both are driven with the same goal; to represent and protect the interests of their client.
A buyer’s agent represents the buyer’s interests in finding and purchasing a home. Using a buyer’s agent will cost you a bit more money, but the benefits are well worth the investment. An experienced buyer’s agent is well versed in the local real estate market and laws and has an established presence in the community he works in. After defining your needs and situation a buyer’s agent will work with you in all phases of the home buying process. There will be many things to consider when buying a home and your real estate agent will be able to offer sound advice and information every step of the way. Getting you the best possible deal on home is a buyer’s agent’s number one priority!
A seller’s agent is the agent that lists and represents a property for sale on the MLS system (Multiple Listings Service). He has a contract with the owner of the property for sale and he represents the seller’s interests in all aspects of the listing and sale of the property. The seller’s agent is bound by the same local real estate laws as a buyer’s agent, and it is the seller’s agent’s objective to sell his clients property for the highest price possible with terms that benefit the seller.
Finding your Real Estate agent
The following tips are only a few of the many suggestions of effective ways of finding a qualified real estate agent to help you buy your next home.
1. REALTORS® and Real Estate Agents
All Realtors® are licensed to sell real estate as an agent or a broker but not all real estate agents are Realtors®. Only Realtors® can display the Realtor® logo. Realtors® belong to the National Association of Realtors and pledge to follow the Code of Ethics, a comprehensive list containing 17 articles and underlying standards of practice, which establish levels of conduct that are higher than ordinary business practices or those required by law. Less than half of all licensees are Realtors®.
2. Referrals
Most real estate agents stay in business because satisfied clients refer them to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers. Ask the people around you who they have used and ask them to describe their experiences with this real estate agent. Successful agents make customer satisfaction their number one priority and put their customers’ needs before their own. Try to find an agent who goes above and beyond her responsibilities. She’ll be the agent whose praises your friends sing loudest.
3. Search Online for Agent Listings
There are plenty of Web sites that will refer agents to you but that is no assurance of quality. The agents they refer are those who have paid the Web site owners a fee to be listed in their directory. A better bet is to Google the top real estate companies in your area go to those Web sites and look up profiles of individual agents at offices near you. Agents who are experienced will tell you but newer agents might have more time to spend with you. Look for customer testimonials.
4. Attend Open Houses
By going to open houses, you can meet real estate agents in a non-threatening working environment and interact with them. Collect business cards and make notes on them. If this were your home, would you be happy with the way the agent is showing the property? Is she polite and informative; appear knowledgeable? Does she hand out professional-looking promotional material about the home? Is she trying to sell features of the home? Or is she sitting in a corner reading a book, ignoring you?
5. Track Neighborhood Signs
Pay attention to the listing signs in your neighborhood. Make note of the day they go up and when the sold sign appears. The agent who sells listings the fastest might be better for you than the agent with the largest number of "for sale" signs. Results speak volumes.
6. Using Print Advertising
Real estate agents run real estate ads for two purposes. The first is to sell specific real estate. The second is to promote the real estate agent. Look in your local Sunday newspaper for ads in your targeted neighborhood. Then look up the Web sites of the agents who are advertising. These agents could be specialists in your neighborhood. Call and ask them about their experience.
7. Recommendations from Professionals
Ask other real estate agents for referrals. Agents are happy to refer buyers and sellers to associates, especially if the service you need is not a specialty of the agent who is referring you. Some agents specialize in residential resales while others work exclusively with new homebuilders. Other agents sell only commercial or investment property. Mortgage brokers are also a resource for agent referrals as many brokers have first-hand knowledge of exceptional agents. Pros tend to refer pros.
There are many ways possible to find the right real estate agent, but with these tips and a bit of footwork on your part in no time you will have found the right agent and will be relaxing enjoying a cup of coffee in the kitchen or living room of your new home!
For more information I invite you to visit Pat O’Brien & Associates on the web at www.patobrien.com or call them directly at 231-582-1700
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