Real Estate Agent or Broker
Real estate experts go by a few different names, although the
distinction shouldn't matter for you as a first time home buyer.
Important is to make certain the broker or agent you chouse is a
licensed real estate professional. All real estate brokers or
agents are licensed and regulated by each state.
To the average home buyer or seller, the difference isn't much.
To become a real estate agent, an individual must complete the
required number of classes and pass the agent's exam. To become
a broker the agent must than take additional classes, have a
specified amount of experience in the field (normally 1 year),
and pass another exam. Having a real estate broker license
confers certain privileges, including the right to open, run,
and own a real estate office, and to work independently without
an office. A real estate agent must work for a broker, who is
responsible for that agent's actions.
Work With a Broker Instead of an Agent? Not necessary! Although
it would seem that a broker may have more experience or be more
knowledgeable than an agent, it is not always the case. A lot of
excellent real estates agents have choose not to become brokers
because they have no intention of ever running their own office.
The experience and knowledge of a real estate agent who has been
working in an area for ten years will far surpass that of a
brand new broker.
Realtors vs. Non-Realtors A realtor is a broker or agent who
belongs to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and
subscribes to that organization's code of ethics and conduct.
There are about 2 million real estates agents and brokers in the
US, of which around 800,000 belong to the NAR. Is it better to
work with a realtor than a broker or agent who is not a realtor?
Not necessarily, because when you look for an agent or broker
you must look for the best, most knowledgeable, and most
reliable agent or broker. Don't worry about titles,
designations, and how many diplomas he or she has. Finding a
Real Estate Agent or Broker Finding a broker or agent who meets
your needs and is compatible with your personality can be
tougher than it sounds. Buyers who have the worst experiences
are often those who just walk into or call a neighborhood shop
and ask for anyone at random.
But how can you find a good agent or broker? Here are three
valuable suggestions: a. Open your local newspaper to the real
estate section and see who runs the biggest ads, week in and
week out b. You can ask your parents, relatives, or friends for
referrals. But before taking any decision, make sure they had a
great experience with the agent they used c. Call your local
board of realtors and ask for the names of agents who sold the
most property last year.
Choosing the Right Agent or Broker In addition to looking for an
experienced agent, try to find one who suits your personality.
Working with a real estate is a little like a short-term
marriage. Even in the best of circumstances, the pressure will
mount and you may not always like what's happening, or how a
situation is being handled, or how a situation is being handled.
You'll be in close proximity for an undetermined amount of time
- at least 3 to 6 months from start to closing--so it's a good
idea to find someone with whom you're compatible. To ensure
you're working with the right person, take on the responsibility
of interviewing several agents or brokers before you take your
final decision. If you simply take a friend's or relative's
suggestion, you may find yourself working with the wrong agent
or broker, looking in the wrong neighborhoods, and touring homes
that are too expensive.
Here are the most important sixteen questions you should ask the
agent or broker when you're making the interview: 1. How many
years have you been in the real estate business? 2. How many
years have you been with this company? 3. How many residential
real estate transactions have you complete in each of the past
three years? 4. What percentage of your home business is with
home buyers? 5. How old are your clients in average? Do they
have children? 6. What was the price range of the homes you
helped people buy and sell last year? 7. What was the average
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guaranteed. 8. Are you an exclusive buyer broker? Do you ask
home buyers to sign an exclusivity contract? 9. Do you charge an
up-front fee that is later applied to the commission? 10. What
are the primary neighborhoods or communities in which you work?
11. How familiar are you with the schools, crime statistics, and
demographics of the various neighborhoods. 12. What style of
home do you most frequently work with? 13. Are you a smoker or
nonsmoker? (if this is important for you) 14. How many home
buyers or sellers do you work with at a given time? 15. How do I
reach you? Can I e-mail you? Or phone you at home? 16. Do you
work with an assistant? Will I be working with an assistant or
with you?
You can find out a lot about agents just by the way they answer
these questions. If they bristle and seem reluctant to share
information with you, that may be a sign of things to come. If
they're open and friendly, and you develop a connection on the
phone, you may have found someone with whom you'll enjoy
working.