How to Find a Real Estate Agent

January 25, 2020September 14, 2018 by nickpiro

How to Find a Real Estate Agent

Finding the right real estate agent can be just as important as finding the right house. There are a lot of agents out there and it seems like everyone and their cousin has someone to recommend. Check out suggestions from a realtor on finding the right match.

5 tips on selecting the right agent

Find one that knows the area well An agent that knows your area will have better insight into historical and future property values. They may also be able to suggest like-minded neighborhoods more in your price range or closer to your favorite spots.

Check out their Zillow profile
1. Check out when they sold their first house – how long have they been in the business? How many houses have they sold in the last 12 months? What does that look like in comparison to other agents
2. Review how many houses they’ve sold, especially in comparison to the number of reviews they have.
3. Read their reviews and look for any patterns. Like other reviews, look for concrete examples rather than just fluff.
4. Where have they sold houses? Particular neighborhoods or areas? Perhaps they have a speciality.
5. What types of houses have they sold? Do they align with what you might be looking for?

Check out their website Don’t just glance at it – look at it and read what they took the time to craft. Someone who pays attention to detail on his or her site likely does the same when doing business. The devil is in the details!If they work for a firm, see if they have a more personal website, too (and vice versa). It’s best to do your homework and get a feel for the agent for whoever they’re representing.

Word of mouth A verbal recommendation from a trusted source will pretty much always trump anything else. Ask your friends, ask your family members, ask the guy at the brewery next to you. Get a swath of recommendations.On that note, don’t just ask people for recommendations, but ask them why. Someone may have loved an agent because he or she was aggressive with pricing but maybe you’d prefer someone who is willing to take their time with you and find the right home.

Offer to buy an agent coffee Buying a house is a big deal and a big purchase. Don’t be afraid to meet with a few agents to see who is a good fit for you. Spend a few dollars on coffee (or beer, if you prefer) and get a feel for their tactics, their experience and specialty, if they listen to your needs, and whether or not your personalities vibe. Trust me, it will make the whole process smoother.

Want to grab a beverage and talk shop? Contact me!

The Difference Between Real Estate Agent and Broker

September 18, 2018July 9, 2018 by nickpiro

The Difference Between Real Estate Agent and Broker

There are essentially four different tiers of people you will interact with in real estate: real estate agents, realtors, real estate associate brokers, and real estate brokers.

The first tier, real estate agents, are professionals who passed the required classes and licensing exams in the state they plan to sell and buy real estate. They are required to work under a licensed broker (more on that below).

If a real estate agent wants to further his or her network, they can become a realtor, a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors who abides by the association’s code of ethics and rules (i.e. advocating for the right to own, use, and transfer real property ethically). Overall, the main difference in realtor vs real estate agent is the membership and potentially larger network. Like real estate agents, realtors must also work with a licensed broker.

If a real estate agent or realtor wishes to continue his or her education, they can become a real estate broker, someone who can work independently, like Joe Hoppis Real Estate, or employ other agents, like Bellwether Real Estate. The biggest difference here is that a broker can work independently. Note: a real estate agent does not have to become a realtor before becoming a real estate broker

There is also a real estate associate broker who is a real estate agent working on their broker’s license. The associate is also required to work under a licensed broker but can share in profits beyond the typical agent commission (typically 6% split 50-50 between the buying and selling agents).

What does a real estate agent do for you, anyway?

September 18, 2018June 1, 2018 by nickpiro

What does a real estate agent do for you, anyway?

Maybe you’re thinking of selling your home on your own, starting the buying process, or even becoming a real estate agent. Regardless, it’s important to understand what a real estate agent does.

First thing is first: money. You may be wondering, “how does a real estate agent get paid?” For the most part, agents don’t get paid until they close a deal. According to realtor.com, “for every hour an agent spends in your presence, he or she will spend an average of nine hours out of eyesight working on your behalf.” That’s a lot of time to make a deal!

Overall, the major roles of a real estate agent are to network, make the selling/buying process smoother, and to stay abreast of industry trends.

Whether you are buying or selling, a good real estate agent should have your interests at best and have some solid negotiation skills. But there are some specific characteristics for what an agent does when buying and when selling.

What does a real estate agent do for a buyer?

Introduce you to a trusted lender and get you pre-approved so you can start shopping, and shopping realistically, ASAP. Note: being pre-approved means your lender has verified your income, your employment, and run your credit.
Understand and help put your needs into words. Perhaps your agent may have to help you make your dreams more grounded and figure out what places you can concede.
Show you houses within your means.
Get the latest on new houses on the market with access to the MLS.
Have expertise on how other buyers and real estate agents will interact with a house on the market (AKA negotiation skills!).
Have access to show you homes privately on your own time rather than hitting open house after open house every Sunday.
Suggest other options you hadn’t thought of previously (while still staying within your means).
A good agent will introduce you to an inspector, stick around for the inspection, and even negotiate any home inspection requests.
Introduce you to brokers, if needed.

What does a real estate agent do for a seller?

Recommend staging options to turn your home over more quickly.
Hire a professional photographer to photograph your home in the best light from the best angles.
Organize and host an open house to attract potential buyers.
Tap their own network of potential buyers.
Get your house on the MLS system which feeds John L. Scott, Redfin, Bellwether Real Estate, Zillow, etc. In other words, it puts your listing across multiple websites, which means your house will get in front of more people’s eyes
As cheesy as it may sound, put a professional sign out front. Dealing with sell-by-owners can be a turn-off for many potential buyers who may prefer to rely on a third-party for a more fair price and smoother transaction.