Selecting a real estate sales professional may be the most significant decision made during the buying process. Real T Team’s experienced agents focus on your needs. Our professionals analyze your financial situation and goals to ensure that you receive the most profitable and enjoyable experience possible.
Our real estate professionals provide advice, guidance and value throughout the real estate buying or selling process. If you are buying a home our real estate professionals can assist you with:
- Getting started
- Preparing your finances
- Choosing a neighborhood
- Finding a home
- Preparing for your move
- Preparing offers
- Vendor Coordination
- Negotiating
- Contracts
- Closing
- Inspections
- Legal issues
- Real estate terms
- Leasing/ refinancing
Steps in Selecting an Agent
1. Choose a trustworthy agent
2. Verify your agent is a REALTOR
3. Understand how your REALTOR conducts business
4. What resources and advantages does your agent possess?
5. Have your agent provide references
6. Understand the communication process
7. Types of agents
8. Sign Buyer Representation Agreement
1. The first step in selecting an agent is to find a REALTOR® you can trust
Trust is the foundation for a successful relationship. Pick an agent you have confidence in and can work with. By working together you will identify your needs and match your individual goals with an agent’s industry experience and expertise to achieve the best results possible.
2. Verify your agent is a REALTOR®
All REALTORS are licensed real estate agents, however not all licensed real estate agents are REALTORS®. REALTORS® go beyond basic requirements in the areas of knowledge, professionalism & service and are pledged to uphold the strict REALTOR® Code of Ethics, which means your interests come first.
3. Understand how your REALTOR® conducts business.
Which days and hours do they work?
How many clients do they work with at any given time and do they have assistants?
It is important to understand the level of service you will receive. Some agents work on a team or with assistants, which allow them to work with more clients. Other agents prefer to work individually and handle all issues personally. Either option can be very rewarding if handled properly. An agent who works individually and maintains the proper number of clients can provide excellent support. Likewise, a team can provide excellent service, but it is important to understand who you will be dealing with on specific issues and to make sure you interview those agents as well.
4. What resources and advantages does your agent possess?
Make sure the company maintains a website that helps you track your searches, notifies you of new listings matching your criteria, and provides you with useful information throughout the buying process. Many people prefer to do online searches and research on their own in the privacy of their home.
5. Have your agent provide references
Make sure you follow up and call the references. Much can be learned about how an agent conducts their business and if their style is compatible with the way you do business.
6. Understand the communication process
Developing an agreement upfront as to how an agent will contact you – email, fax, phone – as well as how often – weekly, when a listing matches your criteria, etc. – will save you time and make the entire experience more enjoyable.
7. Types of Agents
- Seller's agent
- Works for the firm that holds a seller’s listing
- Buyers should not give confidential information to a seller's agent because the agent's loyalty is with the seller
- You can assume any agent is a seller's agent unless you have signed a buyer’s representation agreement to change that status
- Buyer's agent
- Signs an agreement to represent a buyer in a home search and sales transaction
- It is critical to find a buyer agent you can trust and depend on
- Buyer agents should not disclose confidential information to sellers
- Dual agent
- Represents the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction
- Dual agency can be confusing and must usually be agreed to in writing by both the buyer and the seller
8. Sign Buyer Representation Agreement
The next step after identifying an agent to work with is to sign a Buyer Representation Agreement. This creates a principal-agent relationship in which the broker is the agent for the buyer. The broker then represents the buyer under the laws of agency.
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