Tuesday 31 January 2012

How To Choose Your Real Estate Agent

By Robert Trivett


The ideal agent is not always the one with the most sales under his or her belt, or the most years on the job. The ideal agent is one who listens to you, is easy to get along with, and has the tools and skills to address your unique situation.

The agent should treat buyers on a case to case basis. Some have credit issues. Likewise, some buyers are relocating from out of state. They may also want to put their house on the market and they can use some help. Just as buyers have different needs, real estate agents have different skills and specialties.

Your problem therefore is to find a buyer you can work well with.

Maybe a friend or family can recommend one good agent. Nobody knows you as well as your friends and family do. You can be pretty sure that whoever they suggest will be reliable and capable. Furthermore, you can trust their judgment and honesty more than you would an unknown person.

Take your time choosing agents. 84% of home buyers choose the first real estate agent they contact. This is understandable for a couple of reasons. They must have been proven correct in their first choice or they just don't have the patience or they are pressed for time. It can also be a combination of both.

Neither should you go through the tedious process of going through the life histories of the agents; just get a feel of who you can go along with from a choice of two or three agents.

The key word is compatibility. Professional expertise is an important criterion when choosing a real estate agent. Plus, you must be comfortable working with each other. You will be seeing your agent throughout the duration so you must be able to feel free to talk and express your thoughts and opinion. We all have unique personalities, and that's the way it should be. But when working with someone professionally, it helps if their personality "meshes" well with your own.

Ask how they hunt. When deciding on a real estate agent, ask how they search for homes. You must be able to tell if the agent is making decisions that will benefit his interests or yours. It could mean that he is looking after himself at your expense. Remember that he is supposed to work for you. The agent must be under compulsion to exert his best effort to look for the home that will meet your criteria. That includes using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well as their own personal network.

Read paperwork carefully. This advice is heavily used for a reason. Real estate transactions require documentation, among which would be your contract with the agent. The terms and conditions of your agreement with the agent will be spelled out in written contract. Under the agreement, the agent should get the benefits due him if he is able to arrange a consummated purchase agreement. The only thing that you should see to is that everything is in order and as per your agreement.




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