I have a real estate agent. I'd like to choose another one b/c this doesn't work well.Is this correct?
488208
As an agent, my advice would be to talk to your agent and let them know that you would like to cancel your agreement- be it a listing agreement or a buyer's agency agreement.  You need to notify him/her in writing and send a copy to his/her agent as well.  If you are a seller and you are firing your listing agent, make sure you get a signed release.  Actually, I would suggest getting something in writing regardless of if it's a listing or buying agreement. Make sure you read your agreement fully before proceeding.  You can always contact another agent and ask for advice.  They cannot contact you to solicit your business but you can make the first contact and call them and then they can help you. Best wishes!
470537
I checked out the site.  It looks ok, but I don't think it's the way I would go if I were selling property.  I'd rather find a real estate agent that knows the area
763571
When a relationship is created between the purchaser and the real estate agent, the agent must work in the buyer client's best interest at all times, thereby providing purchasers with the same level of representation traditionally given only to the seller. Here are just a few of the benefits you will receive from having your own personal representative when seeking to purchase property:\n\n   1. Confidentiality. The agent you hire to represent you will not disclose confidential information regarding motivation, price and terms, or anything else of a personal nature to the seller or seller's agent without your permission to do so.\n   2. Loyalty. The buyer's agent must work in the buyer's best interest at all times, even if it is not in the agent's personal best interest to do so. This means that the agent will virtually do for you what they would do for themselves in the transaction.\n   3. Full disclosure. The agent you hire to represent you will fully disclose any information gained from the seller or the seller's agent that could be used by you in the transaction. In addition, the buyer's agent will undertake a level of diligence and discovery that will give you the necessary information to make an informed decision as to the property you wish to purchase.\n   4. The buyer's agent will search for all available properties for sale by owner, unlisted properties, new construction, foreclosures, and others and will not limit their showings to properties they have listed. A listing agent's job is to move the inventory of their seller clients. A buyer's agent's job is to locate satisfactory properties for their client. Any limitations on this search will be documented in the buyer agency agreement.\n   5. As the buyer's agent goes through the properties with you, they will assist you with analyzing the properties and determining their strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to make informed comparisons. A lifestyle analysis will be performed to determine whether or not the property would suit your particular needs.\n   6. The agent you hire to represent you in the transaction will do a market analysis on the chosen property and will provide you with an offering range for that particular property. They will then set a negotiating strategy for you to assist you in acquiring the property at the lowest price and best terms possible for your situation.\n   7. The buyer's agent will complete an offer to purchase that is "buyer friendly" and contains the contingencies and protective clauses you need\n\nThese are just a few of the benefits received from having your own personal buyer agent when purchasing. Considering that the majority of buyer agents are paid through the transaction or by the seller's agent, doesn't it just make good sense that you have the representation you deserve?\n\nWhy Should I Be Sure My Buyer Agent Is A Certified Buyer Representative?\nA recent survey completed by the National Association of Realtors shows that over 40% of the buyers are now represented in the real estate transaction. In some states, the figure is over 80%. Considering the rapid growth of buyer agency, it is imperative that a buyer find an agent who has been trained to professionally represent them in the transaction.\n\nThat, specifically, is the reason the certification mark CBR® Certified Buyer Representative was created. Issued in 1993 by the US Patent and Trademark Office, this mark allows consumers to identify a buyer agent who has been trained and who possesses the skills necessary to represent purchasers in a legal, ethical, and non-adversarial fashion.\n\nThose agents who have acquired this designation have demonstrated their commitment to full client level service to the buyer. They are armed with forms, checklists, and disclosure documents to perform a level of diligence in the real estate transaction that is unparalleled in the industry.\n\nWhen deciding on an agen
685694
It depends. Do you want to sell it yourself? Or do you want to have an agent sell it for you. If you opt for an agent I would say call or email me albert@rateonefinancial.com. Or you can call some of your local escrow companies and ask them who there hottest sales agents are. Remember that 10% of Real Estate Agents do 90% of the work. From my expierence most sales agents lack in expertise. If you choose to sell it yourself there are a Ka Zillion books that can help you. Its really not that difficult and you can save yourself some money. Most people are intimidated by all the legal paper work and such. but if it sounds to time consuming and difficult find a good agent. Or contact me. I offer free Real Estate advise and Home loan consultation.
418344
I went with a discount broker when I sold my last house.  I won't even go that route again.  There is just too much involved.  \n\nIt is enough to keep the place clean enough to show, look for a new place, etc. without the heartache of setting up appraisers, inspectors, courriers......
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.
