"Let's Talk About Real Estate"
by Thomas Ervin
If you are planning on purchasing a home, you will be faced
with many decisions. Should you try to sell your esisting home
before buying the next one? What area would best suite your needs?
What price range can you afford? Which home would be the best
choice from an investment perspective? When do you know that
you have seen enough homes in order to make an informed decision?
Before addressing these questions, however, you have another
decision that should be made before those listed above. Which
REALTOR® shall I choose to help me get the help and answers
I need? Real estate transactions are becoming more complicated.
Because of this, it is in your best interest to work with a professional
when making a buying decision of this magnitude.
Some buyers like to leave their name with
three or four salespeople. Although it may seem to be to the
buyer's advantage to have a number of people to work with, it
is usually a very ineffective approach. The basic assumption
is that a committee of agents can produce more results than working
exclusively with one REALTOR®. Like most committee assignments,
results are often discouraging.
You need the total commitment of one person
who knows and understands your particular situation. My advice
is the find a REALTOR® whom you feel will get the results
you need. Tell this person that you will work with her exclusively
as long as you see the effort required to get the job done. In
this way, you will have a dedicated agent who will take on the
personal responsibility of handling all the details of your home
purchase.
You see, REALTORS® are paid on a straight commission basis.
They don't receive a salary. They are not on an expense account.
They are paid only after they sell something. This is why working
with more than one agent is not a good idea. None of the REALTORS®
know if it will be financially worthwhile to spend much of their
time with you because they know that you may buy through another
agent. So, you don't get the total dedication you need by playing
the field. If a REALTOR® knows that you will be loyal to
her, you will provide all the motivation that is necessary. Your
REALTOR® can go to work knowing that all the effort will
be rewarded.
Thomas Ervin is a nationally syndicated real estate columnist
and author.