Date Posted: 2012-05-23 02:31:14
Site Posted: Myproperty.ph
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When buying or selling a house, it’s essential to pick the best possible real estate agent to help you out. However, there are times when a buyer or seller is so overwhelmed by the whole thing that he lets his emotions get in the way, instead of remembering that real estate is a business. If you are working with a bad agent right now, ask yourself these questions to find out how you made the mistake.
Did you base your decision on your gut?
Anyone who works in sales is trained to have a great personality, so don’t be swayed simply because you managed to make friends with an agent on your first meeting. Don’t be afraid to ask him about his real estate experience, and try to ask his clients what it’s like to have him as an agent. Also, just because an agent claims to have been in the business for a long time doesn’t mean that he’s been doing a good job all these years. He could’ve just been coasting through those years with a few sales here and there, while greener agents have been making up their lack of tenure with hard work and enthusiasm.
Did you go with an agent who is a family member or friend?
It’s never a good idea to hire a family member or a close friend, whether as a doctor, a lawyer or a real estate agent. You’ll both end up walking on eggshells to make sure that no feelings get hurt, and then nothing gets done right. When dealing with someone close to you, it’s hard to keep sentimentalities out of it, so personal relationships very often go south when things go wrong in your business transaction.
Did you choose an agent based on commission?
If you choose an agent who works for peanuts, don’t expect him to be as dedicated to your home as an agent working on a full commission would be. When agents take on your buying or selling task, they’re gambling their own time and money (hoping to get it back through commission), and these days, marketing and advertising are pretty costly. No one will agree to put in a lot of time and effort to sell your home or help you buy one without the right incentive.
Did you assume that all agents are the same?
The real estate business is constantly evolving, so agents have to scramble to keep up. Yes, they all studied the same material and passed the same exams, but the best agents are the ones who take the extra mile to improve their skills. This could mean dabbling in social media marketing, learning about foreclosed properties or specializing in mortgage applications. All transactions are different in their own way, so make sure that you hire an agent that will be able to cater to your very specific needs.
Don’t try to sell your house or buy one without the right agent by your side. You’d be making a very expensive mistake if you deal with an agent who turns out not to be as ideal as you hoped he’d be.
Jillian Cariola, Writer
(cover image by arte_ram)
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