How to Choose the Real Estate Agent That is Right for You

If you are planning to hire a real estate agent to help you with selling your home, it is important that you take the time to find someone that is well qualified and that will look out for your best interest. Therefore, there are several things you should keep in mind when searching for a real estate agent in order to guarantee the best results. These include:

· Checking credentials

· Finding out more about the real estate agent's procedures

· Confirming who the agent will be representing

· Learning about fees

By evaluating all of these areas, you will have a better chance of hiring a real estate agent that will best suit your needs.

Checking Credentials

Ideally, you should hire someone that is a designated Realtor. Real estate agents are actually different from Realtors, as Realtors have to complete extra steps in order to achieve this designation. Realtors are also held to a higher standard than real estate agents because they have to adhere to the Code of Ethics as established by the National Association of Realtors.

In addition to dealing with someone that is a Realtor, you should also check to make certain the agent has an active license that is in good standing. It is also a good idea to find out the designations the agent holds. This way, you can make certain You can easily check on the Realtor's license by checking with the governing agency in your state.

Finding Out More About the Real Estate Agent's Procedures

Before you pick a Realtor, it is important to find someone that uses procedures you are comfortable with. For example, you might want to work with an agent that will put your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database or you may prefer one that will keep the sale more private. While most agents will be flexible and will work within the terms you prefer, others may have an established procedure that they are unwilling change. Make certain you and the agent are a good match before you sign a contract.

Confirming Who the Agent Will be Representing

There are two major types of real estate brokers to select from: buyer's brokers and seller's brokers. A buyer's broker represents the best interest of the person buying the house while the seller's broker represents the person selling the home. This is an important differentiation because the agent is bound to the person he or she represents, which means the agent does not have to maintain confidentiality for the other person in the sell. In other words, if you are dealing with an agent that represents the buyer and you tell the agent you would be willing to go as low as $130,000 on your price, the agent is obligated to share this information with the buyer. Make certain you are dealing with an agent that will be representing your best interests.

Learning About Fees

You also need to discuss fees upfront. You should have a clear understanding of how much you will have to pay the agent for his or her commission. You should also find out whether or not the agent is willing to reduce the commission amount if you are having trouble selling the home for the price you are trying to get.

In exchange for the fees you pay, the agent should clearly describe the services that will be provided. Don't assume that services such as advertising your home are automatically part of the deal. After all, you don't want to be caught by surprise by extra fees that pop up down the road.

Real Estate Agent Vs Realtor - What's the Difference?

A lot of people use the two terms, realtor and real estate agents in case of each other. But this isn't correct. There are differences which exist among the two and hence they aren't the same thing and neither can you use one term in place of the other. Both of them might have licences to sell but then realtor is under trademark. This means that they are a member of the NAR, Mational Association of Realtors. If we take the US for example, then you will find that all of the real estate agents have a license which helps a consumer to buy as well as sell commercial property. But then all realtors aren't real estate agents.

But then the most important difference which exists among them is that the realtor has to subscribe to the "Realtor Code of Ethics". But then to a consumer, what does this really mean?? Well the code of ethics is quite strictly enforced. It has 17 articles and also different underlying standards of practice. This isn't just a whole bunch of rules which the agents have to swear to adhere to and uphold. These standards are actually quite restrictive and also confining considering the rest of the rules and regulations other government agents have to follow.

Now just because the realtors have to follow a code of ethics, this doesn't really mean that they are ethically or even morally better than the real estate agents. Now there are 17 things which is the basic difference between the realtor and property agents, which the realtors promise they will do.

• Will pledge to put all of the interests of the buyers as well as the sellers before their own ones. Also to treat all of the parties which are involved honestly?

• Will refrain from over exaggerating or misrepresenting or even concealing material facts. They are also obligated to investigate as well as disclose various situations which are not the case with property agents.

• Will cooperate with the other brokers or agent when the best interest of the client is at hand. You will find that even with the best interest of the client at hand, the real estate agents will be selfish.

