Who are real estate professionals
Real estate professionals are people who earn
their living matching home buyers with sellers. They are licensed
by the state where they live and have taken classes in subjects
such as real estate law and finance.
Working with a real estate professional to find
a house can save you time and sometimes can save you money. They
know what homes are worth and can tell you if a seller is asking
too much money for the house being sold.
Ask your family and friends for the names of
real estate professionals with whom they've worked. Or, review
newspaper ads for a listing of open houses. Stop by and talk with
the real estate professional showing the house.
You'll want to choose a professional that makes
you feel comfortable and can provide the knowledge and services
you need. If you prefer to speak Spanish, for example, be sure
to find a real estate professional that also speaks Spanish.
Most real estate professionals' services are
paid a commission by the seller of the house when the sale closes.
The buyer does not pay the real estate professional unless they
have contracted with the buyer's agent. A buyer's agent is a real
estate professional who is paid for by the buyer and therefore,
solely represents the interests of the buyer.
Questions to ask a Real Estate Professional
How
long have you been in real estate?
Are
you a full-time real estate professional?
Are
you familiar with the community in which I want to look?
Do
you speak languages other than English?
How
many homes have you sold in the last year?
What
is the average sale price of the homes you sold last year?
Do
you usually work with sellers or buyers?
How
many buyers are you presently working with? Are you acting as
the exclusive buyer's agent?
How
many sellers are you presently working with?
What
do you consider your strengths?
Can
you provide the names of three home buyers as references?
Need more advice? Allie Mae can assist
you.
Becoming a
homeowner
