If you plan to either buy or sell property, a real estate agent can be invaluable in their assistance. Real estate agents can provide many more useful services besides listing a property for sale in the MLS or driving potential buyers around to see houses for sale. If you are going to work with an agent, you must first understand that agents work for either the buyer or the seller but not both. Here are five tips on how to work with real estate agents.
Tip #1: Select the right kind of agent
Typical real estate agents work for the seller. They are responsible for preparing the listing for the home to be sold. They answer questions from buyers and can help in writing up the purchase and sale agreement. Other agents work as buyer agents. These agents represent the buyer. Not only do they show homes for sale to buyers but they can assist the buyer during the process. If you are selling a house, you want to use a seller's agent but you would use a buyer's agent if you
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Pictures of the house will be used extensively in the marketing material. Homeowners should be prepared to have the house clean so that the pictures present a positive impression of the house.
Tip #3: Selling price
Agents have access to sales data of houses. This information allows them to determine a reasonable selling price for a home. Many homeowners may think they knew the value of their home but they should listen to the information presented by the agent.
Tip #4: Buying price
The same sales data that can be used to determine a selling price can be used to determine a buying price for a home. A buyer's agent can tell you how long on average it takes for houses to sell in a neighborhood and what price they sell at compared to the original listing price. Use this information to not overpay for a home that you are considering buying.
Tip #5: Neighborhood