The Benefits of A Real Estate Agent 101

Buying and selling property is not as easy as you may think. There are many things that you have to consider when purchasing a home, or when putting a home up for sale. That is why there are real estate professionals out there armed with the skills and knowledge needed to make this process easier. Read below to see how a real estate agent can help you in your real estate transaction.

The Benefits of a Sellers Agent

When you list your property through a real estate company, the individual with whom you list is known as the sellers agent, or listing agent. The very first thing that a listing agent has to offer a seller is a comparative market analysis, or, a CMA. A CMA compares your property to other real estate property listings, preferably ones that have sold. The goal of the agent is to compare apples to apples. In other words, they compare MLS listings (a.k.a the multiple listing service) with similar square footage, whether or not the property has a garage, the types of flooring the home has etc. In the end of this analysis, the agent provides you with a figure for which he or she feels that your property will sell.

Once you have chosen a sellers agent, you enter an agreement with them, often called an exclusive right to list agreement. This simply creates a legal relationship between your agent and yourself. Once your house is listed in the MLS listings, there is still much more your real estate professional can do for you. Real estate agents advertise property within their office and on their own personal websites. They often send out news letters, flyers, post cards and offer MLS bulletins for other realtors to see so that your property gains maximum exposure. In addition to advertisements, real estate agents also perform open houses on your property, during which potential buyers can see all that is good about your home.

The Benefits of a Buyers Agent

Many people feel that real estate agents are for sellers and sellers alone. But this is most definitely not the case. The first arena in which a buyers agent is helpful is finding the perfect home. Real estate agents have access to the MLS on a level that buyers do not. They can search specific criteria and find the perfect three- bedroom, two-bath home with a fenced in back yard and a rocking chair front porch. In addition, they can narrow real estate property listing searches by capping the minimum and maximum prices that the buyer wishes to spend. Once homes are selected for viewing, the agent then ensures that appointments are set up with the sellers of the homes to view the property.

Next there is the negotiation stage where a buyers agent comes in handy. The first part of this legal area is the writing of a contract. Real estate agents can help a buyer fully understand the ins and outs of an offer to purchase and give them a sense of exactly what they are getting into. Once a contract is created, presented, and accepted, the agent then sets up appointments on behalf of the buyer for things like the home inspection, pest inspection and appraisals. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.Buyers agents also have a sense of who is good at these things and who is not, making these decisions easier on the buyer. Then, when closing time comes, the agent is there to help the buyer warm up their signing fingers before signing all of the papers making their home ownership a reality.

Lori Osenbaugh is a licensed Realtor® associated with Keller Williams - Cherry Creek, Colorado. Search homes in the greater Denver area http://www.listwithcookie.myhomecards.com Includes customizeable searches, e-mail alerts of new properties, local area statistics, news, tips and much more!

---

Sellers, Are You Having A Hard Time Selling Your Home?

Sue and Chuck DeFiore have the perfect solution for you... Read More

Homes in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is located right in the middle of North... Read More

Financing Houses

What Real Estate Lenders Look ForLenders control many programs --... Read More

Real Estate Research By Talking

Real estate research might start with a look at the... Read More

Buy or Sell First?

When it comes to home buying, the ideal situation would... Read More

Subdividing - But NOT Land!

Many people are familiar with the concept of sub-dividing a... Read More

Real Estate Investing - House Problems

Houses can have lots of problemsReal estate investing requires expertise... Read More

The Real Estate Bubble-When Will it Burst?

More and more individuals are realizing that real estate is... Read More

Raising Money For Property Development

In addition to finding the right property, one of the... Read More

7 Different Ways Anyone Can Become a Real Estate Investor

Being a real estate investor is not really that hard,... Read More

Guide To Finding The Perfect Central Illinois House

Central Illinois is an area rich in cultural activities and... Read More

Real Estate Values or Just Bad Habits

There are several small businesses that retain hundred year old... Read More

The Real Estate Cycle

The real estate cycle, like the business cycle, refers to... Read More

What Should You Do If Your Home Isn?t Selling?

It can be very frustrating to put your home on... Read More

Back To The Future - Big Changes Are Coming, Get Ready Now

The comments below are quoted from a recent speech by... Read More

Selling Your Property Without An Estate Agent

It is possible to save £1,000s selling your home privately... Read More

Secrets of Making Money from Real Estate - Part 5

Where to from here:One property is great, but It wont... Read More

Odors Can Make or Break The Sale of Your Home

It's amazing how important the sense of smell is to... Read More

Sell Houses Fast & Top Dollar: Design Psychology

How would you like to start a bidding war for... Read More

Finding Structural Problems During Escrow ? Upscale Home Example

When buying and selling homes, the property purchase is often... Read More

How to Get the Best Price for Your House

The best price to sell your home is always determined... Read More

Kings Bay Georgia Real Estate - Be Picky When You Choose your Realtor!

I have been a mortgage lender for many years and... Read More

An Ideal Way to Purchase Your New Home without Strict Banking Regulations

You've searched high and low around town looking for that... Read More

If You are Hiring a Neighborhood Specialist to Sell Your Home, there are Some Things You Absolutely

My husband and I were eating breakfast at the Good... Read More

When is the Best Time to Move?

As Realtors, we are often asked, "When is the best... Read More

6 REASONS for Investing in Florida Real Estate Investment Property NOW

I invite you to take the next few minutes to... Read More

Spanish Estate Agents and Inspection Visits

The only way to buy a home in Spain is... Read More

Refinance Rental Property - Dont Sell It

You own a rental property for years, and never see... Read More

Selling Your Home Quickly, Even if You Have No Money For Repairs

Do you need to sell your home quickly? If so,... Read More

Sell your Property Faster

Learn how to sell your property faster and at the... Read More

10 Home Purchase Abroad Tips For Success

Are you seeking your little corner of sun drenched heaven... Read More

Real Estate, Real Property and Leased Land; Definitions, Discussion and Explanations

Delaware, and the rest of the original British Colonies, has... Read More

Buying and Selling Real Estate: Negotiating to Win-Win

You don't get what you deserve - you get what... Read More