• Will have a duty of disclose information if they actually represent family members who usually own or actually are going to buy the real estate.

• Will not be allowed to collect any sort of commissions with the knowledge of the seller.

• Will not provide any sort of professional services during a transaction.

• Will have to refuse the fees from a party without the consent of the other parties.

• Will not co mingle the funds of the client along with their own?

• Will not try to ensure that all of the written documents are easy to understand and will provide everyone with a copy of whatever they sign which is usually not done by real estate agents.

Finding Real Estate Agents

Finding a real estate agent is an important part of the house buying process. If you're buying a home, a real estate agent can help guide you through the process. An agent can also help narrow your home search by searching the real estate listings that only realtors have access to. Using a real estate agent typically will cost you about three percent of the purchase price of your home. Many people consider this cost well worth their while in order to have an easier trip through the real estate process.

Where to Find a Real Estate Agent

When you're shopping for a real estate agent, you should first ask your family and friends which realtors they've used. Ask your family and friends what they liked and didn't like about them and whether they'd recommend those realtors. Also, take a drive through some of the neighborhoods where you wouldn't mind buying a home. Look at the realty signs in those neighborhoods. The realtors whose signs are at those homes will be more likely to know the neighborhood than other ones who may not have spent as much time there.

Consider also going to the national realty companies to find a realtor. The large companies have hired realtors that typically have plenty of experience to help guide you through the realty process.

How to Shop For the Right Real Estate Agent

Interview several realtors before you decode on the one you truly want to use. You'll want to visit each realtor and get a good feel for what that person can do for you and whether they can help you out. Ask them how long they've been doing this and feel free to ask them pertinent questions about your particular realty needs. If they know the answers off the tops of their heads, they probably are experienced. But if they are willing to go look up the answer and get back to you, you probably can count on them to do the research you need.

Some realtors will want you to sign a non-compete agreement before getting started. This may or may not be a good idea. A non-compete agreement means that you are agreeing for a set period of time to buy a house through that particular realtor only. This is good only for the realtor. If you end up not liking the realtor, you can't just up and leave.

Checking Out Your Real Estate Agent

When you think you've landed on the real estate agent you want to use, check them out with the proper licensing agencies in your state. Make sure they are registered as a realtor there. Ask the realtor for a couple of references and call those people. Ask those other customers any questions you'd like about the realtor. Those who have worked with the realtor can perhaps tell you better than anyone else what that realtor truly can do for you.

Finding a real estate agent that fits your needs may take some time but it will be well worth the search when you find someone who's reliable, skilled and who can find you the perfect home you've been searching for.

7 Reasons to Use a Realtor When Selling Your Home

The debate continues. Should you hire a Realtor to sell your home, or just do it yourself? Like a tireless pendulum, opinions on the debate can go back and forth. Many assume they can actually save money, time, and numerous frustrations by playing real estate agent. In some rare cases this may be true. Often, however, these individuals actually lose a large sum of capital, spend uncounted hours of precious time trying to make a sale (to no avail), and heap frustrating irritation upon themselves throughout the process. If you are planning on selling your home and aren't sure if you want to hire a Realtor or just do it all yourself, you might want to consider the following points before making a decision.

1. A Realtor will save your precious time.

Trying to sell a house can take a lot of time. If you are like 99.9% of the employed American population, then you don't have much to spare. Consider the various duties which, if you decide to be your own Realtor, will immediately be on your plate: studying the market, writing advertisements, answering a barrage of phone calls (many of which are not seriously interested in buying), meeting with potential buyers, researching and answering their questions, filling out mountains of paperwork, etc. All this must be done in your after-work hours. Just as much as you have a specific trade which you are time-efficient in, so does a Realtor. It may be wise to do your job, and let a Realtor do his/hers.

