4 Things To Consider When Hiring an Agent

Real estate agents are the backbone of any housing market. They help people buy and sell homes, educate their clients about current conditions in a given area (such as mortgage lending), guide them through each step of this process while making sure that everything goes smoothly from start to finish; then they can refer you or others who may be interested on what else needs done after closing!

Realtors are licensed agents who have signed onto the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics and Standards. All real estate professionals must be in compliance with state laws, which can vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. There is no such thing as an "independent" or non-affiliated agent - all brokers/reporters need either a broker license (for those working on commission) or salesperson certificate if they're self employed.

When you're looking for a real estate agent, it's important that they represent your best interests and not just those of one side in the transaction. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to finding an excellent person who can help with this task!

Have you ever considered the fact that some real estate commissions are actually negotiable? A typical commission is 5% or 6%. As an agent looking for work in this competitive industry though, try not miss out on any opportunities by doing your research first!

 Here are some things to think about when choosing an agent to help you sell a home.

• What are the comparable listings in my area? An agent should provide a comparative market analysis, showing homes similar to yours that were sold in the last six months.
• What do you think my home is worth and why? An agent who recommends the highest price isn't always the best choice. Choose an agent who backs up the recommendation with market knowledge.
• What should I do to improve my home? You may need to fix things up to sell your home, depending on the local real estate market. Listen for solid reasoning about what your home needs and the return on investment for making those improvements.
• How will you market my home? Agents will likely suggest putting your home on the Multiple Listing Service and real estate websites, such as Zillow. Get details about other promotional tools the agent will use, such as photos, video tours and advertising. The level of marketing required to sell a home depends on the market. Less marketing may be required when there are more buyers than homes for sale.