Realtors

Realtors are a very important part of the home buying and home selling process. A realtor is highly recommended when you are looking to sell your home and also for when you are looking to buy a home.

One concept that seems to be growing in popularity is that of discount Realtors. With the discount Realtors the general idea is that the home seller or even the home buyer performs some of the more mundane tasks associated with selling or buying the property in exchange for a discounted fee (in the case of sellers). On the buyers side the discount Realtor may even rebate some of the buyer agents commission to the buyers. As you might imagine, the more traditional, full service Realtors are highly resistant to this concept but it is a trend that has been growing. A sort of "Wal-Mart" effect that shows America's affection with discount merchandisers and service providers.

Some states have jumped in to outline the specific duties which must be performed by licensed real estate agents, including discount brokers.

If you are trying to buy a home you want to secure the services of a realtor with ABR credentials. This means they represent the buyers best interest and not the sellers.

Many Real Estate Agents will not show properties until you have a letter of prequalification from your preferred Mortgage Professional.
This may be because they waste a lot of time showing properties to unqualified buyers.

It is also common for Realtors working for home sellers to refer potential buyers who are not pre-qualified to a trusted loan officer to prequalify the buyer.

Since Realtor costs are picked up by the seller its best as a buyer to always be represented.

Some Realtors can be the selling agent and buying agent (dual agents) in a real estate transaction. Keep in mind that their first obligation is to the home seller and to get the best deal they can for the seller. Also, the higher they sell the home for the more commission they will be paid and they will earn the entire commission instead of having to split the commission with another realtor.

Personal referrals are always the best. Ask your friends, family and co-workers who they would recommend. They will most likely be very honest as to the experience they had with a particular agent.

When shopping for a realtor, it is important to choose a one who is familiar and well in touch with the neighborhood you are looking to move to. Also, do not depend solely on your realtor to find you that dream home, as your dream house may be sold by the homeowner and not listed with any real estate agencies.

» DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article on 'Realtors' is a collection of contributions by licensed mortgage professionals and is not the opinion of Broker Outpost LLC. Always consult a licensed professional before applying for a mortgage.