We are thinking of buying a home. Who should we contact?
Contact a REALTOR first, to discuss the market, as well as your situation and needs. A REALTOR is well informed regarding various lending opportunities and can professionally assist you in the various steps and stages of the home buying process.
We have heard that we can buy or sell a home without using a REALTOR.
Is that a good idea?
You can learn a great deal when working on your own to buy or sell real estate, however there are a number of very costly mistakes that can be made. A REALTOR will save you time and money. REALTORS are familiar with the entire transaction process and will be such a valued advisor during what can be a very emotional, confusing, and stressful time in your lives.
Is that a good idea?
You can learn a great deal when working on your own to buy or sell real estate, however there are a number of very costly mistakes that can be made. A REALTOR will save you time and money. REALTORS are familiar with the entire transaction process and will be such a valued advisor during what can be a very emotional, confusing, and stressful time in your lives.
How is a REALTOR different from a real estate licensee?
Holding a real estate license or real estate brokers license does NOT make someone a REALTOR. The main thing that distinguishes a REALTOR from someone whos merely licensed by the state to sell real estate is the REALTOR Code of Ethics, which requires ALL REALTORS to put their clients Interests first at all times. Choosing a REALTOR means youve selected someone who is committed to continuing education, professionalism, and integrity. REALTORS participate in the multiple listing service (MLS), which gives you a distinct advantage whether youre selling your home or looking for that special property. The word REALTOR is a trademark of the National Association of REALTORS and its affiliates. It is a copyrighted word that only applies to specific people. Real Estate agents may only call themselves REALTORS if they belong to the National Association of REALTORS and have sworn to uphold its strict Code of Ethics.
Holding a real estate license or real estate brokers license does NOT make someone a REALTOR. The main thing that distinguishes a REALTOR from someone whos merely licensed by the state to sell real estate is the REALTOR Code of Ethics, which requires ALL REALTORS to put their clients Interests first at all times. Choosing a REALTOR means youve selected someone who is committed to continuing education, professionalism, and integrity. REALTORS participate in the multiple listing service (MLS), which gives you a distinct advantage whether youre selling your home or looking for that special property. The word REALTOR is a trademark of the National Association of REALTORS and its affiliates. It is a copyrighted word that only applies to specific people. Real Estate agents may only call themselves REALTORS if they belong to the National Association of REALTORS and have sworn to uphold its strict Code of Ethics.
What will my REALTOR do for me?
The main job of a REALTOR is to facilitate every part of the transaction for the buyer or seller. If a REALTOR is representing the Buyer, the REALTOR has agreed to assist the Buyer in finding a property, making decisions on the value of the property, preparing an offer on the property and working with the Mortgage Company, Title Company, and the Sellers agent to finalize the transaction.
The main job of a REALTOR is to facilitate every part of the transaction for the buyer or seller. If a REALTOR is representing the Buyer, the REALTOR has agreed to assist the Buyer in finding a property, making decisions on the value of the property, preparing an offer on the property and working with the Mortgage Company, Title Company, and the Sellers agent to finalize the transaction.
How does a REALTOR get paid?
Commissions are determined by the market, and buyers and sellers are able to negotiate with REALTORS to determine a fair payment arrangement. As with all negotiations, you ultimately get what you pay for, so consumers must evaluate each potential REALTOR, their services, and their reputation when making arrangements for compensation. REALTORS may choose to work at an hourly rate or a specific fee based on services provided, instead of on a commission bases. Each potential buyer or seller should discuss specific payment options and expectations at the very beginning of the working relationship.
Commissions are determined by the market, and buyers and sellers are able to negotiate with REALTORS to determine a fair payment arrangement. As with all negotiations, you ultimately get what you pay for, so consumers must evaluate each potential REALTOR, their services, and their reputation when making arrangements for compensation. REALTORS may choose to work at an hourly rate or a specific fee based on services provided, instead of on a commission bases. Each potential buyer or seller should discuss specific payment options and expectations at the very beginning of the working relationship.
How do I choose a REALTOR? What questions should I ask?
Choose a REALTOR with care, as you would a lawyer or doctor. Communication will be the key to your relationship with you REALTOR.
Choose a REALTOR with care, as you would a lawyer or doctor. Communication will be the key to your relationship with you REALTOR.
The following guidelines can help you locate the right REALTOR for you?
Talk with friends, neighbors, and co-workers who have recently bought or sold a home. What kind of service did they receive? Would they use the same REALTOR again?
Visit an open house. Were you shown the home in a professional manner? Did the agent know the property and how to market it?
Focus on real estate companies that specialize in residential sales. Look for sold signs in your area or ask neighbors who reperesented them in their purchase.
Talk with friends, neighbors, and co-workers who have recently bought or sold a home. What kind of service did they receive? Would they use the same REALTOR again?
Visit an open house. Were you shown the home in a professional manner? Did the agent know the property and how to market it?
Focus on real estate companies that specialize in residential sales. Look for sold signs in your area or ask neighbors who reperesented them in their purchase.
Be prepared to interview a potential REALTOR. Here are some great questions to ask:
How long have you worked in real estate? Is real estate your full-time job?
Real estate is a complex business. Experience and commitment definitely count.
Real estate is a complex business. Experience and commitment definitely count.
Are you a licensed REALTOR? Which REALTOR Association are you a member of? Do you belong to the MLS?
