Real Estate Agent | Denver Metro Agents

Picking the Type of Real Estate Agent that is Right for You

December 24, 2011 By Brian Kinkade

Whether selling or buying a home, hiring a real estate agent is an important step in the process. Whether looking for Nashville real estate agents or those in Denver, however, it is important to first familiarize yourself with the various real estate agent titles and what these specialists can provide for you.

Real Estate Broker

Real estate brokers typically have more education and training than real estate agents. Furthermore, brokers must pass an exam that is longer and more difficult than the one required of agents. Due to their extra training and knowledge, brokers can work independently and can hire real estate agents to work for them.

Broker Associate

A broker associate is someone who has completed the schooling and tests necessary to become a broker, but who has chosen work for another real estate broker within a larger real estate network.

REALTOR®

Real estate brokers and real estate agents may choose to become a REALTOR®. While the term is often used interchangeably by laymen, a REALTOR® is actually someone who belongs to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Therefore, a broker or agent cannot use this title unless he or she has agreed to the NAR’s extensive Code of Ethics and has paid the annual dues. If a customer has a problem with a REALTOR®, he or she may file a complaint with the local board.

Listing Agent

Also referred to as a seller’s agent, the listing agent represents the interests of the seller. Therefore, when it comes to negotiating a deal, the listing agent will work to obtain the best deal possible for the person who is selling the property.

Selling Agent

Also referred to as the buyer’s agent or the buying agent, the selling agent represents the interests of the buyer. Some agents work exclusively on the behalf of the buyer, while others work with both buyers and sellers. Typically, these agents do not work with both the buyer and the seller in the same transaction.

Dual Agent

In some cases, an agent will represent both the buyer and the seller. A dual agency may also occur if two separate agents represent the buyer and seller, but both agents work for the same broker. This type of setup is uncommon, however, and is not legal in all 50 states.

Transaction Agent

Rather than representing either the buyer or the seller, the transaction agent does not represent either party. Instead, the transaction agent simply helps to facilitate the transaction.

About The Author – Josh Anderson specializes in Brentwood TN homes for sale as a Realtor with Keller Williams in Nasvhille, TN.

Real Estate Agent Interview Questions

January 19, 2011 By Lisa Udy

When buying or selling a home, most people choose to use the services of a real estate agent. Using a Denver real estate agent is a great idea, but make sure you take all the precautions necessary to choose a competent agent. Not all agents are created equal, and here are a few real estate agent interview questions to help you find the right one:

How Long Have You Been In The Business?

You want to find an agent who knows what they’re doing and a good indicator of that would be the amount of time they’ve been in the business. Ideally you want an agent that’s been in the business for at least 3-5 years or at least a new agent with a mentor who’s been in the business for a while.

Are You A Full Time Agent?

A full time agent is dedicated to their business as it’s the only income they have coming in. A part time agent may have another job making it difficult to stay in contact during the real estate process. Real Estate is a timely process so be sure to choose an agent who will be available when you need them.

How Do You Fit Into My Real Estate Needs?

All real estate markets are local and within each market their may be certain niches one agent excels at over another. If you’re looking to buy new construction you may need an agent experienced with that market. While a real estate agent who specializes in condo developments would be better if you’re looking to buy a condo.

On the other hand if you’re a seller and you’re underwater, you may need to seek the advice of a short sale specialist. If you hire an agent that’s never closed a short sale transaction, you may be left in foreclosure. You can avoid these complications by asking what type of experience they have related to your specific needs.

Do You Have The Help Of Assistants?

Almost every agent I know has some sort of assistant or team to help them with their daily tasks. Find out if your agent has someone who can help you in case they are unavailable.

Here at my office I have two full time licensed assistants who can do anything I can. Great assistants are invaluable to a real estate agents business and they can make your transaction seem like a breeze.

What Makes You The Best Agent For Me?

Give them a chance to tell you why they are the best agent for you. If they go blank when you ask this question, you might want to reconsider working with that agent. As a real estate agent I have spent 10 years making sure I stand out from everyone else, it’s basic real estate 101. If you’re agent can’t give you a reason why they’re the best, they probably aren’t.

Choosing the right agent is pretty simple if you ask the right questions. Here is a small checklist you can take with you when interviewing real estate agensts:

Contact Information: Phone/Emails/Facebook?
Are They Internet Savvy?
Where Are You Located?
Number Of Homes Sold This Year And Career?
Clients Currently Working With?
Work Schedule? Days? Nights? Weekends? Holidays?
Availability Of Assistants?
Testimonials And References?

Pick the best agent you shouldn’t expect anything less. Buying a home is going to be the largest financial decision you ever make in your life. Don’t assume every agent can close a deal in a timely manner without you losing your dream home or going into foreclosure. There’s a reason why 10% of agents do 90% of the business in real estate, they know what they’re doing while the others just don’t stack up.

About The Author: Lisa Udy is the principal broker of Platinum Real Estate Group, a Logan Utah real estate company. Her websites provide robust information on the local market including Logan Utah homes for sale, Logan neighborhoods, and Logan Utah condos.

Filed Under: Real Estate Blog Tagged With: Interview Questions, Real Estate Agent

3 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent Who Has Experience Buying and Selling in Your Neighborhood

December 17, 2010 By Eric Bramlett

When it comes to finding a real estate agent, you might think that all agents are created equally. After all, they all have to go through the same basic training and, if they all have the same number of years of experience, it really shouldn’t matter who you pick, right?

In reality, this couldn’t further from the truth. While experience is certainly an important factor to consider, it is even more important to consider where this experience has taken place.

Reason #1: Tapping Into the Professional Network

The simple truth is that a good real estate agent will forge a relationship with a number of different services that could be important to their clients. From mortgage lenders to contractors who can perform repairs, by forging these relationships with reputable businesses, your real estate agent can help make the buying or selling process even easier on you. By working with a real estate agent who is experienced with the area in which you wish to move or the area where your home will be sold, your agent will be able to more effectively assist you throughout the entire process.

Reason #2: Drawing on the Real Estate Agent’s Knowledge

Working with a real estate agent who has experience working in your particular neighborhood is also beneficial because you can draw upon all of the specialized knowledge that the agent has. Not only will the agent be able to tell you about things such as taxes or any applicable HOA fees, but the agent will also be familiar with any annual celebrations or other events that might take place in the area. Be filling you in on those things that only the locals would know, you can better determine if that particular neighborhood is the right fit for you. If you are selling your house, on the other hand, the agent’s knowledge of these types of things will help him or her get your home sold more quickly.

Reason #3: Getting Familiar with the Neighborhood

If you are purchasing a home, hiring an agent who is familiar with the neighborhood in which you are considering moving is beneficial because you can more easily get familiar with the neighborhood. In addition to taking you on a tour of the house, the agent can show you the ins and outs of the neighborhood. From grocery stores to banks and other every day needs, getting familiar with the neighborhood’s resources can help you better determine if it is really the place you want to live. If you are selling your home, on the other hand, having an agent who can show these things to potential buyers will give you a much better chance of selling your home quickly and for the price you are after.

Filed Under: Real Estate Blog Tagged With: Denver Real Estate Agents, Real Estate Agent