Real estate agents are professionals instrumental in connecting the buyer with the seller.
Additionally, many realtors manage rentals wherein they introduce tenants to landlords and oversee the maintenance of the house on behalf of the landlords.
In most areas realtors are required to be highly educated, licensed and so are regulated by way of a governing body.
Some real estate agents are also Realtors blossoms by the park.
To use the title Realtor, a real estate agent must be a member of the National Association of Realtors which in addition to a amount of other requirements, requires Realtors to stick to a strict code of ethics and offers Realtors additional educational and designation opportunities.
. Though not required by rule or law, it might be a wise decision to seek the services of an agent.
What Do They Do….
Real estate agents gather several interested parties, perform those steps essential to successfully conclude a transaction and charge a commission because of their services.
For sales transactions, they charge commission to the seller while for rentals, commission is normally charged the landlord.
Real estate agents generally calculate their fee as a percentage of the selling price (regarding a sale) and as portion of the rent for rental units.
How Do They TAKE ACTION…
People who desire to sell or rent their property leave details of their house with the true estate agent.
Alongside all property details the true estate agent will typically have keys to the house to facilitate showings.
Another interested party (i.e. the buyer/tenant), gets usage of this information and to the property by contacting the true estate agent.
That’s how the agent becomes a hub of information.
Contrary to some common misconceptions, real estate agents typically represent the seller or the customer but rarely both.
Why Should I Use One…
First and foremost, to safeguard yourself. Real estate transactions are highly regulated, highly paper (document) intensive transactions.
The real estate agent possesses a detailed knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, disclosures and documentation essential to successfully complete the transaction to the satisfaction of the customer, the seller and the law.
Because realtors are most acquainted with local market conditions, it really is wise and makes sense to seek the advice of one to obtain an idea of the current trends and pricing for properties within that market.
A good agent will know the costs (or price range) of varied properties of different kinds and at various locations within the spot.
Because of the property agent’s knowledge and expertise, property sellers often get yourself a few thousand dollars more because of their property.
Many home seekers, including seasoned real estate investors use real estate agents to locate the best real estate bargains in easy and simple and quickest manner.
Furthermore, the best agents analyze the wants and needs of a house buyer/tenant and provide valuable input regarding the kinds of properties open to them within their budget. Therefore, a good agent will not just present a list of available properties to the buyer/tenant but will actually discuss their needs and make suggestions.
The good agent, working in this fashion benefits in at the very least two ways…
First and most obviously, once the real estate agent has the ability to successfully complete the transaction the commission is earned and the true estate agent is paid…
and secondly, if they make the customer/client happy they earn an excellent reputation and frequently receive referrals (hence more business).
Worth Noting…
It is worth noting that there surely is a myth going swimming that real estate agents only work on behalf of owner, buyer beware.
This is simply not written in stone nor is it always the case. Realtors are, in most regions, highly regulated.
With few exceptions, realtors work either for the seller (as may be the case with many listing agents) or for the customer (as is the case for a buyer’s agent).
Additionally, some areas allow for dual agency where an agent can work for both the seller and the customer or as a transaction broker where in fact the agent represents the transaction itself and neither owner nor buyer individually.
However, in the case of dual agency/transaction brokerage, note that rule, regulation (law) and ethics do not permit the agent to act in favor of either party while in detriment to the other.
In case you are unsure of the partnership between you and your agent, usually do not hesitate to ask.