104172
Your agent may be reluctant because they have to disclose the short sale situation.  And if they can't get a sale done they don't earn a commission.\n\nThere is nothing wrong with giving your name to a referral website, but keep in mind that your name will then be sold to another agent, with a 20-35% referral fee paid at the closing of the transaction.  This is "common" practice, but it is good to be aware of it.\n\nYour current agent does not control whether a buyer comes through - Presumably you are already listed in a multiple listing service, so you are getting good exposure.  Price it right for its condition and location, and it will sell.  Hopefully your local market is strong enough to get it sold quickly.
814775
I was an agent with ReMax for a while and it's a very high turnover company because of the high expense to its agents.  I personally know two brokers in my city who closed their ReMax offices and joined another ReMax office because they both said they made more money as a ReMax Realtor.  Apparently ReMax has very high fees for their brokers too.  I'm just finishing up the broker course and I'm planning on starting my own company.  If you are going to do a franchise though, I would recommend you go with another company, not ReMax.\n\nI hope that helps.  Good luck!!!
1066951
I don't see why not. It could be a possible conflict of interest but I am having trouble imagining a possible scenario . . . \n\n• Standard of Practice 3-7\nWhen seeking information from another REALTOR® concerning property under a management or listing agreement, REALTORS® shall disclose their REALTOR® status and whether their interest is personal or on behalf of a client and, if on behalf of a client, their representational status. (Amended 1/95)\n\nArticle 12\nREALTORS® shall be careful at all times to present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public. REALTORS® shall also ensure that their professional status (e.g., broker, appraiser, property manager, etc.) or status as REALTORS® is clearly identifiable in any such advertising. (Amended 1/93)\n\n•; Standard of Practice 16-3\nArticle 16 does not preclude REALTORS® from contacting the client of another broker for the purpose of offering to provide, or entering into a contract to provide, a different type of real estate service unrelated to the type of service currently being provided (e.g., property management as opposed to brokerage) or from offering the same type of service for property not subject to other brokers’ exclusive agreements. However, information received through a Multiple Listing Service or any other offer of cooperation may not be used to target clients of other REALTORS® to whom such offers to provide services may be made. (Amended 1/04)
1030595
In short - large and more expensive does not mean the best.\n\nYou should shop around for the best deal.  Estate Agents can find you buyers and help market your property, but beware of the fees.   Do not use sole agency, this puts you at risk if you are with a less than honest agent (some are honest) who will then get a "friend" to make an offer below market value (which they wont tell you).\n\nMarket through multiple agents (different companies - not just branches), you may pay up to 1% more commission but this way you will maximise the sale price.   Do not assume small agents are better, some are, some are not, the safest way is multiple agent marketing.  Additionally consider marketing your property on line - many companies provide this service - type property to sell in your search engine and take a look.\n\nGood luck
111543
Each statement may be different and often the security is the real poperty. Consider talking to a real estate attorney for your options.
1096113
I am not a real estate agent, I am however a homeowner who has gone through two house sales & purchases.  There is a positive and negative side to purchasing either way.  You may save money on the purchase by not hiring a real estate agent, however; you may lose if you're not careful with unexpected or hidden costs in a private deal.  When you use an agent, you are covered by them, they are the front person in a purchase/sale of a home and bound by their license as an agent to protect their clients.  You pay for that protection and the fact that they are privy to market information (which consumers are not) that could be beneficial in the purchase or sale of a home.  Also, there are marketing expenses which they absorb that aid in selling a home effectively (advertisement, etc).  If you would still prefer to buy privately, make sure that you have reliable legal advise that won't put you in an extremely compromising position 3-5 years down the road when you find out that the title search was not done properly or something equally as scarry.  Consider your options carefully and "let the buyer beware."\nGood Luck.
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!
1083581
You can get a good answer to this from the real estate forum here: http://www.homefindinginfo.com/realestateforum/default.asp\n\nPost your question and an agent who just dealt with this situation will answer it for you.
478896
I'm a real estate broker and have found there's no best way. There are many ways and you should use them all. Referrals, farming, canvassing, newspaper FSBO's and Internet free classifieds are the most populars.
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.
925311
Carlo, what kind of virtual assistant?  Are you talking about a live person via internet or a computer program?  I'm in real estate, and we have a software program called Virtual Assistant and it works really well, in that it calls up homes that meet your criteria, it has up-to-date real estate forms (make sure they are right for your state), and it has a client management system and several templates for advertising. So if you are in real estate I can recommend it, if you are an individual looking to buy or sell, I really recommend you get a realtor - there are so many laws and if you don't stay up to date you might get taken advantage of.