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