5. Market Conditions Information

Real estate agents can disclose market conditions,

which will govern your selling or

buying process. Many factors determine

how you will proceed. Data such as the average

per square foot cost of similar homes,

median and average sales prices, average

days on market and ratios of list-to-sold

prices, among other criteria, will have a

huge bearing on what you ultimately decide

to do.

6. Professional Networking

Real estate agents network with other professionals,

many of whom provide services

that you will need to buy or sell. Due to legal

liability, many agents will hesitate to recommend

a certain individual or company over

another, but they do know which vendors

have a reputation for efficiency, competency

and competitive pricing. Agents can,

however, give you a list of references with

whom they have worked and provide background

information to help you make a

wise selection.

7. Negotiation Skills & Confidentiality

Top producing agents negotiate well because,

unlike most buyers and sellers, they

can remove themselves from the emotional

aspects of the transaction and because they

are skilled. It’s part of their job description.

Good agents are not messengers, delivering

buyer’s offers to sellers and vice versa.

They are professionals who are trained to

present their client’s case in the best light

and agree to hold client information confidential

from competing interests.

8. Handling Volumes of Paperwork

One-page deposit receipts were prevalent

in the early 1970s. Today’s purchase agreements

run 10 pages or more. That does not

include the federal- and state-mandated

disclosures nor disclosures dictated by local

custom. Most real estate files average

thicknesses from one to three inches of

paper. One tiny mistake or omission could

land you in court or cost you thousands. In

some states, lawyers handle the disclosures,

thank goodness!

9. Answer Questions After Closing

Even the smoothest transactions that close

without complications can come back

to haunt. For example, taxing authorities

that collect property tax assessments, doc

stamps or transfer tax can fall months behind

and mix up invoices, but one call to

your agent can straighten out the confusion.

Many questions can pop up that were

overlooked in the excitement of closing.

Good agents stand by ready to assist. Worthy

and honest agents don’t leave you in

the dust to fend for yourself.

10. Develop Relationships for Future Business

The basis for an agent’s success and continued

career in real estate is referrals. Few

agents would survive if their livelihood was

dependent on consistently drumming up

new business. This emphasis gives agents

strong incentives to make certain that clients

are happy and satisfied. It also means

that an agent who stays in the business

will be there for you when you need to

hire an agent again. Many will periodically

mail market updates to you to keep you informed

and to stay in touch.