If you
have read the article Why Appoint a Buying Agent, then you already understand
why the first step in finding your dream home is to select and appoint a
professional agent.
Working
with a buyer agent is worth consideration since he or she is legally
responsible for representing the buyer's interest in a real estate transaction
and obviously, the more closely you work with one agent, the better your needs
are understood, and the more effectively you can be served.
Not all
real estate agents are the same and you need to thoughtfully consider why one
agent and not another. Below are some issues to consider before making that
decision;
Are they
paid up members of their local Institute
of Estate Agents and can
they provide evidence of this?
Are they
registered with the Estate Agents Affairs Board and can they provide evidence of this
too.
Are they
linked to a reputable firm whose name speaks for itself. Is this agency
registered with the Estate Agents Board? The old adage that success breeds
success holds very true in this industry. For more information PROPERTY NETWORK go here.
Do they
have some track record of accomplishment and achievement in the field?
Are they
willing to freely provide references from previous clients – are these
references fairly recent.
Are they
full time professionals or will they look to your needs part time
Are they
concerned about your needs as a buyer or only in making commission
Does their
office or company have a record of accomplishment – good teams are important
Does the agency
have their own dedicated website for marketing and providing service to clients
Do they
use other electronic media forums such as Facebook, Twitter etc for marketing
and finding buyers and available stock.
Are they
prepared to freely share professional information and resources by means of a
Blog, Newsletters and other means
Have they
established a good network – are they well connected in the real estate
industry
Are they
prepared to listen to you and give proper and professional advice
Appointing
the right agent is crucial to the process of buying your new home. Or even not
buying. We have on numerous occasions advised buyers to rather wait – sometimes
for financial reasons so they can first achieve stability or even because the
houses available at the time were just not what they were looking for or priced
correctly.
Although
this meant not making commissions it was the right advice for the intending
buyer and a measure of our true integrity and approach to client service. Check out why a Property Network agent is different here
It is this
provision of proper advice and professional service that can make all the
difference to a major decision in your life.
Also
consider the following ;
Moving out
of town or even overseas? Then using an agent from Property Network ensures you have
access to an international network that can take care of your needs from both
ends with global accountability. This site will provide you with further information if you fall into that category
Ask the
agent how often you should expect to hear from him or her. Know how and when
you will communicate to avoid unrealistic expectations.
Pay
attention to the agent's listening skills. Does he or she cut you off before
you've finished a sentence? There's nothing worse than looking at houses you
have no interest in, because the real estate agent has not listened carefully to
your needs.
Ask the
agent what his or her fee structure is. Does he or she require a percentage of
the sales price or work for a flat fee? Will the agent be paid another way?
Most times however, the seller will be paying the commission
If you are
unsatisfied with a prospective agent's plans or personality, thank him or her for taking
the time to meet with you and repeat the process with another real estate
agent. It can be time-consuming, but it's worthwhile. If you are ready to save time then go ahead and appoint an agent to do your search work for you. Finally,
remember your real estate agent is an authority you hire to help you make the
right decisions, but you have the final word. Your residence is likely to be
the biggest single investment you'll ever make. Buy and sell wisely.