Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Selecting a Real Estate Agent

Selecting a real estate agent to represent you in a home purchase or sale can be one of the most important decisions you make. There are obvious considerations, such as choosing a reputable agent with experience in the area where you want to buy or sell. Here are a few not-so-obvious points to keep in mind.

One of the biggest complaints made about real estate agents is that they don't communicate often enough. Make sure before you commit to working with an agent that you know how often you can expect updates. If you prefer communicating by e-mail, find an agent who will accommodate you. If you find that your agent is not communicating often enough, let your agent know what you need.

Before cementing your relationship, find out who will be working with you. Some buyers and sellers are disappointed when they discover that they won't be working with the agent they selected. Instead, they might be working with an assistant. Many top agents use assistants to help them do their jobs. There's nothing wrong with that. Just make sure that you know what to expect ahead of time. If you don't want to be handed over to an assistant, let your agent know.

When you commit to working with an agent, it's reasonable to expect that your agent will attend to your real estate needs.

Find out in advance if your agent is planning a lengthy vacation in the near future. If so, you can ask to meet the agent who will be filling in before your agent leaves town.



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