If you are in the market for buying a new house, you probably are wondering if you should work with a real estate agent when it comes to searching for your new house.

Admittedly, working with a real estate agent is definitely a way to make your home search much smoother than if you were doing it on your own without assistance and rest assured the relationship can be a pleasurable one, if you know what to look for in an agent. There are things you need to be aware of and behaviors and items to avoid, but if you are educated on the subject, a real estate agent can help move along the biggest transaction you will probably ever make.

Factors to Consider When Establishing a Relationship

Of course, the first thing that you always need to remember is that a real estate agent is a salesperson and they are looking to sell something to you. Whether they are a listing agent or a buyers agent, they are more than likely paid a commission based upon a percentage of the cost of the home. As with any major transaction, you should never appear to be in a hurry or give off buying signals. To get the best price on your house and to make sure that your best interests are being considered over their pocketbook, you need to remain aloof, contemplative, regardless of how much you may love the granite countertops or the hardwood floors in the house you just visited. Play it cool and you will make them work for your business, instead of the other way around.

Next, hire a real estate agent who portrays success. Try to work off the referral of someone you trust. If you cannot do this, look through your local paper and contact those agents who have taken out a full page ad for their agency or for themselves. The people who can afford to advertise this way are typically the agents who are the busiest closing deals and are usually also the most successful. Also, these are the people who do the profession full time and will have the most listings and relationships.

How to Make the Most from Your Relationship with Your Real Estate Agent

One of the major keys to having a successful relationship with your real estate agent is to make sure the lines of communication stay open. If you know you are a slow shopper and are going to have to see thirty homes before you make up your mind, state this in advance. If you are adamant about sticking inside a certain price range, make the request known. The majority of problems from a relationship with a real estate agent stem from miscommunication. If your intentions are not stated clearly from the beginning, a situation could arise where there are accusations about your level of seriousness towards buying a house or ideas that you are both wasting the other ones time. Nip these problems in the bud and say what you want and what you are thinking.

Finally, never sign any sort of contract for their services. Real estate agents get paid when they make a sale, when they close on a house, not before and definitely not for just helping you look. If you run into someone who asks you to pay them to escort you around town or to show people your house, find someone else to work with.

By Ruby

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