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Secrets to Getting the Best Agent
Choose Your Agent Before You Choose Your House
When it comes to choosing a real estate agent, the expression "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" should come to mind.It is hard to convince home buyers that they should put as much thought into choosing a real estate agent as choosing a home.It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a new home that they may not be aware of how the game is played.
Savvy consumers know that they have the right to interview agents to see how they will perform for them and to change agents if they are not satisfied.
The variety of services available, the different skill levels and training of practitioners, and the company policies of the firms they work for all play a role in how your needs will be met.
So often we hear someone say they met the agent at an Open House
or called the Listing Agent about a particular house and that is how
they found an agent. Since it is not uncommon for new agents or
part-timers to conduct Open Houses and do "up-time" answering the
phones at the real estate offices, you may end up with someone who
hasn't had much experience.
If you call Listing Agents and they specialize in listing houses, not
focusing on buyers' needs, you may end up with an agent who will do a
better job selling your house when the time comes rather than serving
your needs and wants now as a home buyer.
If you haven't already found a house from your first search, it is generally easy to change agents even if you signed a contract for buyer representation.
If you have found a particular house but want a different agent you may have to deal with something called "procuring cause" which offers guidelines regarding who should get credit for the sale and consequently, payment.That is why we say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure:choose your real estate agent before you choose your house.
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