2. A Realtor will protect you from unneeded stress.

Trying to sell a home can be a headache, even for a seasoned Realtor. How much more so would it be for someone not used to the wearing a sale's mentality or a carrying Realtor's responsibilities. You may save a few grey hairs throughout the sales process by hiring a Realtor.

3. A Realtor may in fact make the sale more lucrative for you.

Okay, so a Realtor gets paid a commission from the final price of your home. You can sell the same house for the same price--you think--without shelling out the Realtor's commission. How can using a Realtor be more lucrative?

The truth is, a good Realtor is going to sell your home--as a general rule--much quicker than you would on your own. Often, people actually save a hefty sum of money they would have spent on mortgage payments by using a real estate agent.

Also, a Realtor thinks in terms of "what a house will sell for" rather than "what the house is worth." He or she knows the housing market. They know how to price the home. For example, your home may be appraised at $135,000. However, due to a number of various factors (good school system, nice neighborhood, less than thirty minutes from major shopping area, etc.) the Realtor may be inclined to price your house at $145,000. And it still sells in less time than you would have if you had overseen the process.

4. A Realtor knows the rules of the game.

If there is one thing more certain than death and taxes, it is that selling a home guarantees a towering mound of paperwork, various laws, and a vast array of regulations. A proficient real estate agent is well-versed in all of the above. If you use a Realtor, you won't have to use up precious time trying to make sense of it all. And he or she just might save you from making a pricy mistake you would have made on your own simply because you didn't know all the rules involved.

5. A Realtor is a professional salesperson.

Trying to convince someone else to purchase a product can be difficult. If the product sells for a hundred thousand dollars or more, it seems almost impossible. Good sales skills are essential to such selling success. Communication, people skills, integrity, and persuasiveness are traits which abound in realtors. In most cases, they can more convincingly describe a home than the home's owner.

6. Realtors have a number of home-selling tools at their disposal.

The right tool for the job, goes the saying. Real estate agents have access to a number of essential resources. For starters, they are always working with a handful of people who are specifically looking for a home to buy. One of your realtor's clients may be looking for a home just like yours. Real estate agents also rub shoulders with other Realtors. These other Realtors may have that perfect home buyer as well. Lastly, Realtors have access to a lot of real estate databases (a number of which are subscription based). They can post your house on these databases which will be viewed by thousands of Realtors from around the nation, all representing people actively looking to buy a home.

7. Realtors want to sell your home.

Some may think real estate agents aren't as zealous about selling your home as you are. In most cases, this simply is not true. Consider this. A Realtor makes money by selling a house. This is how he or she makes a living. A good real estate agent will bend over backwards to please a client. This is simply a good business practice. And it will bring more business to them.

Professional Realtor or yourself? The debate may continue forever. But considering the previous seven points may make all the difference in deciding which works for you.

Choosing the Right Real Estate Agent

Not all real estate agents, Realtors and brokers are alike. It's wise to shop around and find the real estate team that's right for you. First stop to think about the qualities that you need in a real estate agent to effectively sell your home. Your list may read like this:

Listens to my needs. You want a real estate professional who listens more than talks. Your agent needs to hear what's important to you, and keep your priorities above his or her own at all times.

Works hard and is not lazy. It sounds basic, but there people out there who are not willing to work as hard for you for whatever reason. You need someone at the top of their game, someone at the peak of their career who is ready to get out there and do whatever it takes to get your home sold in a timely manner and for the right price.

Answers my calls. When you're selling your home, nothing is worse than getting voicemail even 50% of the time. You need a real estate professional who is available for you when you need him or her. You need someone you can reach immediately when necessary.

Positive Attitude. Want to sell your home quickly, for more than you expected? Find a Realtor with a good attitude. A negative, moody or depressed agent frankly will not have the confidence necessary to sell your home effectively in any market conditions.

Knowledgeable. Your Realtor needs to be knowledgeable about the legalities of real estate, the marketplace and about your area.

