If you are looking for a new home, there are many real estate professionals out there who will want to work with you. How do you select the right real estate agent to be on your team?
Real Estate Agent, Realtor, or Broker?First, let’s clarify some of the terminology around real estate professionals, which can be confusing. A real estate agent is someone who acts as a guide or counselor in the process of buying or selling property. Real estate agents are required to have a license in the U.S. and are trained to handle the legal aspect of buying and selling property, including homes. Some agents specialize in either buying or selling, while other agents assist with both transactions. Broker
A broker is also licensed and must have been a real estate agent prior to becoming a broker.
Legally, a real estate agent must be managed by a broker, who takes legal responsibility for the agent’s actions. A broker may manage a firm of real estate agents, work as a sole proprietor, or work under another broker. Realtor
A Realtor is a real estate agent or broker who is part of the National Association of Realtors, or NAR. NAR members pay dues and are held to a certain standard of ethics.
Although all real estate agents must be licensed to ensure a certain level of expertise, that doesn’t mean all agents are right for you. It’s important to find an agent who is the right fit for your situation. Important QualitiesA real estate agent will be guiding you through what may be the most significant financial transaction of your life. Some important qualities to look for in an agent are responsiveness, knowledge of the local area and market, expertise and negotiation skills. Referrals are a good source of information on whether a potential real estate agent has these qualities. It’s a good idea to ask people you know about real estate agents they’ve worked with in the past. Another resource is the Better Business Bureau ratings. Looking at a potential agent’s listings is also a valuable way to see if they are a good fit for you. If most of their listings are different in location or type from what you are looking for, the chances are they aren’t the right agent for you. Questions to AskIt’s very important to meet an agent in person before you decide on whether you want to work with them. You can get a better sense of your compatibility with an agent in person. The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents has compiled a list of questions to ask a potential real estate agent.
About Mattias
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4 Comments
2/18/2020 11:29:46 am
You made a good point about making sure the agent is familiar with the area you plan to move to. My wife and I have been thinking of buying our first home, and we need to hire a real estate agent We will be sure to follow the questions and make sure we hire an experienced agent.
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Mattias Clymer
2/18/2020 11:59:28 am
Hi Ron, thanks for the comment. What area are you looking in? I’d be happy to chat with you about the process is more detail.
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Thanks for the article, I believe in the United States, real estate agents are required to have a license and are trained to handle the legal aspects of buying and selling property, including homes. Some agents specialize in either buying or selling, while others assist with both.
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5/12/2022 01:03:32 pm
You made an interesting point when you explained that it is a good idea to find a real estate agent that has references from other buyers. When you are looking at references, I think it would be a good idea to pay attention to how the real estate agent communicates. You would want to find a real estate agent that will stay in constant contact with you.
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