What your real estate agent may not have told you!
I don’t play well with others!
In my experience, not all agents have good manners! They don’t communicate nicely and some don’t communicate at all! Send the agent you are thinking about hiring an email, how quick do they respond? Or do they? Call a sign, do they answer your call? Leave a message, do they call you back? These simple little tests can give you a taste for what they may be like when it comes to working with you!
I party at your open house!
It has been my experience that most of the time agents use open houses as a way to get their work done or to chit chat with nosy neighbors! Holding an open house serves another important purpose for the agent, it gives him a database of clients. Agents are looking for potential buyer and sellers. Or, they simply do them to appease the sellers, as their duty! Despite all that, open houses are still a way to showcase and sell a home. In order for an open house to be successful the agent must prepare. The open house must be advertised and must have signs out that lead to the house, your open house shouldn’t be found by chance. I always have a reason or two for people to stop by, food and prizes! An open house is only as successful as the agent that hosts it!
I may rip you off!
I have seen ridiculous amount of monies put down as an earnest money deposit. It is true that the more you willing to put down the more sincere you are at wanting the home. BUT, that money goes into escrow and must remain there until BOTH the buyer and sellers agree to release it. You cannot take the money out when you decide you don’t want to buy the home, even during your contingency period. It is my opinion that your money can be potentially at risk. Be smart about how you handle your deposit!
I’m a liar!
The truth of the matter is that 90% of the work is done by about 10% of the agents in real estate. Many agents claim to be experts in many things like neighborhood experts. Questions you can ask your potential agent, how long have you lived in the area, what on-going education do you partake in, what designations do you have, how long have you been in the business, are you a full time agent? Do you have any references?
I am NOT a REALTOR®!
Agents can be licenesed and practicing real estate and not be a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and they held to a strict code of ethics which is for your protection. They must be honest and ethical in a matters relating to a real estate transaction and they must go through an ethics class every four years. You may find it helpful to read a REALTOR® Magazine article about Why it pays to work with a REALTOR®.
The rest of the story!
The rest of the story that an agent may not tell you is what is happening in a particular neighborhood. Unfortunately, there is no “cooling off” period when it comes to owning a home. When you buy it, it’s yours, and there is no escaping! Do some investigating on your own. A few suggestions: Walk around the house that you're considering buying at various times of the day and night to see what is going on. Talk to neighbors, sellers may not tell you everything but their neighbors will! Check with the planning department to find out about any construction or development that may be in the works. Also, stop by the local police department and check out the crime statistics in the neighborhood. As Paul Harvey would say, “And know you know the rest of the story.”
Sure, I can find you a house in a “Hispanic” neighborhood!
If an agent tells you that RUN!
I can’t show you houses in a “Hispanic” neighborhood. One definition you should be aware of is, “steering.” Steering is showing a client property in only one type of neighborhood and/or the refusing to communicate the availability of housing in other neighborhoods. You can research areas you want to live in and let me know so I can find houses in that area. I however, may not suggest to you where to look, even if I think I know an area you may like.
There are demographic statistics available at the US Census bureau’s website. While we are on the subject, the same applies for me offering specific information about religious buildings in the area, my input on school ratings, environmental issues, sex offenders and crime statistics. My opinion is just that, MINE, and it may not agree with yours. The best way to get a better understanding of a neighborhood is to get online and research for yourself.
My website has some great links that you may find helpful in your research. You can check out school reports, community reports, and if you are thinking of buying you can get listings by email! If you are thinking about selling you can find out what your home is worth!
Before you buy or sell make sure you do your part, get educated and do a little research on the agent you may chose to work with.
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