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It's always a good market in real estate when you know what you're doing. Structuring transactions, arranging financing and finding the right buyers are some of the keys to success. There are few entities that know as much about the trends in today's market as your local real estate agent or broker.
Real estate has become a very complicated business. Selling (or buying) a home can be one of the most important financial transactions in your life. That's why it pays to work with a professional who specializes in this field -- a licensed real estate agent or broker.
Becoming a licensed agent or broker requires thorough training and examination. Real estate professionals: The State of Minnesota requires continuing education in real estate for license renewal. These specialists are compensated on their ability to sell properties quickly and cost-efficiently.
Why It Pays to Use a Professional
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When you use a licensed real estate agent, you'll appreciate the benefit of his/her professional experience immediately. Your agent will help you establish a fair market value of your property from his or her daily dealings in your neighborhood.
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If you wish to participate in financing the purchase of your property, your agent or broker can structure a workable financing plan.
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Real estate agents are professionals at marketing properties -- that's their job. They can choose the media -- and the message -- that brings interested prospects to your home. They'll interview and qualify buyers for you. They'll use their sales skills and negotiating techniques to help you receive the best possible sales price.
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Brokers typically have a steady stream of prospects. National referral networks and multiple listing services also help to reach buyers from out of town -- or out of state. Many corporate relocation clients may be working with a broker before a move is made.
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When you work with an agent or broker, they will follow-up with other agents who have shown your property and share their constructive comments on cosmetic repairs, financing arrangements, or re-evaluating your list price.
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An agreement between buyer and seller is just the beginning of a final transaction. From that point on your agent or broker can handle the details and paperwork necessary to complete the transaction.
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Your agent or broker will give you advance estimates of your closing costs and net proceeds from the sale, as well as keep you informed of the details to assure a smooth and timely closing.
When You Make the Sale
A vital part of any sale is title insurance. Lenders usually require a loan policy to protect their interests, and buyers need an owner's policy to protect their interests. Be sure to ask your agent or broker for protection from Lawyers Title. Your title insurance policy will be backed up by the resources of a National Title Insurance Underwriter. Lawyers Title is an agent for First American Title Insurance Company and Old Republic National Title Insurance Company. Your Lawyers Title closing agent is an integral part of your agent's or broker's closing team.
If You Are Buying a Home
For most of us, a home is the single biggest purchase in our lives. Finding the right home is no easy undertaking. Just as you wouldn't buy a car, computer or camcorder without doing some research into various models and prices, you shouldn't consider purchasing a home without some expert advice and guidance. Though some people may think of using the services of a real estate professional only when selling their homes, a real estate professional can be invaluable when buying a home as well.
For instance, a real estate professional can help you determine how much home you can afford based on your financial situation, help you get prequalified for a loan, and even inform you about available financing options. A real estate professional can provide detailed information about schools, transportation, local taxes and community characteristics. Using a real estate professional also means gaining access to homes listed in Multiple Listing Service (MLS), an important marketing tool used by real estate professionals to inform other real estate professionals about available properties. In Short, real estate professionals can give you information about a wide range of available homes from which to choose. When it comes to finding out if you're paying too much, a real estate professional can provide you with market analyses comparing asking and selling prices of homes in the neighborhood. Finally, a real estate professional can serve as the liaison between you and the seller, bringing to the table negotiating expertise and knowledge about required disclosures and the housing market.
Where do you find a real estate professional?
Like finding any good professional, the best way to locate a real estate professional is through recommendations from friends or those who have bought or sold homes recently. Ask for references and check each thoroughly. Also, interview several real estate professionals before you make your final decision.
It's important to find a professional who is a REALTOR®. Why? A REALTOR® is someone who, as a member of the local, state, and national trade associations, adheres to a strict code of ethics. Recently, the National Association of REALTORS® commissioned a nationwide survey to determine whether real estate professionals were doing their job professionally. The results were impressive: 97 percent of respondents indicated they received "excellent" or "very good" service from their REALTOR®.