subject: Real Estate Agents - How To Find A Real Estate Agent That Is Worth What They Get Paid [print this page] Real Estate Agents - How To Find A Real Estate Agent That Is Worth What They Get Paid
If you have never bought a home before then you are probably wondering why you need a real estate agent in the first place. In Georgia where I live the agencies get a 6% commission, so on a one hundred thousand dollar home they will get six thousand dollars. In these tough economic times the argument could be made that your money would be better invested in a savings account or in a nicer home. So what are the reasons you should use a licensed real estate agent when you are buying or selling your home?Experience and AdviceA Realtor who has been around for a while has seen all kinds of things go wrong in deals. I have seen things literally crumble at the last minute and the people involved lose lots of time and money in the process. After having these experiences Realtors learn what pitfalls to avoid in deals and they are able to direct the unknowing consumer away from them.Access To A Wider Variety Of PropertiesNow days with the internet anyone can go on the local MLS and look up the properties that are for sale. In Georgia you can do this and it doesn't cost you a single penny. Sometimes the problem is that you really don't know a property until you visit it. The web is great, but once you walk in a place you may find out that you hate it. Part of a real estate agent's job is to ask you questions that help them figure out exactly what you are after. That way you only have to visit a few homes before you find the one that is perfect for you. Also agents very often have key information about properties, for instance they may know a week or two ahead of time when something is about to go on the market.Agents Are Helpful In NegotiationsIn a real estate deal there is usually a fair amount of negotiations. Your agent should be skilled in handling these high level trades and work to get you the best deal possible. (unless an agent has specified themselves as dual agency) The agent is your employee and should always try to get you the best deal possible. They are not a liaison between the two of you but rather they are there to make sure you come out ahead.When you take a look at things from that perspective it is pretty easy to see that your real estate agent is worth every penny that they make. You cannot buy that kind of experience and knowledge anywhere else so inexpensively.