Successful. The best real estate agents are successful agents. You should be able to tell they are successful when you meet with them. They should have an excellent track record and sound references to prove it. An unsuccessful agent is that way for a reason, don't find out why.

Confident & Assertive. When it comes to selling your home, you need someone who is confident and assertive. Confident, because they need to know exactly what they are doing, and assertive because they have to take an assertive stance in the negotiation process. You want someone on your side who knows how to take a stand.

Ethical. You want an ethical real estate agent who you can trust. Not only will he or she show up where expected, but will show up on time. Your Realtor must have an outstanding reputation and perform his or her job with high moral clarity.

Markets your home by many different means. Sometimes all that's needed is a sign in the front yard and you've got offers on your home from here to the Brazos River. Other times, depending on market conditions and other factors, selling your home may require extra techniques and tools such as virtual tours, internet marketing, open houses, direct mail, etc... Make sure your agent is ready to do whatever it takes to get your and your home moving.

Buying a Home and Need a Real Estate Agent: Where To Look

If you are in the market for a new home, you may also be in the market for a realtor. If you need a real estate agent, you'll have no shortage of options. Depending on how big of a town or city you live, you may have a hundred plus realtors itching for your business.

Although utilizing the services of a real estate agent to purchase a home is not required, it is recommended. The key is to select the best realtor to fit your needs. The wrong person can ruin the home buying experience. Always perform a mini-interview in-person or over-the-phone with all candidates; do not pick the first "professional" you come across.

If you need a real estate agent, here are some ideal places to look:

Need a Real Estate Agent?: Realtor Sites

Do a search online with the phrase "realtors" along with your city and state and you will find the online websites of local professionals. They will provide a method of contact, either a phone number or email address. Use this information to make the initial contact. Review their bio page first. Do they have a years of experience helping homeowners buy a house or is this their first month on the job?

Need a Real Estate Agent?: Recommendations

Hands down, the best way to ensure you don't get any so-called professional, but a great realtor, is to rely on recommendations from those that you know. Whether it be a friend, a coworker, a family member, or a Facebook friend who posted about buying a new house, inquire and gather more information. Which professional did they use? Would they recommend their services to you? What where the realtors main pluses and downsides?

Need a Real Estate Agent?: Property Search

While you want to utilize the services of a realtor to help you find, examine, and buy a home, there are benefits to doing a homes for sale search yourself. Find ideal properties for sale. Provide the basic information to the realtor you do later choose. This showcases your overall wants, needs, and budget; they know what you are looking for.

You want to utilize the services of a professional who goes above and beyond. Look for realtors who place extra efforts into selling a home. Extra effort to help sell often translates into extra effort when assisting homebuyers. In addition to MLS sites, check local classified sites. Did they take the time to list properties for sale via Craigslist? Not all realtors will take this extra step.

As a word of caution, do not utilize the services of a realtor who is handling the sale of any home you are interested in purchasing. As the listing agent, they have a vested interest in seeing this property sold. You want an unbiased realtor whose main goal is to assist you and you alone.

Marketing Tools For Real Estate Agents - Realtors Skyrocket Your Sales & Referrals Like Magic

There are quite a few different marketing tools for real estate agents to use out there. These are designed to make it easier for them to get the word out there about various types of property for sale. By doing so they are able to get buyers for them faster than leaving people to find the information on their own. This is a very service oriented type of business. It is those real estate agents that know how to use the tools in front of them that can make a very good living at it.

The marketing tools for real estate agent to use depends on what their goals are. They may use the same ones often but individualize the information they offer. For example they may use the internet and newspapers all the time to list what they have. However, they strive to write up unique introductions to each property. This way a person won't feel like they are reading the same thing over and over again.

Many tools for real estate agents though you can't pay to use. They have to be earned. For example the referrals that you get from other people. When you help someone to buy or sell a house they will walk away with memories of that experience. They will either feel you did all you could for them or that you were a barrier for them along the way to complete the transaction.

