REALTORS on the buyer's side do much more than show you houses. They have many more jobs to do.
Here are the 7 main roles of the buyer's real estate agent:
1. Educates you about your market and the home buying process. Your agent will educate you about the local real estate market and make sure you understand everything you need and want to know about the local home-buying process.
2. Analyzes your wants and needs. Look for an agent who listens and clearly communicates information to you so that it makes sense to you. Your agent will help you analyze what exactly you need and want in a home, including things you may never have considered.
3. Guides you to homes that fit your criteria. Your agent guides a home-to-home search for a property that meets all your needs and as many of your wants as possible.
4. Co-ordinates the work of other needed professionals. Moving ahead, your agent will also help you expertly co-ordinate all professionals involved in your home purchase, such as mortgage officer and property inspector.
5. Negotiates on your behalf. Your agent will start negotiating as soon as you place an offer on a home and will continue negotiating until you own the home and all is settled. Your agent will always represent your interests and push hard for the best deal without killing the deal. Your agent will always explore different options to find a win-win situation.
6. Checks and double checks paperwork and deadlines. Your agent will continuously be on top of things and make sure all paperwork is done, deadlines are met and the important steps are completed.
7. Solves any problems that may arise. Almost always problems will arise. Your agent will prevent them when they can be anticipated and solve them when they are unforeseen. Your agent will continue to represent you even after settlement of the home due to unforeseen problems that can occur after you have taken ownership.
As you can see, REALTORS have many hats to wear. Make sure you can be completely honest with your agent. Work with one that you feel completely at ease with.
This is an absolutely great post! So many people think we make millions for doing very little work. There are even more things to be added to the list regarding marketing, farming etc etc. There is no end to the work we do to help our clients!
Mark:
There are many more jobs we do. Just too many to list all in one post. These are just the ones that we give our buyers.
Brigita
Damn Brigita,I thought they put a sign on the lawn and showed up at closing for their check....LOL
Wish more thought like you!Nice post as always!
BLR Guy:
We need to educate the consumers as to what our job is.
Brigita
Articles just like this one and http://blog.lakehome.com/?p=490 -Why Hire Realtors, are a good way to do it. Any informative article such as will educate the uninformed what it is we actually do. When I get a new client and explain the process they are always excited with our level of involvement.
John:
My goal is to educate the consumer. I believe they should be informed of not only as to what we do, but also on the home buying process.
Brigita
You are so right about this education. I am shocked that so many people are so clueless. Thanks
Dee'Anna:
This is exactly why we need to educate the consumers.
Brigita