Real Estate Agents

The most popular way for individuals who are looking to buy a home for sale or to sell their home is to employ the service of a real estate agent.  Real estate agents are experts at their field and they are often the best option, particularly if you are pressed for time or do not have the proper information to conduct a real estate search on your own.  However, it is important that you treat your real estate agent as a businessman rather than as your friend.  They have a job to do and it is your job to recognize that.  To protect your interests, it helps to learn some tips here about real estate agents.

First things first – it is important to recognize the different functions of real estate agents.  A real estate agent is an individual who assists either the homebuyer or home seller achieve their ends.  For example, if a real estate agent is representing the home seller than they are obliged to sell the home at the highest possible price under the best terms.  Conversely, a real estate agent that represents the home buyer is responsible for trying to purchase a home at the lowest possible price under the best terms.  This sounds easy enough, however it is imperative that you do your research when choosing a real estate agent to represent your needs.

As the real estate industry has grown, so has the number of real estate agents looklng to serve the needs of homebuyers.  Just like in other businesses, the vast majority of real estate agents are honest and will look out for your best interests but there are a few that are looking to scam you.  Make sure that you have a real estate agent that is dedicated to serving you the best that they can by asking them about their experience, whether they use real estate listings or Multiple Listing Service listings, if they are know of any For Sale by Owner properties, and for references from prior clients.  By being thorough and asking a lot of questions, you will ensure that you have found the right real estate agent for you.

For those homeowners who want the security of having a qualified real estate agent, then maybe you should try to find a realtor.  A realtor refers to a real estate agent who is part of the National Association of Realtors.  By belonging to such a prestigious group, you can expect quality service.

Additionally, it is important to understand the difference between a Residential real estate agent and a real estate broker.  A real estate broker works as a facilitator for real estate transactions by bringing together homesellers and homebuyers.  However, you can not expect a real estate broker to serve the functions of a real estate agent or a realtor.