When shopping for a Realtor, what should you be looking for? All real estate agents believe that their resume is the best of the best, and that everyone loves and appreciates them for who they are. Clients all want their agent to have several qualities.
You're about to undertake the most important transaction in your life, and you’re putting your trust, and money in their hands to guide you throughout the entire process. They cannot let you down as professionals.
So, what qualities must a great Realtor possess as a professional?
Attention to detail.
Selling a home in these interesting economic times is somewhat more of a challenge from "back in the day". In order to sell a property today, an agent must be totally professional. That means proactive communications with all parties involved. They must sure to speak to the home owner or buyer bi-weekly. Communicating with the loan officer handling the mortgage loan for the buyer is critical. Too many deals have been lost by not speaking to the bank and ironing out any issues that may pop up.
For example, I suggest allowing the mortgage banker for the buyer run the homeowner’s title policy well in advance of closing. This ensures that something is not on the title that will need to be cured. You don't want some old lien, or a mistake popping up 2 days before closing. If you’re selling a home you should get an inspection done, and perhaps even your own appraisal. Houses sell twice, once when the buyer and seller agree to the price, and again when the mortgage bank’s underwriter agrees what that market value should be. An inspection report will tell you what the physical problems are, and what should be corrected before the buyer does his inspection. A $ 3.00 faulty outlet becomes a $ 400 reduction in an offer. It’s worth the price. Getting an appraisal is another smart investment, and it will tell you and the agent whether your price is in line with market.
Finally the buyer’s agent should request a computerized DU/LP (desktop underwriting) approval from the lender on behalf of the buyer/borrower in advance. This ensures that the buyer has the financial means to purchase the home and that his "pre-approval' is actually real, and not some useless piece of paper saying "pre approved!”
Expertise
The Realtor must be very familiar with the property's area. This includes school district information, student enrollment dates, taxing authority details, shopping and transportation information. The Realtor should know what is happening with interest rates, upcoming tax adjustments and due dates for payment. It won't hurt to have an awareness of the local political scene either. Realtors are hired as professionals. As such, they have a responsibility to guide their clients throughout the process. In other words, they must be willing to tell you the truth at all times. Allowing an owner to price a property at the high end of a market, when in fact the Realtor know that the house will not get any traffic or offers, is wrong. They owe it to them to give them their professional guidance, backed up with strong study and information. The goal must be to sell the home and give the owners a chance at their new life, not get a listing just for the agent to feel good. Listing a property does not put any money in the owner's pocket nor does it earn any income to the Realtor. Only selling it does that.
Professional Credentials
Realtors must be licensed by the state they work in either as an agent/ salesperson or as a broker. Be sure to check that all licensing requirements have been completed by their agent. Education is very important and ongoing also.
Be a source of positive information
Sellers, buyers all need their Realtor to be the go-to person to tell them what is happening in the market. Where do most people get their information from? The daily news, that’s where. And what does the mainstream media, blogosphere, and most websites say about the real estate market. ITS DOWN 27%, THE SKY IS FALLING, RUN FOR THE HILLS, PRICES ARE HEADING TO HADES. Geez, if I was a person shopping for a home, or a seller trying to decide what to do, the one person you MUST count on for great advice should the Realtor. He or she must be the conduit of what good is happening in the world of real estate, interest rates, and job stats, all of it. If their Realtor is a negative person, get rid of him and find someone to work with that is a positive beacon for the industry.
If you are buying or selling a home do not hesitate to speak to Anthony Fontana at LiveSpot Realty Group
Anthony can be reached at 917-331-9686 or 631-470-1251
You're about to undertake the most important transaction in your life, and you’re putting your trust, and money in their hands to guide you throughout the entire process. They cannot let you down as professionals.
So, what qualities must a great Realtor possess as a professional?
Attention to detail.
Selling a home in these interesting economic times is somewhat more of a challenge from "back in the day". In order to sell a property today, an agent must be totally professional. That means proactive communications with all parties involved. They must sure to speak to the home owner or buyer bi-weekly. Communicating with the loan officer handling the mortgage loan for the buyer is critical. Too many deals have been lost by not speaking to the bank and ironing out any issues that may pop up.
For example, I suggest allowing the mortgage banker for the buyer run the homeowner’s title policy well in advance of closing. This ensures that something is not on the title that will need to be cured. You don't want some old lien, or a mistake popping up 2 days before closing. If you’re selling a home you should get an inspection done, and perhaps even your own appraisal. Houses sell twice, once when the buyer and seller agree to the price, and again when the mortgage bank’s underwriter agrees what that market value should be. An inspection report will tell you what the physical problems are, and what should be corrected before the buyer does his inspection. A $ 3.00 faulty outlet becomes a $ 400 reduction in an offer. It’s worth the price. Getting an appraisal is another smart investment, and it will tell you and the agent whether your price is in line with market.
Finally the buyer’s agent should request a computerized DU/LP (desktop underwriting) approval from the lender on behalf of the buyer/borrower in advance. This ensures that the buyer has the financial means to purchase the home and that his "pre-approval' is actually real, and not some useless piece of paper saying "pre approved!”
Expertise
The Realtor must be very familiar with the property's area. This includes school district information, student enrollment dates, taxing authority details, shopping and transportation information. The Realtor should know what is happening with interest rates, upcoming tax adjustments and due dates for payment. It won't hurt to have an awareness of the local political scene either. Realtors are hired as professionals. As such, they have a responsibility to guide their clients throughout the process. In other words, they must be willing to tell you the truth at all times. Allowing an owner to price a property at the high end of a market, when in fact the Realtor know that the house will not get any traffic or offers, is wrong. They owe it to them to give them their professional guidance, backed up with strong study and information. The goal must be to sell the home and give the owners a chance at their new life, not get a listing just for the agent to feel good. Listing a property does not put any money in the owner's pocket nor does it earn any income to the Realtor. Only selling it does that.
Professional Credentials
Realtors must be licensed by the state they work in either as an agent/ salesperson or as a broker. Be sure to check that all licensing requirements have been completed by their agent. Education is very important and ongoing also.
Be a source of positive information
Sellers, buyers all need their Realtor to be the go-to person to tell them what is happening in the market. Where do most people get their information from? The daily news, that’s where. And what does the mainstream media, blogosphere, and most websites say about the real estate market. ITS DOWN 27%, THE SKY IS FALLING, RUN FOR THE HILLS, PRICES ARE HEADING TO HADES. Geez, if I was a person shopping for a home, or a seller trying to decide what to do, the one person you MUST count on for great advice should the Realtor. He or she must be the conduit of what good is happening in the world of real estate, interest rates, and job stats, all of it. If their Realtor is a negative person, get rid of him and find someone to work with that is a positive beacon for the industry.
If you are buying or selling a home do not hesitate to speak to Anthony Fontana at LiveSpot Realty Group
Anthony can be reached at 917-331-9686 or 631-470-1251
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