Dealing with real estate agents can be as difficult to navigate as the housing market. Whilst a lot of them are very good at their jobs, some can be pushy and hard work, or just difficult to deal with. So whether you are trying to sell your property or buy a new one, here are 7 premium tips to deal with a real estate agent.
Open Houses
If you are selling your property and it doesn’t seem to be garnering the interest you expected, ask your real estate agent about an open house. Some may not offer this to you when you first start selling your property, but it is worth knowing that you can do this. Open houses have bene known to work and if you are really keen to sell your house, why not try it.
A House Is Only Worth What Someone Is Willing To Pay
When you are looking to buy a home that has been on the market for a while and is seemingly not selling, call the agent and ask to speak to them. Ask them questions such as how long it has been on the market and if the price has been dropped. If the house has been on the market for a long time, offer your price. Remember, house prices are generated by the owner and the agent who wants the job, they are merely an indicator and can be changed, especially if there is no interest in the property.
Have A Pen And Paper To Hand
Real estate agents like working with people who know what they are doing, irrespective if you have sold a property before, sound like you know how the market operates. Confirm any viewings, listings, visits and other items that are worthy of note. If you act professionally, your agent is more likely to warm to you and think that you know what you are doing, which could result in you being given first refusal on a variety of properties. So all you need to figure out the list of realtors to prefer an agent wisely.
Keep Your Cards Close To Your Chest
Real estate agents have a way with people, they are likable, charismatic and have a way with words, it can be very easy to be pulled into this and think they are doing their work out of the goodness of their hearts, but remember they are making a profit. If you are selling your home, don’t tell your real estate agent what the bottom line of what you are willing to accept is, as chances are you may end up with it in order to sell the property faster. Likewise, if you are buying a house don’t reveal your maximum figure, this way you can still keep funds on the back burner if your dream house comes up and they won’t accept a reduced offer. If you give away your maximums and minimums, you may well end up paying or being paid out at these rates.
Don’t Come Across As Being Desperate
It is easy to whip yourself into a frenzy, especially if your dream home comes on the market, but don’t let your real estate agent see this. Instead, remain cool and calm and express a healthy interest. If you come across as over eager and over desperate, then your real estate agent will see the opportunity to make more money out of you. Unfortunately, their job is to make a much in commission as possible and there is nothing stopping your agent from exacting a higher price out of you, especially when you have told them that this is your dream home.
Do Not Sign Forms That You Don’t Understand
Buying and selling property can be stressful, there is a plethora of paperwork that you need to go through, and some documents are so full of legal jargon that only a lawyer will be able to help you make sense of them. If at any point you are given a document to sign and you don’t understand it, take it to your lawyer. You should never be pressured to sign any paperwork in front of the agent on the day and they should be respectful of your wishes if you want to have a third party evaluate the contents of the documents. Most likely everything will be above board, but if you are ever unsure you can double check.
Be Ready To Buy
This may sound like a simple tip, but a lot of buyers actually aren’t ready to buy. You don’t need a real estate agent if you aren’t ready, you can easily go to open houses on your own and have a look around, only when you are ready should you contact a real estate agent. If you contact an real estate agent and you aren’t in the position to buy, you may well taint the relationship from the off, as other clients who are ready to buy will have to fight for time with the real estate agent.
Final Thoughts
With a bit of respect on both sides, you can really maximise your relationship with your real estate agent, whether you are buying or selling. Make sure that you come across as professional and keep appointments that you have made and never fully reveal your minimum or maximum to ensure that you get the best deal possible. Our 7 premium tips to deal with real estate agents will help you whether you are new to buying and selling homes or have done it on multiple occasions.