Real Estate Agents, what are they all about anyway?

Real Estate Agents;  what are they all about anyway?  And how does the whole thing work with them? Today, we will unravel the mystery, and clear up some common misconceptions.

Real Estate Agents are not all the same.  They all have different levels of experience.   If you are considering buying or selling a home, it is advisable to spend some time choosing a realtor.  It is important that they have strength in strategizing, negotiating, marketing and networking. Not to mention respect and knowledge of the laws rules and regulations that governs all real estate transactions.  Plus, Realtors have a code of ethics that they are mandated to do business by from the Bureau of Real Estate.   (Sadly, there are inexperienced and unscrupulous agents out there, so beware)

Your agent will be your advocate, and you will be spending a lot of time together.  Be sure to choose someone you communicate well with, and you can feel you can trust.  It is an important relationship.

Say you are driving down the street and notice a sign in front of a house you are interested in with an   agents name and phone number.  Do you have to use that realtor if you want to buy that house?  No.  You may use any realtor of your choosing.    Same with an open house you are wandering through.  Do you have to use the realtor that is selling that house?  No again. What if you see a property on the internet, and there are is a realtor listed to call – is that what you have to do?  Nope.  Make a note of the address of the property, and if you have a realtor you are working with, do them the courtesy of calling them first. Homes that come on the market for sale (listings) are shared by all agents.  These homes are all put in a database called the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  All licensed real estate agents have access to the information about these listings.   Therefore, if you have an agent that you work with, they will be able to gather information for you.

If you have been working with a realtor, stay with that realtor. (Unless you have irreconcilable differences)   If this agent has been spending their time and gas showing you homes, and doing research to help you, respect the time and effort that agent has spent.   You are both working towards a goal, be it buying or selling.

Real estate is a sales based business.  Agents are in the business to make a living and help others.  They make a living that is commission based.  They have house payments, car payments, families, and regular expenses just like everyone else does.  Occasionally, a client will ask for part of an agent’s commission in exchange for working with them for selling a home.  This is about the biggest insult you can give a realtor.  Most agents would prefer not being asked to give away part of their paycheck, just like anyone else would.

In closing, remember that Realtors are people too.  They don’t just drive people around and open doors.  There is a great deal of work involved in buying or selling a house for a client.  Feel welcome to call or email us.  We have the experience and the morals you are looking for in an agent!