"Tips
for Consumers: Selecting A Real Estate Agent"
quoted from the Better
Business Bureau
"Buying
a home involves making major decisions about where and how
you will live for many years, and often has very important
implications for your financial future."
"Check to make sure the the agent or broker you select
is properly licensed to practice in your state. Also contact
your local
Better Business Bureau
and
consumer agencies to check the broker or agent's complaint
record."
"Before starting out, prospective buyers should
remember that the agent or broker works for the seller of
the property. The agent can offer his or her knowledge
of the market and help in the preparation of contracts. But,
the agent cannot tell a buyer what the seller's bottom line
is, even if he or she has that information. Also, the
agent is required to tell the seller anything you mention
aloud; for example, how much you are prepared to
pay during negotiations."
"When you are ready to make an offer on a house, the
agent will write up a contract that presents your offer and
any conditions on the offer (e.g., a satisfactory inspection
or sale of your current residence). The agent transmits the
offer to the seller, as well as counteroffers between you
and the seller."
"Some home buyers do not feel comfortable working
only with an agent or broker who represents the seller, therefore
they choose a "buyer's broker" [Exclusive Buyer
Agent] to represent them. A buyer's broker can research
the area and type of house you're interested in. A buyer's
broker can suggest sale prices and terms that may differ greatly
from listing agreements, since he or she is obligated
to represent the buyer's interest, not the seller's."
THE
BUYER’S AGENT, Buyer Broker Real Estate
A Licensed Real Estate Brokerage
Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
#2000009396 |
