I'm a new agent real estate in Texas. What do I look for in a broker and what kind of questions do I ask them?
484227
1. How many agents in your office?\n2. How many have worked here for more than 2 years?\n3. Depending on the answer, why do think you have such a high turnover? Or why is your turnover so low?\n4. explain how you split commission.\n5. What additional charges can i expect to my split? Like Technology fees, or keybox charges.\n6. How much advertising do you provide for each listing?\n7. How does your agency rank in the community in market share?\n8. Do you receive much relocation business?\n9. How do you allocate relocations and referrals among the agents?\n10. do you have a minimum volume per year for each agent?
1159280
OK....sellers realty costs are no more than 6% of the sales price of your home, and take it from a realtor...when you list your house, and you don't offer a good commission to the BUYERS agent, they won't even SHOW your house to their buyers, so you can basically concider your home blacklisted and it will not be shown.  So unless you already have a buyer lined up to purchase your home, you really need to get an agent.  Not all of them are annoying, but there are always a few that give the rest of us a bad name.  Plus, when a buyer buys a home from a *for sale by owner* the buyers agent knows they will be doing the work of both sides and again, we avoid that at all costs.  Why should we work double duty and then only get paid for one side, and its usually only 1.5%-2% commission anyway? No thank you..so bottom line...get an agent.  Interview 3 or 4 and find one who's personality you can get along with.  There are a lot of very good, honest agents out there and with the right one you can have a smooth job of selling your home.  Good Luck!
783796
In the last 15 years or so those of us in the mortgage industry have spent a great deal of time educationg our potential clients that they need to see a lender before they take any further steps towards a purchase.  In this, which is more of a purchase market than we have seen in several years, a diversity of sources is extremely important.  Many buyers have already been pre-approved for financing before they begin their search so what may have once been the best source for clients, Realtors, is no longer a gold mine.  \n\nWith a 20+ year history in the mortgage lending industry, there are several approaches I would suggest that may help you develop a wide base.\n\nDevelop relationships with several financial professionals, tax accountants, CPS's, financial planners.  You may see the preponderence of their referrals at times when Realtor business is down, that will help you avoid the "peaks and valleys" effect.  Maintain regular contact via brodcast email, holiday cards, articles you find that may interest them.\n\nDivorce attorneys are another excellent source.  Many of them do not underestand the long term implications a divorce can have on the parties and how important that the equity issues be resolved prior to the filing as well as the documentation requirements for those deeding out but remaining on title.  Again, regular contact is a must.\n\nMonthly mailings to a "farm" (a specific neighborhood) make your name a familiar one and most likely to get a shot at a refi or home equity loan as well as a potential new purchase.  You may want to team up with restaurants or stores convenient to the neighborhood to send out discount coupons for their services.  That always gets attention.   Keep your size realistic to minimize production and mailing costs.  Your title company's marketing representative is a good source for this information.\n\nAnd, even though they may no longer be the best source, Realtors ( a stable of at least 10 with another 3 or 4 always in development)  is a must.\n\nAbove all, make certain everyone you meet knows what you do for a living.\n\nGood luck.
8646
I just asked my mom, who's been a realtor for over ten years, her "recipe for success" on the floor and this is what she said:\n\n"Ask the person what prompted the phone call, i.e., for sale sign, looking to buy, looking to sell, etc.  If the person saw the house, what was it that attracted the person to the house?  Was it the neighborhood? The price? The design? Try to keep a dialogue going by asking questions."\n\nShe also pointed out that some people can't get hooked even by the most skilled salesperson.  There are people out there who just want a question answered and aren't interested in working with a realtor.
702189
Have you checked with a local agent who can search high and low for you? A good agent will search not only what is on the market, but forclosures and for sale by owners. If you would like a refferral to an agent in the area, I would be more than happy to help you find someone. If you have any real estate questions you would like answered, please feel free to ask!
1023690
i would suggest contacting the texas chamber of commerce.\n\nthey should know the answers to all your questions. :)
704937
The best place is through a Realtor, there are agents who specialize in these types of properties.  Once you find one or two, you may want to pick the Realtor's brain and find out all you can.
