| One
common way people find homes in their
price range is by using a real estate
agent. The agent can look for homes
that meet your needs and financial
circumstances, and can help you narrow
your choices. Unless you decided to
hire a buyer’s agent (see adjoining
column), the seller pays the agent’s
fee, so there’s no cost for
you.
How to find a real estate
agent
Ask your family and friends for referrals.
You can also look at newspaper ads
for “open house” listings
and talk with the professionals showing
houses. You’ll want to choose
an agent who makes you feel comfortable,
can provide the knowledge and services
you need and most importantly will
be respectful of your housing budget.
What services are usually
offered by real estate agents?
Real estate agents can help you find
the kind of home you want, examine
comparable homes, and compare different
neighborhoods. When you’re ready
to make an offer on a home, an agent
will usually handle the negotiations
with the seller, including presenting
your bid. Your agent can also refer
you to a mortgage lender, although
you should still shop around. The
lender will give you a pre-approval
letter, handle pre-qualification,
and help you secure mortgage financing.
What questions should you
ask before choosing a real estate
professional?
• How long has the real estate
agent been in the real estate business?
• Is this person a full-time
agent?
• Is the real estate agent familiar
with your preferred community?
• How many homes has the real
estate agent sold in the past year?
• What’s the average sale
price of those homes?
• Does the real estate agent
specialize in homes in your price
range?
• Does the real estate agent
usually work with sellers or buyers?
• How many buyers is the real
estate agent presently working with?
• Is the real estate agent acting
as an exclusive “buyer’s
agent, meaning that they work exclusively
with people like you who are interested
in purchasing a home, as opposed to
property owners who are selling a
home.
• How many sellers is the real
estate agent presently working with?
• What are the real estate agent’s
strengths?
• Will the real estate agent
offer you 3 homebuyer references?
• For how long will the agent’s
contract with you be valid?
|
