Finding The Right Real Estate Agent

Buying and selling real estate can be a tedious andhomes in the same price range.
stressful time. At some point during your searchThe appraiser is more objective and compares
to buy or sell real estate, you will need theage, size, and cost-identifiable features in your
services of a real estate agent. Selecting an agenthome against other real estate properties, which
can be confusing.have been sold in the area.
There is a way to determine who is most likelyGood real estate agents use their experience and
to succeed in helping you get your mostexpertise to fine-tune the price by taking into
favourable price and terms when selling, or findingconsideration all of these variables.
the perfect house when buying.Most uninformed home buyers go about the
QUESTIONS TO ASK A REAL ESTATE AGENTprocess backwards. That is to say that they
Do you work full-time or part-time as a realspend several weeks, months and sometimes
estate agent?years, looking at real estate ads, driving
How do you market your properties?neighbourhoods and attending open houses looking
Do you have a full-time assistant to see that nofor the perfect homes for sale.
details are overlooked?Once they've found the house of their dreams,
How do buyers contact you?they place an offer to purchase it subject to
Are you marketing real estate for sale on theobtaining finance. Then they shop around for a
Internet?loan. More often than not, it is above their means
If I choose to auction off my property, are youand they lose the house because they can't
experienced in such transactions?afford it.
In what ways will you encourage other realCondition
estate agents to sell my home?New homes enjoy a marketing edge over resale
Do you have a system to follow-up with otherhomes because they are shiny and clean. Builders
agents so that we get valuable feedback afterenhance their appeal by offering model homes for
every showing?sale, clean, bright, and decorated in popular colours
How many properties have you sold within theand amenities for prospective buyers to examine
past 30 days? 90 days? 6 months?on display.
Do you have a list of references whom I mayFinance and Basics
check?These days, buyers of Australian real estates are
Are you available in the Internet so that my realwising up on the correct way of purchasing
estate property is exposed to millions of buyershomes.
instantly?The savvy buyer of today shops for finance first
What is my property worth?and only when they know exactly how much
What price do you recommend?they can afford will they inspect a real estate
How did you arrive at that price?property for sale that are only within their
Can you assist me in purchasing other homes foraffordable price range.
sale?There are two methods of doing this. The
Do you have a written marketing plan designed tostandard way is to call or meet with a loan agent,
sell my real estate property quickly and for topwhether its the bank or building society. Tell them
dollar?your financial and credit history, have the agent
Do you guarantee my satisfaction by allowing medo a check on your credit rating , after which the
to exit the selling agreement at any time if I amloan agent discusses with you the amount you
not happy?qualify for.
If the agent you are interviewing does notSometimes though the borrowers forget to
answer the above questions to your satisfaction,reveal late credit card payments, their new boat
find another agent who does. Hundreds ofpayment or car payment or they may even
reputable real estate agents are out there, withresort to inflating their income figures beyond
brilliant track records and willing hearts. Get yourreality.
contacts through word of mouth, or if you wantThe preferred method is to complete an
to be a little techie about it, consult real estateapplication, provide income, taxation and
classifieds.employment records. The loan agent runs a credit
Locationcheck, and then submits the file to a lender for
You have no control over the location of yourcountersigning and approval. Then they will provide
present home, and your home's location anda commitment for a loan to you.
setting influences its value to some degree. hasThis is also a powerful negotiating tool when
rental properties if you are between houses withpresenting an offer to purchase. Real estate
numerous listings in many areas.sellers prefer to accept an offer from a buyer
For instance, a home inside a quiet court or a newwho already has a loan commitment than from
subdivision may sell for more than the identicalthose without.
home on a busy street or close to a freeway orSo to wrap up, here's the correct order when
railway line.you set out getting a new real estate property:
Remote country areas typically sell for less thanGet a loan commitment first, and then find your
inner suburban and well-established homes. Evendream house. It' up to you if you're going to sell
streets in the same area may have differentyour house through a real estate agent or by
values too. Views, rivers, and trees, schools,yourself. Lots of free online classifieds are out
churches, and shopping centres all come into playthere where you can list your home for free. The
when homes' prices are determined.advantages of selling your house on your own is
Home Pricesthat you have full control of all aspects and
Your home must be priced within the appropriatedetails, and you get to keep the profit all to
range. You must actually sell your property twice:yourself because you don't have to for
first to the purchaser and also to the propertycommission.
appraiser. The buyer is more subjective andBut if you don't want to spend the time and
compares the amenities of your home to thoseeffort in putting up your homes for sale, then a
of the home they live in at present and otherreal estate agent will gladly do the job for you!