Licensees who cannot actually call themselves REALTORS have not sworn to up hold the professions Code of Ethics. REALTOR members of GDAR have access to the most updated real estate information and education. Also, members of GDARs MLS (Multiple Listing Service) can search through thousands of properties in the North Texas Area to find the properties that specifically meet your needs.
Licensees who cannot actually call themselves REALTORS have not sworn to up hold the professions Code of Ethics. REALTOR members of GDAR have access to the most updated real estate information and education. Also, members of GDARs MLS (Multiple Listing Service) can search through thousands of properties in the North Texas Area to find the properties that specifically meet your needs.
How many buyers and seller have you worked with in the past year? How many of them have closed a deal with you?
Closing on a home means completing the Real Estate transaction down to the final details of the contract and the transaction.
Closing on a home means completing the Real Estate transaction down to the final details of the contract and the transaction.
Do you have any assistants who work with you? What do they do?
Some REALTORS have a team of staff people to help meet customer needs faster and more efficiently. If your REALTOR does have assistants, make sure that the REALTOR personally handles any negotiations including the contract and closing. It is most acceptable for an assistant to handle paperwork and home tours.
Some REALTORS have a team of staff people to help meet customer needs faster and more efficiently. If your REALTOR does have assistants, make sure that the REALTOR personally handles any negotiations including the contract and closing. It is most acceptable for an assistant to handle paperwork and home tours.
Do you have any designations, certifications, or specialized training?
REALTORS learn as much as they can about the real estate business with continuing education. Some specialized education results in various designations or certifications for REALTORS. To learn more about REALTOR designations and what they mean, go to GDARs website at www.gdar.org and click on Education & Training, then on REALTOR Designations.
REALTORS learn as much as they can about the real estate business with continuing education. Some specialized education results in various designations or certifications for REALTORS. To learn more about REALTOR designations and what they mean, go to GDARs website at www.gdar.org and click on Education & Training, then on REALTOR Designations.
How do you stay in touch with your clients?
Communication is the key! Tell your REALTOR your preferences. If your REALTOR prefers to send e-mail, but you want to be phoned, the two of you will need to work out an agreeable communication plan.
Communication is the key! Tell your REALTOR your preferences. If your REALTOR prefers to send e-mail, but you want to be phoned, the two of you will need to work out an agreeable communication plan.
Do I have to sign a contract with a REALTOR?
Choose your REALTOR carefully. Wait until you are certain you have chosen a REALTOR that you feel comfortable with. Once you do elect to use a REALTOR as your buyers representative or as your listing agent, then you should have a written agreement before proceeding. Check your contract for a clause which allows you to dissolve the relationship with that REALTOR through a cancellation notice in writing, providing that the REALTOR has not already handled the majority of your transaction needs, such as finding your chosen property or negotiating a fair price for you.
Choose your REALTOR carefully. Wait until you are certain you have chosen a REALTOR that you feel comfortable with. Once you do elect to use a REALTOR as your buyers representative or as your listing agent, then you should have a written agreement before proceeding. Check your contract for a clause which allows you to dissolve the relationship with that REALTOR through a cancellation notice in writing, providing that the REALTOR has not already handled the majority of your transaction needs, such as finding your chosen property or negotiating a fair price for you.
What if I have a problem with my REALTOR?
REALTORS are required to uphold a strict Code of Ethics and treat their clients and customers with the highest levels of integrity, honesty and service. However, if you have a complaint, you should first contact your REALTORs Broker or office manager. If you cannot resolve your concerns with the Broker, you should contact the local REALTOR association. The public, as well as members of the association, can bring complaints before the associations professional standards committee. If warranted disciplinary action will then be taken by the association. Your REALTOR is also governed by the state real estate licensing laws set forth by the Texas Real Estate Commission. A real estate broker or licensee who is not a REALTOR is governed only by state licensing laws through the Texas Real Estate Commission.
REALTORS are required to uphold a strict Code of Ethics and treat their clients and customers with the highest levels of integrity, honesty and service. However, if you have a complaint, you should first contact your REALTORs Broker or office manager. If you cannot resolve your concerns with the Broker, you should contact the local REALTOR association. The public, as well as members of the association, can bring complaints before the associations professional standards committee. If warranted disciplinary action will then be taken by the association. Your REALTOR is also governed by the state real estate licensing laws set forth by the Texas Real Estate Commission. A real estate broker or licensee who is not a REALTOR is governed only by state licensing laws through the Texas Real Estate Commission.
Why would my REALTOR be motivated to make sure I stay satisfied long after the transaction?
According to a recent survey by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, the number one source of business for a REALTOR is referrals from former customers and clients. That means that your REALTOR is motivated to be certain that you are satisfied with his or her service from beginning to end in hopes that you will tell your friends and family about his or her performance. In addition, most REALTORS prefer to become a trusted counselor who will help a person or family purchase not one, but several, homes over a long period of time.
According to a recent survey by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, the number one source of business for a REALTOR is referrals from former customers and clients. That means that your REALTOR is motivated to be certain that you are satisfied with his or her service from beginning to end in hopes that you will tell your friends and family about his or her performance. In addition, most REALTORS prefer to become a trusted counselor who will help a person or family purchase not one, but several, homes over a long period of time.
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Coldwell Banker Apex, Realtors
4016 Rowlett Rd. • Rowlett, TX 75088
Kathy's (214)435-0688 • Stephen's (214)-213-2468
Zack's (214)-437-3584