You can be sure they are going to share their thoughts on this as well. They are going to tell people they know about that experience. Later on down the road when they know others who are buying or selling property they are going to share that story again. Each time that they do so they are going to include your name in it. Make sure you do all you can to get good reviews via word of mouth.

How To Capture Great Referrals That Will Attract More Listings & Buyers With Ease

Here is a great tip for you when you have sold a home or helped a homebuyer get the home of their dreams. You ask the client to give you a video testimonial on how you have helped them get what they want. The video should talk about your service and how they benefited from using you. Once you get the video you add it to your website for other potential client to see.

Doing so will generate more leads for you than you can ever imagine. It can be difficult to select a real estate agent from all of them in town. However, when you have clients that trust you trust you and sing praises of your ability you will become the go to person in your market.

To my knowledge no real estate agent is using this real estate marketing tool to increase their client base. Don't hesitate use it and become a successful agent.

Handing out business cards and fliers may seem old fashioned but they still get attention. They are good marketing tools for real estate agents to use. It can be more personal if you hand them out at community gatherings. However, you should also find locations where you can place them on counters for customers. Ask at the coffee shop you frequent and even the tanning salon you go to if you can place your real estate business cards on their counter. However the main thing is to make sure that your marketing material speaks to the customer it should not be about you. Your real estate material must show and tell the benefits the potential client will gain by using you and only you. As a realtor it is your duty to use all of the effective real estate marketing tools you can to really set yourself apart from everyone else.

Realtors to take you business to the next level and attract more listings and buyers like magic read the following below to turn this market to your advantage.

Real Estate 101 - Choosing Your Agent-Realtor

"If you're going to be working with a real estate agent on the purchase of a new home, you want to make sure that you choose the right person. After all, a home is an investment that's valuable to both your pocketbook and your personal life and you want to be sure that the professional who is helping you to find that home knows the best way to do that. You also want to make sure that your real estate agent is someone that you get along well with and feel comfortable asking questions of so you shouldn't be afraid to interview your real estate agent before agreeing to work with him or her.

Here are the basic interview questions that you should ask of your real estate agent to determine whether he or she is a person that you want to work with on the purchase of your new home:

o How long have you been working as a real estate agent?

o How long have you been working for this real estate agency (or how long have you had your own real estate practice)?

o Do you work part-time or full-time as a real estate agent? If this is a part-time job, do you maintain another full-time job?

o How long have you been a real estate agent in this city? Which neighborhoods or areas of town do your primarily work in?

o What level of involvement should I expect in working with you? Will you be available for calls and questions? Will you take me to see a number of different houses or will you just tell me where to pick up the keys and have me go on my own?

o How many clients do you currently have? Would you say that you are overworked?

o Do you have a specialty? (If you are looking at a certain kind of home purchase such as a bad credit home loan purchase or a new home construction purchase, ask specifically about the real estate agent's experience with that specialty.)

o What can you tell me about the neighborhood, community activities and schools in the area that interests me?

o May I have references such as clients who have been satisfied with you as their real estate agent?

o What would you identify as your strengths and weaknesses in terms of this business?

o What else can you tell me about the experience of working with you?

You shouldn't be afraid to ask a lot of questions of your real estate agent and even to conduct a semi-formal interview. This initial conversation will tell you a lot about the experience, enthusiasm and ability of the real estate agent. More importantly, it will tell you how willing he or she is to answer your questions and to make sure that you understand what is going on when working with him or her. This interview will set the tone for future interactions and can be a great indicator of what your real estate purchase will look like. So, ask away! Your home is on the line."

Real Estate Agents & Realtors Stop Being Reactive by Lowering Your Fees

Are new Realtors or Real Estate Agents jumping out from everywhere? Is your response to lower your fees? Have you not just diminished all the value that you bring to your potential customer?

How many years of experience do you bring when you sit in front of a potential loyal customer? What is all that experience worth? So why in the world would you consider lowing your fees?

