Hiring a Real Estate Agent*

Buying or selling a house is a thrilling experience. But connected to this is a stressing and overwhelming job. Unless you decide to go the 'for sale by owner' (fsbo), this task calls for a good real estate agent. But what do you need to know about hiring an effective real estate agent.

 

Verifying the real estate agent’s license is very helpful. It pays to be very cautious because this involves the property. This includes his state license in selling a property. Added to this is doing a short background check on the agent. Ask for the previous parcels of real estate he or she sold or acquired for a client. Knowing the trainings and seminars he’d attended would also give the client a grasp on the abilities of the agent he would be hiring.

Develop a good chemistry with your agent. With the agent knowing what the buyer or seller wants, they know where to start and what to consider. The agent should be able to tell his client the true worth of his property simply because it is really what it is worth, and not because he just wanted to lure the client into doing business with him.

In selling a house, the agent acts as the adviser. He gives the owner advice like the asking price of the property, and also acts as mediator between the buyer and the owner. And in buying a house, the agent acts as the researcher. He also does the legwork and sorting through which properties best suit the needs of his client.

The agent should also show an excellent knowledge about the area's real estate market. This works well for the seller because the agent knows the comparables in the area – houses like yours, and what they've sold for recently. And in the case of the buyer, the agent could negotiate better on their behalf.

It is also important for the agent to have plans. Find out what the agent plans are on how to sell the property. Or in a buyer’s case, see how he plans to help the client in acquiring a new property. Ask him what he plans on doing, like will he put ads for the property in print media or on TV (if the client is selling). If you're buying, will the real estate agent setup appointments and ferry you to the prospective properties?

Hiring a good agent is easy – if the client knows what to look for. Just remember these easy steps: ask for his or her credentials • establish a rapport • work with him or her in doing marketing plans for the property. Just do these things before you sign, and buying or selling your real estate will turn out to be a satisfying, relatively painless experience!