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A good real estate agent
knows your target neighborhoods. She can:
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- Find a house that meets
your needs
- Tell you what the house is
worth
- Recommend mortgage brokers and
home inspectors
- Coordinate the closing
- Help in negotiating an
acceptable price
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Agents work hard to make a living and they
don't get a dime until a home is sold:
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- They can't afford to spend
time with people who just love looking at homes.
- They need clients who are
ready and able to buy.
- Clients who know what they
want get the best service.
- Clients with
pre-approved mortgage loans get special attention.
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The best real estate agents:
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Specialize -
they restrict themselves by neighborhood and type of
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Are good
teachers: they explain the home-buying process step by
step. |
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Are
full time agents with great
professional contacts. |
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- Local mortgage lenders
- Property inspectors
- Real estate lawyers
- Title officers
- Home insurance agents
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| Finding a good agent:
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I found my first agent
by responding to a newspaper ad for a three bedroom house near
Emory university in Atlanta. The agent who placed the ad
became a friend but knew little about real
estate, ...this is the Russian Roulette method
of choosing an agent. |
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Get referrals (you
want to interview at least two good agents):
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- Anyone who has recently
purchased a house in your target neighborhoods. Ask why they
liked their agents.
- People in related fields: ask
your lawyer, tax accountant and insurance broker about real
estate agents they know.
- The agent who sold you your
current house: she might know a top agent in your
target neighborhood.
- Your church, synagogue or
mosque: ask members who have recently purchased a home.
- Your employer or fellow
employees who live in your target neighborhoods.
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Not enough referrals? |
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Questions to ask prospective agents
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- How long have you been a full
time agent ?
- Will you work with me
personally or will I have to work with an assistant or
associate ?
- Will you be representing
me,
the seller, or both ?
- How many homes have you sold
in my target neighborhoods ?
- How many clients are you
currently representing ?
- How familiar are you with
searching for homes on the Internet ?
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Select an agent who:
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- Is a successful full time
agent.
- Has sold homes in your target
neighborhoods.
- Is comfortable searching for
homes on the Internet.
- Communicates with you clearly
- Has a personality you enjoy
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"Playing the field" and using
several agents can be counter productive:
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- Agents exert minimum effort
when they know the commissions could easily go to another
agent.
- Agents work their butts off
when finding the right house means getting a paycheck.
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Top
of page |
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Copyright January 1, 2003
Audrie.com Corporation
PO Box 870454
Stone Mtn, GA 30087
All rights reserved
Fax: 770-469-2180
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