The recent turmoil in the housing industry has created some desperate times for some real estate agents and realtors. Even though most within the industry knew that some of the poor lending practices were eventually going to come home, these same people now are crying poor me and taking reactive behaviors.

The authors of the Blue Ocean Strategy talk about how lowering fees places you in the "Red Ocean" of high competition. If you can find a blue ocean, where it is calm and smooth, you will be able to maintain your fees, possibly even raise them.

Lowering fees results bottom line in lowering your value and does not increase sales in for the long term. Nor does this reactionary behavior improves customer loyalty.

By maintaining your fees, you are showing your value when compared to your competitors. Given the high drop out rate within the real estate industry, chances are those competitors will not be around this time next year. And let us not forget that this potential loyal customer can use your services up to 7 more times given what research from the real estate industry reveals.

A local Realtor I know whose real estate business is 100% referral told me that when meeting with a husband and wife for the first time and the subject of fees comes up, she takes this action. Looking directly at the woman and asks if she shops at Wal-Mart. The woman usually responds "Yes." Then my Realtor friend asks: Why? The response is because of "value." The wife can buy food to clothing that have a good value at a fair price.

Now this very smart real estate agent and Realtor asks: Would you buy your mother of the bride wedding dress or wedding gown for that very special day at Wal-Mart. Always the response is "Absolutely Not!" The subject of lowering fees is never brought up again. For the woman now appreciates the value that this real estate agent is bringing to the table.

Lowering your fees to sell more homes or to list more homes is simply speaking not a smart practice especially if you want to increase sales. Taking such action makes you work harder not smarter. Look to the value that you bring to the real estate transaction. Then find a way to demonstrate that value to your clients so that they never bring up the subject of lowering fees again.

Real Estate Agent-Realtor - How To Find One

Whether you are buying or selling a home or property, you will likely want to work with a realtor. How can you find a real estate agent to assist you? Here are some suggestions:

Word of Mouth

Personal referrals are a great way to find a realtor. Ask friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers if they know someone. Be sure to ask if they have dealt with this individual personally. You will want to find out the following information:

Was the agent courteous and professional?

Was he or she a good listener?

Did the agent attend meetings and open houses on time?

Contact a Real Estate Broker

If you are unable to find a real estate agent through personal referrals, contact a real estate broker and explain your needs: Are you looking to buy or sell? What style of home are you looking for and in what price range? Would you like to live in the city or are you interested in rural properties? Do you want to purchase a building lot, a farm, or a multi-family building? Based on this information, the broker should be able to recommend someone in his or her office who has experience with the type of home or property you are interested in.

Check Out Local Signs

Make note of the agents who are working - and selling - in your neighborhood (if you are selling) or in the neighborhood you are interested in moving to (if you are a buyer). You will want to work with someone who is able to deliver results.

Visit Open Houses

One way to meet a real estate agent is to attend an open house he or she is holding. You will be able to get an impression of this person's working style and start to consider whether this is someone you could work with for your own purchase or sale.

Find an Agent Online

A number of online directories provide listings for real estate agents. In addition to the agent's name and contact information, you may find a statement about the person's areas of specialization. A link to the realtor's web site will likely be provided. This gives the potential client an opportunity to get an idea of how the realtor markets his or her listed properties.

Interview Potential Real Estate Agents

Once you have found some potential real estate agents, it's a good idea to meet with each one separately and interview them. Buying or selling a home is likely the most expensive transaction the average person will ever be involved in and it's important to find the right real estate agent.

Start off the meeting by asking the agent to tell you a bit about his or her experience in the field. Then take some time to tell the agent what your plans are for selling your property or what you are looking for if you are a buyer.

Sellers will also want to find out exactly how the real estate agent will market their home. The interview stage is the time to find out what percentage the real estate agent charges as a commission.

Use these suggestions to help you find the right real estate agent to fit your needs. Do take the time you need to find someone who you will be able to work with effectively.