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The gimmick of "get 4 offers" or "we have 100 lenders compete for your business?"
Its just that, a gimmick. Avoid the credit inquiries, phone calls, and competitive lenders as they perform the 'home loan rate shuffle'.
Pick your program and see the lender's best deals with privacy!
You are going to be surprised by what we say here but its for your own good and maybe our honesty will make it the factor in hiring us for helping you buy or sell your next home.
 First, there is a shortage of inventory-- that makes the market hot right now! However, just listing it in the MLS is not enough to sell a house. You are really paying for a Realtor's expertise in getting top dollar and knowing how to play the 'poker game' of negotiation.
For buyers it's finding the Agent that knows the area and what is ABOUT to happen not just sign up clients and let them bounce around.
Next realize that YOU, the home owner or buyer, are the major contributor to our economy. You put money in many peoples pockets when you get involed in a real estate transaction
The Broker that represents the seller usually earns a commission. Realtors earn up to 3% in some areas if they are just representing the buyer-- (Ok...... the seller pays it but the realtor YOU choose to represent you earns 3%).
So as you start this process realize YOUR concerns are most important.
Don't worry about offending a realtor or upsetting them. And dont let them make you feel you are too demanding. Realize also that listing the property in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) will be the main source for selling your home.
If you are a buyer you should realize YOU are the center of this whole industry and without you no one gets paid.
So no bad feelings for doing your homework and interviewing everyone; realtor, inspector, contractor....anyone!
Ok. Ready to find your team?
Now lets get to how to interview a realtor!
#1. Then go to our site or a site like realtor.com and look to see if EVERY property has multiple photos AND a virtual tour.
#2. Does the agent have a premade form or website page that you can get access to multiple choices for people you will need to help you with the process? (home inspectors,remodelers,mortgage and personal finance analysts,credit report analysts, movers,contractors, landscapers,etc.) ***many might say they cant because of liability but that is a warning sign and beware, besides in the agent agreement it says they are not liable for outside companies.
#3. Do they have a team of assistants that help the realtor and you? Open house specialists, escrow coordinators,alternate realtor in case they are not around?
#4. Ask them their game plan as to how they are going to promote YOUR home in ways that other agents don't.
THEY NEED YOU, remember that!
Buyers Agents should be paid for what they do FOR you not just because they sign you up .
Sellers Agents have a minimum of what they should do to.
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