Real Estate Agent Or Broker

estate experts go by a few different names,who suits your personality. Working with a real
although the distinction shouldn’t matterestate is a little like a short-term marriage. Even in
for you as a first time home buyer. Important isthe best of circumstances, the pressure will
to make certain the broker or agent you chousemount and you may not always like
is a licensed real estate professional. All real estatewhat’s happening, or how a situation is
brokers or agents are licensed and regulated bybeing handled, or how a situation is being handled.
each state.You’ll be in close proximity for an
To the average home buyer or seller, theundetermined amount of time – at least 3
difference isn’t much. To become a realto 6 months from start to closing—so
estate agent, an individual must complete theit’s a good idea to find someone with
required number of classes and pass thewhom you’re compatible. To ensure
agent’s exam. To become a broker theyou’re working with the right person, take
agent must than take additional classes, have aon the responsibility of interviewing several agents
specified amount of experience in the fieldor brokers before you take your final decision. If
(normally 1 year), and pass another exam. Havingyou simply take a friend’s or
a real estate broker license confers certainrelative’s suggestion, you may find
privileges, including the right to open, run, and ownyourself working with the wrong agent or broker,
a real estate office, and to work independentlylooking in the wrong neighborhoods, and touring
without an office. A real estate agent must workhomes that are too expensive.
for a broker, who is responsible for thatHere are the most important sixteen questions
agent’s actions.you should ask the agent or broker when
Work With a Broker Instead of an Agent? Notyou’re making the interview: 1. How many
necessary! Although it would seem that a brokeryears have you been in the real estate business?
may have more experience or be more2. How many years have you been with this
knowledgeable than an agent, it is not always thecompany? 3. How many residential real estate
case. A lot of excellent real estates agents havetransactions have you complete in each of the
choose not to become brokers because theypast three years? 4. What percentage of your
have no intention of ever running their own office.home business is with home buyers? 5. How old
The experience and knowledge of a real estateare your clients in average? Do they have
agent who has been working in an area for tenchildren? 6. What was the price range of the
years will far surpass that of a brand new broker.homes you helped people buy and sell last year?
Realtors vs. Non-Realtors A realtor is a broker or7. What was the average price of the homes you
agent who belongs to the National Association ofhelped your clients buy and sell? If you want to
Realtors (NAR), and subscribes to thatbuy the home of your dreams in less time with
organization’s code of ethics and conduct.less money, than click on the link bellow to
There are about 2 million real estates agents anddiscover the most powerful home-buying
brokers in the US, of which around 800,000strategies real estate companies don’t
belong to the NAR. Is it better to work with awant you to know and save at least $13,000 in
realtor than a broker or agent who is not aadditional fees & taxes guaranteed. 8. Are
realtor? Not necessarily, because when you lookyou an exclusive buyer broker? Do you ask
for an agent or broker you must look for thehome buyers to sign an exclusivity contract? 9.
best, most knowledgeable, and most reliable agentDo you charge an up-front fee that is later applied
or broker. Don’t worry about titles,to the commission? 10. What are the primary
designations, and how many diplomas he or sheneighborhoods or communities in which you work?
has. Finding a Real Estate Agent or Broker Finding11. How familiar are you with the schools, crime
a broker or agent who meets your needs and isstatistics, and demographics of the various
compatible with your personality can be tougherneighborhoods. 12. What style of home do you
than it sounds. Buyers who have the worstmost frequently work with? 13. Are you a
experiences are often those who just walk intosmoker or nonsmoker? (if this is important for
or call a neighborhood shop and ask for anyone atyou) 14. How many home buyers or sellers do
random.you work with at a given time? 15. How do I
But how can you find a good agent or broker?reach you? Can I e-mail you? Or phone you at
Here are three valuable suggestions: a. Open yourhome? 16. Do you work with an assistant? Will I
local newspaper to the real estate section andbe working with an assistant or with you?
see who runs the biggest ads, week in and weekYou can find out a lot about agents just by the
out b. You can ask your parents, relatives, orway they answer these questions. If they bristle
friends for referrals. But before taking anyand seem reluctant to share information with you,
decision, make sure they had a great experiencethat may be a sign of things to come. If
with the agent they used c. Call your local boardthey’re open and friendly, and you
of realtors and ask for the names of agents whodevelop a connection on the phone, you may
sold the most property last year.have found someone with whom you’ll
Choosing the Right Agent or Broker In addition toenjoy working.
looking for an experienced agent, try to find one