Purchasing real estate outside of your native country can be intimidating, but ten years ago I took the plunge and bought 80 acres of land in Costa Rica. Ocean view property in the US is out of reach for most of us, but I could own Costa Rica real estate with amazing jungle and ocean views and only a 15…
What are the 4 most important qualities a person should look for when you find a buyers agent? Loyalty. Make sure you work with an buyer agent who is in your court, representing your interests above all. At your first meeting, do not hesitate to ask the agent if they offer the option of being a buyers agent and how…
A most common question asked our staff is "How do real estate agents get paid?" Real estate agents typically get paid a commission out of the transaction at closing based on the sales price. The percentage built in to the sales price varies widely between different countries and different regions within the United States. For example, in the United Kingdom…
Not all of the best real estate agents have a string of designations after their names, but many of the best do. Here is a summary of some common real estate agent designations Designations to look for: ABR: Accredited Buyer Representative This accreditation helps teach real estate agents on how to better service buyers. The ABR designation can be obtained…
Realtor agents can offer customer or client levels of service. One of these choices provides more advocacy and protection to you as a buyer. What is the difference between a Realtor who acts as a buyer's agent and one who acts as a transaction broker? There is a huge difference between the roles of a “buyer's agent” and a “transaction…
Assess your wants and needs in a home by checking out this short video. You will want to do this step prior to choosing real estate agents: Other steps to take before meeting with a real estate agent: Examine the codes of ethics and standards of practice of trusted sources such as national and state associations. Learn about the…