Whether you’re buying or selling a home, real estate agents can help you navigate
the complicated process. In addition to knowing the local market, good agents can
help you set realistic expectations and negotiate on your behalf.
Generating new business is central to the career of any real estate agent. Early in
the job, most agents focus on their sphere of influence — people they know well who
might be interested in buying or selling a property. This can include family
members, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Later, they may expand to online
marketing and cold calling. For more info https://houses4texas.com/sell-my-house-fast-austin-tx/
When working with buyers, real estate agents often have access to properties that
aren’t yet listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). They can also use a database
to find homes that match the criteria you tell them — such as number of bedrooms
and bathrooms, neighborhood amenities and more. Real estate agents can also save
you time by weeding out unsuitable homes based on price, location or other factors.
If you’re selling, your agent can advise you on what repairs or upgrades might make
your home more appealing to potential buyers. They can also help you determine
the right asking price for your property. Setting a fair asking price is critical to selling
your home quickly and getting the most money from the sale.
Agents can help you decide if it makes sense to tackle a large home improvement
project before putting your house on the market. They can also offer advice on
negotiating, home inspections and other issues that might arise during the selling
process.
One thing that separates good agents from the rest is their knowledge of financing
options. They can connect you with lenders, help you understand mortgage terms
and requirements and answer any other questions you might have. They can also
inform you of programs that might benefit first-time buyers or those looking to buy a
condo or townhome.
In a hot housing market, agents can work hard to move the process along. They can
keep you updated on new listings, showings and sales in your area. They can also
provide advice on how to stage your home for showings and take professional quality
photos of your property.
Closing is a delicate process, and even a small mistake can delay or complicate the
deal. Your agent can help you avoid costly mistakes by checking and doublechecking
all the paperwork before it’s finalized.
Real estate agents work on commission, meaning they don’t get a regular paycheck
like salary employees. That can be an adjustment for those accustomed to receiving
a steady income. Savvy agents manage their finances by setting aside money in
savings and pension plans for the future, and some even hold another job to
supplement their income until they start earning commission checks regularly.
They can also recommend reputable financial professionals to help with everything from a
mortgage to retirement planning. You can find more articles by NerdWallet writers
on your favorite topics by visiting your My NerdWallet Settings page.
