If you've never worked with a real estate agent or realtor in the past then you likely have some common questions that many people pose: Which agent is right for you, which real estate agency do you choose, how can you get the most out of working with a realtor, which questions should you be asking, etc.
By taking time to do some research before engaging a real estate agent you'll be able to answer many of your own questions - including how effective it is to work with a real estate agent when buying or selling your home.
If you're hunting to buy a house then what you're most interested in finding is a buyer's agent to help you locate the right property for your family.
In the past, an agent would typically represent the seller but now agents are working with buyers to pair them up with the right seller.
This gets the home sold faster and it costs the buyer nothing - the seller pays all the associated fees and commission.
The Real Estate Broker Some agents work through brokers which are independent organized specifically designed to get houses sold.
The agent will typically work with the broker on a contract basis.
Despite the contract the agent involved is working to represent their seller.
In cases like this where a broker is involved, the broker typically pays for and/or handles the home inspections, the financing and the necessary insurance.
The Benefit of a Buyer Agent When you're purchasing real estate, it's best to work with a buyer's agent because they will fight to get you the best possible deal as opposed to a sellers agent that is aiming to get the best price for the property.
Another benefit with a buyer agent is that they will generally assist you in every step of the process and will find you prices based on calculated market value - not the asking price of the seller.
Equally so, the buyer's agent will take your personal needs into account and will be more concerned with you getting the home you want as opposed to moving a specific piece of property.
These means you're far more likely to be matched to the right home.
You can expect complete transparency from this type of agent as they advise you on the best contacts within the available listings.
The Right Agent Buying a home is a complicated process so to make it as simple as possible you need to work with an agent that you can trust - someone that you don't mind spending a fair amount of time with as you work to get the perfect house for you and your family.
Take the time to interview multiple agents and ask the burning questions that will help you make a decision.
Always ask for references of past clients, and discuss the number of clients they typically represent.
Find out if they aid in selling and buying (which might generate a slight conflict of interest) and learn what types of property they're most familiar with - this will be important in helping you find the perfect home.