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| Buying a home can be a demanding process. Selecting the right Realtor for you and your family
can be just as difficult. The following questions should help you gather the information you need
to make an informed decision. |
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Are you a local Realtor?
- Finding a local Realtor who knows the area you are
interested in purchasing a home in can give home buyers an extra edge
in their home search.
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Are you a full-time or part-time Realtor?
- Finding a full-time Real Estate Agent can give you piece of mind in knowing that your
Realtor is working for you full-time and will be able focus on finding you the right home.
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Do you have a website? Will it allow me to search for properties online?
- More and more homebuyers are taking their search for
homes online. Selecting a Realtor who has a personal website with
an online property search gives today’s homebuyers the opportunity to
search for homes from the privacy of their home or office, 24 hours a
day. It is a good idea to preview any agent's website to ensure they
keep it current and offer a real time property search.
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Who pays your commission? Are there other associated fees?
- Today in many areas the seller is responsible for covering
all of the Realtor commissions through the listing broker. Make
sure you understand who is paying this cost in your area.
Some Realtors may charge their clients fees for minimal
services, administrative duties or other special services. Make sure you ask for an estimate of
all buyer costs from your prospective agent.
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Do you have past clients who can provide a solid reference for you?
- When selecting a Realtor to help in your home search you may find it beneficial to
speak with several of the agent's past clients. This can provide
valuable insight on the specific agent's approach to better determine
if he or she would be the right fit to help you and your family find the right home.
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What type of communication can I expect from you throughout the buying process?
- Many homebuyers complain that their Real Estate Agent is hard to get a hold of.
You should ask your potential agent upfront how they plan to keep you informed throughout
the buying process. Make sure you select a Realtor who is willing to provide personalized
service and can deliver on it. It's a good idea to look for an agent who has both office and cell
phones, checks his or her voicemail/email regularly and, most importantly, promptly returns all messages.
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