When families begin the home-buying or selling process, they often call the realtor listed on the “FOR SALE” sign down the street, or search for “realtors near me” on the internet, going with the first realtor they find. This can be a setup for potential problems when the going gets tough. Here are my four tips to keep in mind as you begin the process:
1) Ask your friends
I find my best clients through recommendations, and your friends may have some great realtors that would be happy to help you. Ask around your office, in your church or community groups. You might find some great potential realtors from which to choose!
2) Look for an Accredited Buyers Representative
In my opinion, one of the biggest qualifiers of a potential agent should be an Accredited Buyers Representative. Look for an agent who has the the designation of ABR on their website and/or business card. ABR agents are specially trained to help you. Your agent should provide you loyalty, confidentiality and reasonable skill and care.
3) Interview
I often tell potential clients during an initial interview that they SHOULD interview multiple candidates before choosing a real estate agent. Buying a home is one of the single biggest investments someone is likely to make, you want to make sure you have the right person guiding you through the process. The right realtor will make it easy for you to trust them in finding your future home or living arrangement.
You want an agent that knows their worth and knows the value of your home. You want your agent to know what values support the price they charge you, just like you want them to know what values support the price they are selling your house for. Select an agent with the experience you need to sell your home and someone you are comfortable with.
4) Know the cost
Being aware of the cost before working with a realtor is important. In CNY, for residential listings, a 7% professional fee is typically charged, to be split with buyer & seller agents. Your Agent will also have to split a part of his share with his Broker for office overhead and other expenses. Legally, commissions are negotiable. You can pay more or less; it’s whatever you & your agent agree upon. However, I caution about working with agents that will take less than the customary commission percentage. The reason I say this is simple: If the agent cannot negotiate well enough to keep their own money, how will they successfully negotiate keeping your money?
NOTE: you pay for the commission earned by your agent and the buyer’s agent too.
I work very hard for my clients, investing in them and their properties by offering marketing, staging & a professional photography including video & aerial shots for the best digital presentation of the home. I also network with colleagues, clients & other agents to give wide exposure to your home. I would be happy to help walk you through the process of selecting a Real Estate Agent or answer any other questions you have!