Some agents inflate their marketing plan, making it seem that your house
will get a lot more exposure than it actually will. Then, once you give
them the listing, you rarely hear from them and cant find much about
your house in advertisements or online. Before you sign up, ask to see
the marketing plan in detail, including which websites will be used and
how much time the agent plans to spend. If you dont think your house is
being marketed enough, say so. Dozens of states require a sellers
disclosure, but what the seller and the real estate agent must disclose
can vary depending on the state. For example, some states require
disclosure of common natural disasters in the area like earthquakes or
mudslides. Others require disclosure of noise pollution problems. Before
buying a house, research the area and see whether any previous natural
disasters could have damaged the house. Then, ask a home inspector to
look out for warning signs. For other problems, visit at different times
of the day to get a feel for the location. https://buyerzones.wordpress.com/
The referrals you get from an agent might not be the best deal available
to you. For example, agents may refer you to a mortgage broker they
know, or connect you with a home inspector who may not be as objective
and thorough as one you find yourself. You probably know that a real
estate commission is split between the sellers and buyers agents. What
you may not realize is that the commission is negotiable. Bring it up in
your discussions. While youre at it, know that everything else in your
contract is negotiable too. So, haggle a bit to get the best terms. Real
estate agents are loyal to whomever theyre working for. If you meet a
nice agent at an open house and strike up a conversation, keep in mind
that the real estate agent is working for the seller, not you. Dont tell
the sellers agent anything you wouldnt tell the seller directly such
as how much you plan to spend, how soon you need to move or what youre
willing to overlook in the way of needed repairs. https://realestatebuyers.hatenablog.com/
