Real Estate

When you decide it's time to sell you home then you will need to find a good Realtor® or real estate agent. You are going to want someone who will represent you and who will do an effective job in marketing your home.

The same thing holds true when you decide to buy a home. Most of the time people find "their" agent because they called about a house they want to look at. The same care and due diligence should be exercised whether you are buying or selling a home when it comes to finding the right Realtor® for your needs.

Listing Agents vs. Selling Agents

There is a difference between listing agents and selling agents. Listing agents are the ones who "list" a home for sale and make sure that it gets on the Multiple Listing Service. These agents in this capacity deal mainly sellers. Selling agents or "buyer's" agents do not necessarily list very many homes for sale. They deal mainly with people looking to purchase a home.

Buyer's agents concentrate on selling homes that are listed in the MLS.

It is not uncommon for agents to concentrate on one side or the other. There are also agents who split their time equally between buyers and sellers. You have to determine for yourself what is more important. If you are buying a home who do you want on your side? A Realtor® who deals primarily with sellers, one who deals mostly with buyers, or one who splits their time in both areas. It ends up being a personal preference and many times it will depend upon how well you "gel" with the agent.

Generally when you call because of an ad in the newspaper, magazine or online you will reache the listing agent. Listing agents place ads because they need to show the seller that they are doing something to sell their home. This also helps sellers see how much they advertise, and last but not lease is that it can attract other individuals who are thinking of selling their homes. Listing agents use this advertising as a method to show prospective sellers some of the ways they will advertise properties.
Why Agents Advertise - Really!

You may be surprised to find out that many times the main reason that a Realtor® advertises heavily is so that other Realtors® will find their listings. This is good for you as a seller because you want as many agents as possible knowing about your property. The more Realtors® that know of your property, the better chance you have of selling it quickly. Most of a listing agent's marketing efforts toward other Realtors® is effective and does a home seller the most good.

Another reason listing agents advertise is to show their clients that they are aggressively marketing their property. Every time a home seller sees an ad from a particular Realtor®, they are more likely to list with that Realtor®. So, even though the ads may look like they are directed toward home buyers, (and they are) they often have another purpose and that is to attract others who may want to sell their home as well.

Selling agents (buyer's agents) advertise homes for sale in order to attract buyers. However, they understand and don't really expect you to purchase the home the you call about originally. Most buyers will need to see several homes before deciding upon one they like enough to make an offer on.

Generally the first thing that will happen when you call about a house in a real estate ad is that you will set up an appointment to go and view the home with your Realtor®. Most of the time your agent will have other homes that may interest you and you will likely look at those as well. Eventually, you and the Realtor® will zero in on what you need and like in the proper price range and area and you will make an offer.

Should You Call the Listing Agent or Get Your Own Agent?

Remember, this listing agent is working for the seller. Is this the person that you want representing your interests in this transaction? Chances are that everything would be fine if you did, but it could be risky. It would be like both the husband and the wife using the same attorney to represent each of them in a divorce.

When you make an offer to buy a house, you are entering into a negotiation. Naturally the seller want to sell their home for as much as possible and you as the buyer want to pay the lowest price possible. If the Realtor® you have chosed is representing both sides there is a conflict of interest. This doesn't mean that an ethical Realtor® can't equally represent both sides. However, If the listing Realtor® knows how much you are willing to pay for a home or the loan amount you have been qualified for, and that information gets somehow passed on to the seller even though they are also representing you as the homebuyer, you are at a disadvantage.

There are other ways that having the same Realtor® represent both sides of the transaction can be a negative as well.

The best thing you to do when you see an advertisement in the paper is to call your own Realtor®, one that you have already interviewed and feel comfortable with and tell them about the ad. Leave it to your Realtor® to call the listing agent and gather the information on the property. Your Realtor® may have information that you don't know about that can help you in making decisions to view as well as buy.

How Do You Find A Good Realtor®?

Referrals are always a good way to start. Anyone you know who has bought or sold a home recently can give you their experience with the Realtor they worked with. You want a Realtor® who knows the area you want to live in. Preferably they have already seen many of the homes that are available in that community. If the Realtor® has knowledge of the specific community that is a plus because you aren't just buying a house, you are buying a home.

Any Realtor® can show you every property that is availabl in any area. Your first step in buying or selling a home, should be to shop for a Realtor®. Shop for a Realtor® the same way you would shop for any other professional.

You want someone who is going to work for you.
One way to find good candidates is to talk to professionals from related professions and ask their opinion. Maybe you know someone who is an escrow officer, title representative, homeowners insurance salesman, or loan officer. These types of related professions can often recommend qualified Realtor®s from the area they work in.

Another easy way is to just make phone calls to real estate offices and ask questions. Compile a list of questions that will help you determine whether the Realtor® is experienced, motivated, honest, and will work for your interests.

You can also do what you are doing right now! Look online for your Realtor®. Many agents have their own website and are active in promoting themselves. By researching this way you can gain a pretty good idea whether you are getting a "buyer's"; agent instead of a listing agent. Look to see if their web page offers something to you in the way of information or other services instead of just telling you they are "number one." You want someone of value to represent you.

Interviewing A Realtor®

You should be looking for someone who will be concerned about you and will take care of your interests. You want a Realtor® who demonstrates ready knowledge of homes for sale and does not have to call you back after they "check the computer." This ready knowledge demonstrates they have actually been out looking at homes and aren't just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring. Ensure that they are asing you questions, including your financial and debt information. By asking these questions, a good Realtor® will be able to determine the proper price range you should be looking in and can lead you in the right direction. By asking about your family, an agent will be able to tell if what you need in a home is something available in your price range. Don't shy away from a Realtor® who is bold enough to talk straight with you. You need a person who is going to tell you what you NEED to hear rather than what you want to hear.

Last but not least, any good agent will ask for an appointment to meet with you, as well. It is only natural, since they earn their living by commissions. However, Realtors® are also supposed to act as your agent, looking out for your interests before their own. You want a Realtor® who takes that responsibility very seriously. If someone seems too much like a salesman, then maybe you should look a little further.