Hire the Right Real Estate Agent
When a friend or family member has a real estate license you should be careful. A professional is needed, so stick to tough standards. Money can quickly separate family or friends. Relationships can easily be damaged. How much of your personal business do you want family and friends to know? Even when you decide that if I can not trust this person, who can I trust, you need to be careful. I have seen even in immediate family, where when two are working that close together, that personal traits which would otherwise not be noticed, became a point of dissention.
Don’t be fooled by slick presentation, talk about how big the company is, or how much the agent has sold, the size of the commission, the size of the proposed selling price, or the fact that the agent lives in the neighborhood. There are times that when the agent knows too much about the neighborhood that there could be conflicting interests. Conflicting interests also come into play when the agent represents both the seller and the buyer. You need someone that you are comfortable working with and that may not be the agent that has sold the most. Personalities can play a huge role when people need to work together and understand each other. If the agent is big enough to have a team, you should be meeting the team members that you will deal with. Knowledge of marketing and understanding how to take advantage of what the market is presently doing are huge factors. Selling price should be either high, low, or in the middle according to the market plan you choose. A single marketing plan will not be correct for all neighborhoods.
Remember, buying or selling your home is probably one of the largest monetary transactions that the family will do. Use a Professional Realtor. If you are not comfortable with me, allow me to recommend an agent. Do you do your own dental work, surgery, etc? I admire you and will support you when you give it a try on your own.
If the relationship between the agent and client does not work, say something. The agent depends on that mutual communication. However, if it is unworkable many agents and broker will make arrangements to have you represented by someone else in the office.
The seller’s agent should: The Buyer’s agent should:
Get the highest price Get the lowest price.
Negotiate terms for the seller. Negotiate terms for the buyer.
Assist the seller. Assist the buyer.
Seek purchasers. Find property to the buyer’s criteria.
Protect the seller’s position. Protect the buyer’s position.
I am always amazed by those who drive around and call the name and number on a real estate sign. The same agent can not represent both parties. Hire a Buyer's agent. It does not cost you. The commission is paid by the seller in Missouri.
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