Working With An Agent Category

Some buyers purchase the exact kind of house they said they were looking for, in the neighborhood they preferred. Other buyers surprise us by falling in love with a house that is the complete opposite of what they originally wanted.

Real estate agents listen carefully when buyers describe their needs and preferences. We screen our current inventory of homes to come up with possible matches. Since there is almost always some compromise involved when selecting a home, we may suggest alternatives that might work for buyers.

If you like a specific neighborhood where there are no homes in your price range, we may suggest homes in other areas with similar amenities. If you want four bedrooms, and one of them will be used as a home office, we may look for a den or family room that could serve your needs. When you look at houses, remember that your feedback is important to us–and it won’t hurt our feelings.

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Occasionally homeowners who are trying to sell their home are surprised to learn that their title is encumbered by a lien. There are several types of liens; the most common are mechanic’s or contractor’s liens.

The lien (or debt) must be paid off in order to be cleared. If the owner prefers to challenge the lien, he can release it by posting a bond, pending adjudication. In some types of liens, a title search may disclose claims against the property by an ex-spouse or long-ago heir of a former owner. A simple “quitclaim” deed may be used in these cases. By signing the deed, the person involved signs over whatever rights he or she might have, without laying any claim to the property.

Most real estate transactions involve at least some minor unresolved issues on the part of either the buyer or the seller. This is where an experienced real estate agent can provide solutions to resolve the issues and conclude the sale.

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The stacks of papers that you have to sign in order to buy a house can leave you confused. The person conducting the closing will ask you to sign your name to countless documents that are filled with legal jargon. Some buyers just barely glance at each form and sign them without a lot of questions, while others find it very frustrating to try to read every form at the closing table.

You should read and understand the papers you sign. If you are getting a loan to buy the property, most of the paperwork will come from the mortgage company. In most cases, there is little time to read everything in advance because the forms arrive at the closing office shortly before closing is scheduled to begin. Most of the documents use standardized language, however, and you should be able to get copies of the documents ahead of time from the lender so that you can have your questions answered and be comfortable with the settlement process.

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As a homebuyer, you may have found the perfect new house for your growing family, but what if it is a little out of your price range? You might list your current home for more than it is worth and be lucky enough to find a qualified buyer who is willing to pay the price, but it is impossible to know in advance what your home will sell for.

If you want to sell your home quickly, have a frank and detailed conversation with your real estate agent to determine the best price for the house. Setting your price within 5% of the fair market value of your home greatly increases your chances of getting solid offers that will result in a relatively quick sale.

Don’t buy and sell so close to your target amount that you become anxious when the numbers don’t meet your expectations. There may be other approaches, such as adjustable rate mortgages or owner financing, to increase your buying power and get you into that new home. When you are selling one home and buying another, you will need more than good luck. You will need a highly professional and experienced real estate agent who can give you solid advice on how to make the transaction work for your particular requirements.

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Once your home is listed for sale, it may be difficult for you to step aside and let your agent take over. When prospective buyers arrive, you may want to stand by to point out the closet extenders, the hidden spice cabinet behind the kitchen door, the energy-saving storm windows or the updated copper plumbing. If you really want to help, however, you will leave the house whenever it is being shown!

We have found that the sales process does not really begin until buyers have begun to voice their objections about a property. Sometimes these concerns are serious enough to remove your house from consideration. Often, however, people voice objections as an automatic response when they really love the house and want to buy it. Real estate professionals are trained to know the difference.

If a seller is standing at the agent’s elbow, the buyer won’t be comfortable enough to allow the process of raising objections take place. If the buyer feels intimidated or suppressed, we could lose the sale. The best way to help is to give your real estate agent room to make the sale.

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When a home owner tries to sell “By Owner”, they commonly use two basic marketing techniques to advertise the property. They place a “For Sale” sign in the front yard and a classified ad in the local newspaper. When a seller lists their home with a professional real estate agent, however, a very sophisticated process is set in motion in order to facilitate the home sales transaction.

Real estate agents have a backlog of prospective buyers for the homes in their market. Through the Multiple Listing Service, the agent cooperates with other brokers in the area who will show your home to their prospective buyers. Professional real estate agents also combine direct mail, telephone calls, and specialized advertising techniques incorporating media such as the Internet, to reach the sales market. In this way we create activity on our listings that help them to sell quickly–and for the best price.

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Finding an experienced, reliable real estate agent whom you like and trust is the first step in locating your new home. Here is an approach to finding the right agent.

Call or stop by a real estate office and ask to speak with the manager. Describe the type of home you are looking for. The manager can refer you to an agent who knows that market very well. You might also use weekend “open houses” as opportunities to look for a real estate agent, as well as a new home. It is really a matter of chemistry! If you meet someone who is knowledgeable and with whom you feel comfortable, call that person!

Once you establish a strong working relationship with a real estate agent, your agent can show you a number of homes for sale, even if they are listed with other companies. Often the agent can show you a property as soon as it is placed on the market. Many of the best homes never even make it to the weekend classified section of the newspaper!

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If your home has been listed for a number of weeks and you have only seen it featured in one newspaper ad, you may start feeling anxious. Although your house is being shown regularly, you wonder if the agent is doing enough.

Home sellers often equate effective marketing with classified ads in the weekend Sunday real estate section. However, the most skilled real estate agents know the market well enough to be aware of where the prospective buyers for your home are likely to come from. They will look for the best ways to reach those people through direct mail, telephone contact or specialized ads in neighborhood publications. They will also work to get their colleagues excited about your house, especially agents who have many listings or sales in your neighborhood. And remember–it is important for you and your agent to communicate often so you will know exactly what is being done to sell your home.

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When you begin to search for a new home, you will probably encounter several real estate agents at open houses, through friends or from signs or advertisements. Each agent would like a commitment from you to work exclusively with him or her. Is this arrangement in your best interest or is it better to play the field?

There is a universal law that also pertains to real estate agents–you get back from a relationship what you put into it. If you are not convinced that one agent could possibly fill all your needs, you may be overlooking the positive aspects of a one-on-one relationship.

The first step is to find an agent whom you like and trust. Don’t be afraid to discuss your reluctance to work with one agent exclusively, but be open to other viewpoints. You may be pleasantly surprised by the open communication that such an admission will establish right from the beginning! Making a commitment to work exclusively with an agent is part of the formula for success in real estate.

The strongest accountability is in the marketplace. A good reputation and referrals from happy clients are essential to a real estate agent’s success!

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When you are working with a real estate agent to find a home, it is very important that you take the time to discuss the full range of your housing and financing options. Your real estate agent wants to understand your criteria and your expectations. Be very clear about the features you want in a home, describing what elements are essential to you and where you are willing to compromise.

When you start looking at homes, you may find that the available homes in your price range require much more of a financial commitment than you were prepared to make. Let your agent know if you are willing to consider alternative mortgage options to increase your buying power. Discuss the possibilities for buying in an area you had not previously considered. Would you consider a house with the same amenities in a different neighborhood, a “handyman special”, a smaller yard or fewer bedrooms? An open mind and honest communication are crucial ingredients as you work with your real estate agent to find the best possible home for your needs.

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