Where is no doubt that in today’s real estate market it is difficult to determine if you are selling or buying at the right time. Though it is clear the market has been in a slump the past few years, we continue to be a mobile nation. And regardless of market status, Americans continue to move based on career and family needs, refusing to allow housing concerns to keep them chained geographically. Where there’s a will there’s a way, and with real estate agents desiring to make a living no matter what the market is like, they will always find a way to make sure you are successful whether you are buying or selling a home.

If ever there is a situation where you need to make a choice based on referrals and past performance, choosing a real estate agent is it. When the real estate market is booming, it’s easier to go with an agent you may not know much about. But reality is that if you want to sell a home and make a profit, you are going to need someone who is committed and creative. Real estate agents are trained to understand the needs of buyers and sellers, and they apply that knowledge to the current real estate market to provide well-rounded services throughout the process.

For a relatively stress-free real estate transaction, real estate agents seem to be the way to go. When selling a home, your agent will meet with you to gain a full understanding of what you want to get out of your home financially as well as what your home has to offer potential buyers. The agent also will assess any areas in which you are willing to make concessions in a potential deal, and will protect your interests throughout the process. Sellers’ agents should also recommend any repairs or updates that should be done to your home or appliances in order to make it more appealing and sellable.

Marketing your home should be the agent’s number one priority, as getting your home noticed is half the battle when selling a home. Make sure that clear, attractive photos are taken of the interior rooms, exterior, and land surrounding the home. These photos should be used on the agent’s Web site, in printed real estate magazines, and on televised home shows. You should be able to see your home posted anytime you go online to search for it. The Internet is highly used by home buyers in the initial stages, and the better the posting is for your home, the more likely it will generate interested buyers. Creative methods should also be employed such as hosting realtor luncheons at your home, holding well-advertised open houses, and making proactive calls to prospective buyers.

Conversely, if you are in the market to buy a home, your real estate agent should provide you with service focused on you and your family’s needs in a home. They should take the time to sit down with you and determine what the most important features are, which ones would be nice to have, and which ones you will not negotiate on. Also, know the area of town you are interested in living in but don’t limit yourself to one certain area. A home just a few blocks outside of your “ideal” neighborhood might actually be ideal for you.

A few years ago, I was in the market to buy a home and told my agent that I only wanted to look in certain areas. After two days and 21 houses, I still hadn’t found “the one.” Throughout our two-day search my agent consistently asked me if I would be willing to look just slightly past my boundaries I had imposed on her because she knew I would find what I was looking for if I just expanded my geographical scope. After seeing 21 houses, I was open to anything. I finally let her expand the map and the very first home I saw in that new area was the one I bought. The lesson I learned from that experience was that I was so caught up in making sure she was only showing me homes that met my initial criteria that I was preventing her from truly being able to serve me by giving her a little more to work with. While it’s good to know what you want and where you want it, be open to your agent’s additional suggestions as well.

In addition to helping you find your dream home, the buyer’s agent should also be protective of your interests and assist you throughout the process of searching, offering, and closing the deal. While she cannot advise you on the type of offer to make, she should be able to tell you whether the offer you intend to make is fair and reasonable. When it comes time to close, she should be there guiding you through all the final steps and ensuring the transaction finalization is as smooth as possible. This is especially true if you are buying a home out-of-state and cannot be there for the closing. Your agent can attend the closing on your behalf, with trust being the most important factor during this crucial time.

For both sides, your real estate agent should always be available when you need her. If you find yourself leaving messages that go unreturned or if you feel in any way that your best interests are not at heart, it may be time to find another agent. Real estate agents are typically working with several buyers and sellers at any given time, but you should always feel like you are their only client. Calls should be returned promptly, and the agent should make every effort to make herself available to you when you want to view or show a property.

When you decide the time is right to navigate the real estate market as a buyer or seller, take the extra time to choose a real estate agent who is right for you. After all, you’ll rely on this person for potentially several months. Being on the move these days may mean a bumpy ride, but a real estate agent can help smooth the path to a successful transaction.
Sources for this story included www.realestate.msn.com.



  

Navigating the Real Estate Market
By Dana Day