Question: How do you find a good agent?
Answer:
Getting a recommendation from a friend or work colleague
is an excellent way to find a good agent, whether you are
a buyer or a seller. Be sure to ask if they would use the
agent again.
You also can call the managers of reputable real estate firms
and ask them for recommendations of agents who have worked
in your neighborhood.
A good agent typically works full-time and has several years
of experience at minimum.
If you are a buyer, you don't usually pay for your agent's
services (in the form of a commission, or percentage of the
sales price of the home). All agents in a transaction usually
are paid by the seller from the sales proceeds. In many states,
this means that your agent legally is acting as a subagent
of the seller. But in some states, it's legal for an agent
to represent the buyers exclusively in the transaction and
be paid a commission by the sellers. You also can hire and
pay for your own agent, known as buyer's brokers, whose legal
obligation is exclusively to you.
If you are a seller, you should interview at least three
agents, all of whom should make a sales presentation including
a comparative market analysis of local home prices in your
area. The best choice isn't always the agent with the highest
asking price for your home. Be sure to evaluate all aspects
of the agent's marketing plan and how well you think you
can work with the individual.
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