charlotte lifestyle july/august
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test, wood-destroying insect inspections, home repairs,
etc…. leading up to the Closing (also called Settlement) on
your property.
The most important factor can often be to choose
someone you LIKE…because for the next several months
you will be working together. Ask friends and family
members for references; interview agents until you
find one that you are comfortable with. Make sure their
personality meshes with yours. Years of experience should
not always be the deciding factor. Many times an agent
with less experience may have a smaller client base which
may actually mean that they are able to give YOU more
personalized attention.
Following these few steps will take a lot off your already
full plate, create a level of confidence you need during a
busy time, and insure you get the right price for your
home. Your Realtor will quickly become a part of your life.
And once you close and set sail on your next journey in
life you may also find you have made a real friend along
the way.
employ the use of drone photography for aerial views, or 3
dimensional virtual tours that can be viewed on-line.
4 You will also want to select someone who pays great
attention to detail and is a good negotiator. Having an
agent with great skills in these areas will benefit you greatly.
A full service agent who “wins you over” for your listing is
probably someone you want on your side when it comes to
negotiations with perspective buyers.
5 There are no set compensation structures in real
estate. The compensation your agent receives is always
negotiable. In the majority of Full Service listings the
compensation is paid by the Seller, so make sure the rate
you are negotiating is in-line with your set of expectations
for service.
6 Set expectations at the start. “Full-Service” brokerages,
take professional photos of your property for MLS.
They will have professional signage that may include their
office number, cellphone number, website address and
virtual tour links. They may offer 4-color flyers/brochures
of your property and hold Open Houses where they spend
time with prospective buyers. Make these agreements
before you sign a contract so that all parties have consistent
expectations.
7 Understand limitations. It seems there are new
companies springing up every day. Many are NOT
Full Service brokerages. They may offer to get your listing
into the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a lower
percentage or flat fee, but their services may end at
that point. You could be left to market your property,
schedule showings, evaluate offers and handle all
negotiations.
The relationship between a real estate agent and their
client is called a fiduciary relationship. The word fiduciary
means “faithful servant”. An agent owes his or her client
the fiduciary duties of: Accounting, Care, Confidentiality,
Disclosure, Loyalty and Obedience. This means that they
have a duty to act in YOUR best interest. Do not take this
lightly…… your agent will negotiate not only sales price,
but ALL the terms of the offer. Your agent will oversee and
coordinate home inspections, property appraisals, radon