There are home buyers in the market at present who think that listed prices are really just a starting point. When they find a home they like, their first inclination is to make an offer that is ten or even twenty thousand below that listed price. Making an offer is serious business and as a [...]
Buying a home is not an easy process. Simply finding the home you want to buy is difficult enough. Negotiating a sales price, then moving through the buying process all involves special care and an attention to detail. Miss one item and it could cost you thousands of dollars. For a buyer, having their own [...]
Home sellers often complain that their real estate agent is busy showing prospective buyers other homes and not theirs. This can be a common situation, however, it is wrong to blame your real estate agent for this situation. There are a number of possible reasons for this to occur. Some of these reasons include: Buyers [...]
If you’re selling a home, then you’re going to want a real estate agent that is competent and well respected. I overheard a young couple discussing real estate agents recently and I was struck by the criteria they were using to select an agent for their needs. Having a web site was high on their [...]
Dual agency, or dual representation, is when the same real estate broker, or sometimes the same agent, represents the buyer and the seller. This is generally not a good idea, for several reasons. First, money is always going to win out over other principles. If your broker is representing you, the buyer, and the seller [...]
There are many buyers who assume they can purchase a home without the services of a buyer’s real estate agent. It can be done with buyers dealing solely through the seller’s real estate agent. The problem with this approach is that the real estate agent has to represent the best interests of their client – [...]
There is a growing trend for home sellers to bypass real estate agents and listing their home for sale themselves. There is also a growing trend for buyers to look at do-it-yourself listing sites first when researching available properties. If you are looking to sell your home, which approach is the most effective? Real estate [...]
If you are selling your home, then I am sure you have done the rounds looking for a real estate agent who can sell your home. Here’s an important tip – listen to that agent once you engage them. Home sellers often place their home in the hands of an agent and then leave everything [...]
It doesn’t matter if you’re buying or selling real estate of any description, a good real estate agent is a must. At the end of the day, they can make a huge difference between a successful sale and a horrible nightmare, and no one wants the latter. You can compare a real estate agent to [...]
In the United States, there are more than 2 million people with real estate licenses. However, real estate is a tough business with a steep dropout rate, and the result is that only a small percentage of those with licenses actually become paid real estate agents. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) includes 1 million [...]
You could always sell your home on your own. For sale by owner is still very popular. However, as the expression goes, “20% of the agents do 80% of the business.” The question is how can you find a good real estate agent? The best agent for you doesn’t necessarily work at the largest brokerage, [...]
When searching for a house in Falls Church, VA, you can do it all on your own, but it is better to get professional real estate help. Real estate agents will have the low-down on the type of house you are looking for as well as the neighborhood you are searching in. But before you [...]
Whether you’re new to real estate, planning to become a real estate professional, or you’re experienced in the business, your ultimate long term success will depend on several factors. Success will come from getting new business, performing in a quality manner, and generating referrals. Performing in a quality manner includes making your customers happy, but [...]
Despite the bad economy and the poor condition of the real estate market – houses selling so cheaply and many foreclosures, etc. – the number of new applicants for real estate licensing is actually moving higher in some states. Interesting, as it’s a pretty challenging time to be in real estate or the mortgage business [...]
There is certainly a great deal of pressure on the real estate industry. It’s not just the changes brought on by the Internet. Consumers are becoming more demanding, and there is continual pressure to lower real estate commissions. Of course, the Internet is spurring many changes in how agents deliver their core services as well. [...]
Need some inspiration to help your real estate business? Here are some tips that can help. You’re running a business – treat it that way. Are you investing in training, new technology and innovation? If not, allocate between 9 percent and 15 percent of your gross commission income to these activities – it’s the best [...]
When it comes time to sell your home, finding a real estate agent can be a daunting task. Who do you choose and what’s the difference? Real estate transactions are complicated, and if you’re like most home buyers, all your assets are on the line. But all real estate agents aren’t created equal. Some realtors [...]
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there are over 2 million real estate agents working in the USA. With so much competition, sucess can’t be a shot in the dark. The first year drop out range estimated to be from 40% to 80% demonstrates that many real estate agents are not as successful [...]
If you have your real estate licence and are thinking about your next move, don’t ask yourself how you should begin, but how should you excel. The first thing you need to think about is connections. Build and maintain relationships with your clients because returning customers and referrals is where you will get the majority [...]
If you’re a buyer in the real estate market, particularly a first time buyer, then engaging a real estate agent is really a must do. In the majority of cases, engaging an agent is free, yet their assistance can help you save a lot of time and a lot of money. Buying real estate may [...]
Whether you are a seller or buyer, your real estate agent is there to act on your behalf and to help you achieve the best possible outcome. This doesn’t always mean the best possible price since there are other variables that need to be taken into consideration. These include how quickly it takes to sell [...]
There is far more to selling a home than just engaging a real estate agent. Agents can do a lot for you, but you have to do a lot of work yourself. We wrote earlier about what makes the perfect buyer – so what would make an ideal seller? I said it takes a lot [...]
This could be written tongue in cheek, but it’s not. A buyer or seller needs to have the best when it comes to real estate agents. As agents, we also have an idea of who makes the best buyers and sellers. If you check out the following traits, you will understand why. The Perfect Home [...]
This may sound a little strange, but for those looking to buy a new home, one of the most important steps is to let your real estate agent get to know you. I am not necessarily talking about inviting them out to dinner and opening your soul to them, but if a real estate agent [...]
In some states like Virginia, Maryland and D.C., dual agency is permitted so long as there is a full disclosure to all parties. For the real estate agent, it is a bonus since they then receive both the selling and buying commissions once the sale has been completed. For buyers and sellers, does it mean [...]
Good real estate agents are around for a long time. Over time, they learn a few little tricks of the trade that help them to stand out from the rest. One example of this is the way marketing materials are used for those wanting to sell their properties. We have often mentioned the use of [...]
What does the ideal real estate agent look like in 2010? What did they look like ten years ago? This is a hard question since everyone has different needs. However, there are four attributes that you could apply across the board to today’s real estate agents – if they meet all four attributes then you [...]
If you’re in the market looking to buy real estate then you should consider finding a real estate agent to represent you. There is no cost involved since the buyer’s real estate agent receives a share of the sales commission. Before taking on a buyer’s real estate agent, considering a few important factors. For example: [...]
You may wonder what real estate agents and taxi drivers have in common. Not a lot except for one feature of some real estate agents. The ‘taxi driver syndrome’ refers to the habit of some real estate agents who prefer to taxi prospective buyers around to properties. The problem is, rather than viewing properties that [...]
The real estate industry is no different than most other services – you will find poor real estate agents and you can find good real estate agents. The problem is, how do you find a good real estate agent? Perhaps these tips may help. Attend open houses and talk to the real estate agent present. [...]
