| When going to buy or sell a home, your first step | | | | The real estate agent, through their broker, has |
| should be finding an honest and hard-working | | | | access to all of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) |
| realtor. You can find a real estate agent by | | | | listed homes in your area of interest. If you are a |
| keeping an eye out for advertisements, calling | | | | home buyer, the realtor can provide you with |
| your local real estate broker, or through the | | | | information about homes for sale that meet your |
| internet. Some popular real estate brokers are | | | | criteria. They will then bring you to these homes |
| Century 21, Remax, Keller Williams, and Coldwell | | | | and let you inside to see them. If you are selling a |
| Banker, just to name a few. | | | | home, the realtor will list your home in the MLS, |
| The role of a real estate agent is to represent | | | | post a "For Sale" sign in your yard, and hold open |
| your best interests in a real estate transaction. | | | | houses to attract buyers. Be wary of discount |
| They work off of a commission, normally 6% of | | | | realtors that offer to list your home for a lower |
| the sales price of the home. In most cases, that | | | | commission. Studies show that, in most cases, |
| commission is split equally between the realtor | | | | your home will stay on the market longer and |
| representing the buyer and the realtor | | | | you end up selling it for a lower price than what |
| representing the seller. For a person buying a | | | | you intended. |
| home, the service of the real estate agent is | | | | A real estate transaction is a complicated process |
| free, because commission is paid by the seller. | | | | that involves many steps and is best done with |
| The buyer, however, is responsible for most of | | | | the help of a trained, licensed professional. A |
| the closing costs. The closing costs will be | | | | realtor can save you the headache of dealing with |
| explained to you by your realtor and will be on | | | | the other party in the sale, getting together the |
| the documents you sign when you go to the title | | | | contract, and submitting all the documents to the |
| company. Closing costs can also be negotiated on | | | | title company. So when you are ready to buy or |
| during the contract process. | | | | sell a house, contact the local real estate agent. |