Tag: realtor

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6 Questions to help you Find a Realtor

find a realtor

How To Find A Realtor

How to find a realtor. When you choose a realtor they are working for you. You are hiring them. Below are 6 questions to ask when interviewing your prospective realtor.

1. How Experienced Are You?

Many have asked how to find a realtor. This is the most important criteria. Don’t be the guinea pig for a new realtor. Keep looking until you find one with at least a year of experience, and multiple sales. Ask how many sales they have closed.

2. Do You Know This Type of Land?

Realtors tend to specialize in a specific type of property. Most realtors specialize in houses, and have a limited knowledge of land.

Ask if they are familiar with the type of property you are buying or selling. Ask to see their previous sales of similar property.

3. Do You Have Complaints?

When asked how to find a realtor I always emphasis asking a realtor this question. This is a tough question to ask but you have a right to know. If you don’t get a straight answer, or question the answers given, check with the State Real Estate Department, they keep a record of all complaints.

Complaints can be frivolous, so ask for details of any complaints. You should avoid a realtor with multiple “legitimate” complaints.

4. Does your Company Have Complaints?

The same goes for complaints against the real estate company. Most realtors are honest, as are most companies, but bad realtors tend to congregate. If the company has a history of complaints look for a different realtor, preferably at a different company.

5. Do You Represent Buyer Or Seller?

It is vital to know who the realtor is representing. If they listed the property, they are working for the seller, and have a legal obligation to get the highest price possible for the seller.

If they did not list the property, they are most likely working for the buyer, and have a legal obligation to get the lowest price possible. If you are a buyer they will probably show you multiple properties, starting with their own listings, meaning they are working for the seller. There is nothing wrong with this, just make sure you know and have an idea of property values.

6. Any Exclusive Agency Agreement?

Realtors love Exclusive Agency Agreements but be wary of signing them. You have no obligation to sign such an agreement. If you do sign an Exclusive Agency Agreement you are agreeing that this specific realtor will be the only one you work with in a given area.

The area could be a town, county or an entire state. Don’t sign one that covers more than the realtors area. Never sign one that covers an entire state. If you do and then want to look at property in another area with a different realtor, they will be unlikely to help you as the commission would be paid to the first realtor.

How to find a Realtor is not always easy but most realtors are honest and willing to work hard to help you find the right property. Since you are hiring them, you have a right to interview them.

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Real Estate Agent – 6 Reasons to Use One

6 Reason to use a Real Estate Agent

Buyers and Sellers should find an experienced, trustworthy Real Estate Agent and let them guide you through the land closing process in Utah.

A Realtor is your best friend during this process and will walk you through it from beginning to end. They will help you avoid many of the pitfalls and problems that arise when buying land.

Sellers are also usually better using a Real Estate Professional. There are many possible problems with a sale and the agent can work through most of these.

The Real Estate Agent May Be Free!

The Real Estate Agent is paid a commission from the sale of the property. The commission is paid by the seller so buyers use a realtor for free.

Buyers don’t have to use the realtor who listed and advertises the property. Choose the realtor you want, the payment will be worked out between the two realtors, and you will have the realtors services for free.

Will Help You Find The Right Property

A Real Estate Agent has access to the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) which lists all the property for sale by realtors in the area. Using the MLS the realtor can find properties that meet the buyers criteria and take you to those properties.

Many MLS’s are now listed on Realtor.com, where anyone can view them, but the realtor is an expert at using this information to find the land you are looking for. When selling the agents access to the MLS allows your property to be seen by many potential buyers.

Will Do the Work For You

The Real Estate Agent will do most of the work involved in finding and purchasing property, and finding buyers. A real estate purchase transaction is a complicated procedure which involves many details as well as many people. In most cases the transaction will be easier and much smoother if a realtor is involved in the process.

Will Help You Pay a Fair Price

One problem for buyers is paying too much for land. It is difficult to know what the land is really worth. Because Realtors deal with many parcels of land they know approximately what a specific parcel of land is worth.

In my line of work I have observed those who use a realtor usually buy land at a fair price. Keep in mind the realtor who listed a parcel of land has an obligation to sell for the highest price since they represent the seller.

Will Show You The Property

The Realtor knows the local area and will help you find the land you are looking for. Looking for land may involve driving down back roads without directions or street signs. The realtor will take you to the properties you want to look at, and the areas you want to look in.

Often a piece of land does not have an address or directions. Sometimes you will need to read legal descriptions and topographical maps. The realtor has experience in reading these and can take you right to the property, and show you the property boundaries.

Will Help You Avoid Many Problems

Using a Real Estate Agent will help you avoid many of the problems experienced in land transaction. Many of these problems don’t arise until after the purchase.

There are many possible problems, too many to mention, but include such things as: road issues, water rights, mineral rights, etc. Save yourself from many problems and use an experienced, trustworthy realtor.

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