Seller brokers, buyer’s agents, dual agents, exclusive seller agents, discount agents – real estate agents come in many different forms. The articles, columns, radio shows, blog posts and videos here help you navigate the new and complex world of hiring a real estate agent.
Can You Keep the Security Deposit After a Tenant Breaks the Lease?
Can you keep the security deposit after a tenant breaks the lease? When a tenant breaks the lease on your rental property, you could be entitled to keep the security deposit based on your state’s laws. Q: Can I keep the security deposit my tenant gave me after he broke the lease? Here's what happened: [...]
Aggressive Real Estate Agent Pushes Home Purchase
What recourse does a prospective home buyer have when dealing with an aggressive real estate agent who is pressuring him to close on a house he no longer wants? The home buyer should contact a real estate attorney to find out if he's on the hook legally because there is no contract for a home purchase unless the offer was made in writing and it has been accepted in writing. Also, the home buyer should ditch the real estate agent and think long and hard before making the single biggest purchase of his life.
What Real Estate Agents Should Do Before Listing a House
What should an agent do before listing your house? They should make multiple visits to the house and create a market analysis. Good agents will give tips on how to improve the marketability and enhance the house for sale. Real estate agents should discuss the location, condition and give other tips and recommendations. Watch this Expert Real Estate segment for more information on what real estate agents should do to prepare a house for sale.
Characteristics Of A Great Real Estate Agent
What makes a good real estate agent? Trust, integrity, and good communication (phone and email)! Find an agent who is a good advocate, works hard and successfully buys and sells homes. Can your agent communicate the pros and cons to you and find great deals? Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips segment for more information on important characteristics in real estate agents.
Filing formal complaints against real estate agents
Know your rights if you have a complaint about your real estate agent. If your real estate agent has broken a law, you can file a complaint with your state's regulatory agency, the Better Business Bureau, and the National Association of Realtors. If your real estate agent has committed a criminal act against you, contact the police. But make sure you have a true complaint against your real estate agent and not just a minor disagreement or frustration because your property has not been sold.
Real Estate Agents: What’s Dual Agency?
A real estate agent typically represents either the buyer or the seller. But if a listing agent brings the buyer to the table, that real estate agent is now a dual agent. What is dual agency? How can you protect yourself if you find yourself working in a dual agency situation. Check out this new ExpertRealEstateTips video for the answer.
Questions To Ask A Real Estate Agent
Don't be afraid to ask real estate agents questions before you hire them. Which real estate companies have they worked for and for how long? Do they hold an agent's license or broker's license? What is their specialty and can they provide references? How do they market real estate on the Internet? What real estate have they sold? This Expert Real Estate Tips segment tells you what questions to ask your real estate agent.
Your Real Estate Agent May Know You Best
Real estate agents sometimes have a sixth sense for what a buyer wants. Is space, price range or style most important? How does a good agent discover what her client needs and wants? View this Expert Real Estate Tips segment for insight into how real estate agents figure out what their clients really want to buy and to learn why exposure to properties is key in finding out what you want in a property.
Real Estate Research Can Save You Money
How can you protect yourself from costly mistakes when buying and selling a home? How can you save money when you're looking at real estate? Educate yourself on the process, do research on your property and find a good agent to represent you. Real estate research in all areas of the real estate process can save you money.