Sunday, August 5, 2012

Things To Consider When Choosing A Real Estate Agent

There are some things you want to take into consideration when it comes to choosing a real estate agent or broker to sell your home. While you may have a better chance of getting exposure for your home, you need to remember that it is in your best interest to screen and research any professional you want to put in charge of this process before you commit to anything.

Keep in mind that the way a real estate agent makes money is by expanding his client base and selling homes. Each open house they host is a very lucrative opportunity for them to make a deal, and not necessarily with your home. While there is nothing wrong with them using your open house as an opportunity to gain more clients, a good agent will actually showcasing your home and accentuating its selling points. You can't control the types of potential buyers that show up to the viewing of your home, and it's not uncommon to end up with people who are not really interested in your home and are only seeking information to sell their own property. Keep in mind that you can't judge a book by its cover. The same goes with potential buyers. You can't look at a person or couple and know what they are looking for or what they can afford. A good agent will treat every potential buyer with courtesy and do their best to present your home as one of the top properties in the area.

Just because you want to use a particular real estate agent doesn't mean that you have to be willing to pay the price they are asking for their services. The real estate industry is so competitive that there are some ways you can use it to your advantage. If you are skilled in the art of negotiations, you may want to try and talk down the agent on their fees. While you may be in need of their guidance, they also recognize that you can easily go elsewhere and get a better rate. Negotiate your broker fees and you can end up saving some money and getting the best advice and guidance for your situation.

Don't assume that there is no one interested in your home. Legally any real estate agent or broker you use is required to tell you if there have been any offers towards your home. Some agents may omit to tell you about any offers that have come in that seem too low to them. If you have taken the time to choose a trustworthy agent, then chances are you will hear about every offer that comes in. Keep in mind that agents make their money off of how much your property sells for. The more they can get for your home, the bigger their commission check will be. Make sure you are kept in the loop and properly informed of every offer regardless of how high or low it may seem. Even though you are using an agent, you still have the final say about how and when your home sells.

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