322068
HOOOOO BOY! It ain't cheap. But it's necessary. You've got quarterly MLS dues, Local board dues and national board dues. They add up to somewhere between $400 and $500. Can't remember and could be wrong. Not cheap though. There are definitely some things you'll need and some you won't. Business cards are your first expense. They're your life blood. LEAVE THEM EVERYWHERE! Run out? Order more! There are all kinds of marketing materials out there. Most you really don't need to start off, but be ready to get them once you're rolling. \n\nYou really need to write a business plan and plan where your money's going in advance, because it will snowball on you if you're not careful. If you don't know how, find a business coach to help you. It's a worthwhile expense. There are a lot that charge on a sliding scale, depending on what you make. \n\nTo pick a broker, interview at least three. Go with the one you feel most comfortable with. The one you feel like you can go talk to if you have a problem. They should have a sales manager that doesn't actively sell. Just manages agents. If you need structure and classes, Century 21 and Keller Williams have pretty solid reputations. Keep in mind that most offices are independantly operated though, so one C21 office could be 100% different from another. Go with your gut. It's your best judge. \n\nWhere are you in Texas? I'm in SA and can point you in the right direction if you're in town. \n\nAll it takes is hard work and a willingness to keep learning. Period. Be ready to work though.
260385
First thing tomorrow morning go to a real estate office and asked to speak with a broker.  If they wanted they could take you under their wing and show the ropes.  By preparing you for the state exam they could mold you into a  successful agent once you've completed your classroom hours and pass the exam.   Best of luck...But remember...it's all about ethics..Seriously...nobody wants to sit in arbitration sessions when they should be out there selling the houses they are being commisioned to sell.
1051638
http://www.pauld-kw.com \nNeed a good Realtor? \nIf In Alabama - e-mail me \nIf not in Alabama - I can still recommend an experienced Realtor from your area \nthat will give you OUTSTANDING service!\nhttp://www.pauld-kw.com
277134
This is tricky and I would recommend co-brokering with a licensed real estate firm. You can get a referral fee.......\n\nThere is a reason why certain professions have licensing requirements and that is to protect both the consumer and the professional. If the deal goes sour, you will have no protection and the customer could refuse to pay your fee at close since ur are not licensed and he may threaten to expose the fact...people will say/do anything to get out of their obligations.\n\nCo-broker the deal with a licensed agent/firm.....just find a teeny-tiny one that will not make a fuss about paying out ur referral fee.
491250
There are many good real estate lawyers in Texas.  What city are you in?  I would narrow down the selection process that way.  Also check with the licensing association in Austin.  They will also be able to tell you who is having "professional difficulty," something you would want to stay away from in an attorney.
66968
Great question, I believe it boils down to experience and results.\n\nMixed in is ethics and looking out for the clients best interest.\n\nI also beleive agents/Brokers are broken down to two camps. One at listing and one at representing buyers.\n\nIf your listing your property, you want an agent that is able and experienced enough to obtain the highest value in the open market.\n\nYou want an agent to be honest with you and tell you the truth vs some fantasy.\n\nWhat are the agents marketing skills?, do they use the internet?, do they have a digital camera? Look at ther personal website.\n\nAsk for a copy of actual sales on an annual basis. More the better.\n\nA good agent will sell 3-4 a month vs 6 in a year.\n\nAs a buyer's agent, similiar questions. How many buyers did you represent in the past year?\n\nPlease supply references and call the reference's of what they liked or disliked.\n\nInterview mutiple agents/brokers.\n\nIn addition the longer tenure in the business. What professional designation has the agent obtained? CRS is good.\n\nLook at http://www.Realtor.com http://www.Yahoo.com under real estate and in Yahoo look at the agents presence. This will speaks volumes.\n\nI'm not impressed by companies but by the individal experience of the agent.\n\nThey say 95% of real estate is sold by 5% of agents.
196596
Its always a good idea to contact a few realtors, if your not very familure with buying land or local ordanaces that might apply to your type of business.  It might also a good idea to contact some insurance compnies to make sure you'll be able to get the liabilty insureance needed and to check and see if they might have any requirements regarding the land that might affect your premiums.
389296
a good commercial realtor could help, also just drive areas where you would like to locate and then ask other tenants and people in the neighborhoods
103761
To add to the state requirements your state would impose, sales experience helps.  Also, talk to people who have purchased a house.  Find out what was good about an agent they used, and what they would have liked their agent to do, but he/she didn't.  Also, a knowledge about the market you wish to work in is invaluable.  Start paying attention to what your market is doing before you get involved so you can jump right in, and not spend the first few months trying to figure out what to do.
323972
How old is the house? Is it in a good school district? How much are the taxes? What are the average utility bills? How old are the appliances, the heating and ac systems and the roof? Does it have hardwood floors under the carpeting? Do you get city water? Does it have a septic tank? What kind of heating is used: gas, electric or something else? What is the total square footage? How big is the lot?\n\nYou need to ask lots of questions and, if you are serious, you need to get everything in writing. A good real estate agent can help you. The seller pays the agent, not the buyer.