A good real estate agent can make a marginal deal a good deal. Part time agents can make a possible good deal into a non deal. I will discuss some reasons to work with “good” real estate agents.
1) They Know the Neighborhood
Good agents are very knowledge about their neighborhoods and the market conditions that effect buying and selling. And if they don’t know something, they know where to find the information within their local contacts.
They can compile the all important “comparable sales” of houses in that immediate area and hand these facts to you so you can make a more informed decision.
2) Use Your Agent as a “Buffer” When Negotiating
Top producing agents negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction. Agents also take the awkwardness and uneasy feeling away when they make that offer that is way below what a seller is asking. Sometimes sellers get offended when you stand there and offer $30,000 less than they are asking. But usually that is because they don’t fully understand why the offer is at a reduced number. But a real estate agent can make the offer and explain why their client has come up with that figure.
3) They Have the Education & Experience to Guide You.
I believe you should be more knowledgeable about investing in quick turning houses than your real estate agent, and leave the entire fact finding about the neighborhood, buyers coming in, comparable sales, and even decorating to them. But I do like that more real estate agents are getting the education and experience working with investors. These are the ones you should be seeking. Why not hire a person with as much education and experience as you? Working with this type of agents helps give us more time for other things in our lives as well.
4) They Can Give You the Latest Market Conditions
Real estate agents know the market conditions, along with what buyers want in a house in that area which will govern your selling or buying process. They know what buyers are looking for in homes. They can be very helpful in telling you if you add a half bathroom, you chances of selling quicker will increase. Or they may say everyone in this area wants finished basements, or finish storage areas in the walk up attic, or everyone is looking for wood floors, tile, granite kitchen tops etc. Hey, give them what they want if it’s in the budget.
5) Tap into Their Networking Team
Real estate agents network with other professionals, many of whom provide services that you will need to buy or sell. Due to legal liability, some agents will hesitate to recommend a certain individual or company over another, but they do know which vendors have a reputation for efficiency, competency and competitive pricing. Agents can, however, give you a list of references with whom they have worked and provide background information to help you make a wise selection. This includes handymen, movers, cleanout companies, lawyers, insurance companies, and contractors.
6) Contracts and Paperwork
Real estate agents are trained to fill out all the paper work including the most feared by beginning investors which is the contract. Here again, they make sure everyone signs, and gets all the pertinent information to hand over to your attorney.
So, my suggestion? Find and work with “knowledgeable real estate agents!”
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Glen G.
TriState Mixer -
New Jersey Real Estate |
New York Real Estate |
Pennsylvania Real Estate