HOW TO FIND A REALTOR®?

First start asking. Friends, relatives, co-workers, or neighbors who have recently purchased a home can give you a an agent’s name. Sometimes an agent you contact will refer you to another one who works more closely with buyers and sellers in your neighborhood.interview at least three three potential agents and ask questions about their community knowledge, professional experience, and commitment – some agents work full time;others only work at nights and on the weekends.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A GOOD REALTOR®?

Competency, efficiency, and ethics. Agents plan showing routes carefully and have pre-inspected most properties. They have a thorough knowledge of financing options, are up on the latest housing trends, and share data on the local housing market and home sales with prospective buyers. Good agents also adhere to a strict code of ethics. They avoid high-pressure sales tactics, refrain from showing properties that do not fit your needs or goals, and alert you to problems about the condition of the property. In addition, they show respect for other agents and real estate firms by not “bad mouthing” them.

IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD NOT TELL MY AGENT?

Most definitely! Never reveal the top dollar you are willing to pay for a home. It will severely undercut your chance to negotiate the home price with the seller. While an agent may spend a lot of time showing you homes and sharing information, the reality is that she works for the seller, who ultimately pays each and every agent involved in helping to complete the home sale. The seller pays the agents in the form of a commission, a percentage of the proceeds from the home sale. The exception is hiring your own real estate professional, now commonly known as a buyer’s agent or a buyer’s broker.

CAN I USE AN AGENT TO PURCHASE A NEWLY BUILT HOME?

Yes. In fact, some builders pay agents to find prospective buyers. But you also can use a buyer’s agent to help negotiate the price and upgrades on a new home. An agent can be particularly valuable directing you to newly built developments that match your needs, as well as helping you select reputable builders who are financially sound and respond promptly to buyers’ concerns. Builders normally require an agent to be present on your first visit to the site. This is a sensible procedure that allows the agent to be paid a commission should you decide to buy. If you find a development on your own, make a first visit without the agent, and later make a purchase with the help of an agent, the builder may refuse to pay the commission.