Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. Whether you're…
Imagine yourself finally achieving your “American Dream”. You started off looking at houses until you find the one that fits your wants and needs. There was a number listed on a sign in front of the house and you immediately called it. From start till closing, everything seemed to be smooth and easy. Little did you know, it was the listing agent you were talking to. Voila! You just paid the full listed price of the home because the agent made you feel you might lose it if you didn’t act quickly.. What went wrong? Find out how to hire the right agent in this article.
The example given above is a common mistake consumers make when buying a home. That is also the exact scenario that happened with Kathleen Chiras, CEO of Skyfor Inc. In the late 80s, she and her husband purchased a home in Evergreen, CO where they paid the full listing price of the home. After her divorce 8 years later, she decided to make a life-long career of helping buyers and sellers understand the “real estate game”. In this way, they’d be in charge of the process and they could utilize the agent to most benefit them. This insider’s view of the real estate industry helps consumers be in control of the process and to avoid getting hooked up with the wrong agent.
The “Real Estate Game”
The majority of real estate agents are compensated through commissions. Exactly how agents get paid is one of the most commonly asked questions on the internet because many times agents would prefer to not go into detail about their commissions.
Most homes for sale have got the agent’s commission built-in which is why agents don’t require upfront fees. They don’t earn anything until closing. In other words, their service appears free upfront. A commission is usually a percentage of the property’s selling price, although it can be a flat fee. In a typical sale, about half the commission built in the seller agent fee and a half for the buyer agent. So, if the company owns the listing, they can keep both sides of the commission. And there’s a potential conflict of interest there.
Can buyers contact the listing agents and buy the property with them? They surely can, but it is risky, and their interests won’t be served. How can I say so? Simply because the listing agent has already written agreement with the seller to get their client the highest price and best terms. Buyers have another option of just representing themselves, but that can be challenging. It takes a lot of preparation and years of experience for a successful negotiation and closing. Just like what the saying goes, “it takes two to tango.” So, a good partnership is the key.
How to Hire the Right Agent?
According to the statistics from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there are 1,383,010 licensees in the United States as of January 2019. 87% of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker—a share that has steadily increased from 69% in 2001. Seven percent of the buyers bought their home from the agent they saw on the yard or open house sign. Six percent purchased from agents recommended by family and friends, and the rest found their agent through an internet search. With such a big number, how are you going to know the right one? Are these available resources the best choice?
To better help consumers hire the right agent, the Buyer Agent Search Service by Skyfor Inc. released a new series of exclusive video interviews with the top real estate buyer agents throughout the country. New videos are added every month. The agent interviewed in this series possess extensive knowledge, skills and years of expertise that make them work for their buyers well. They have also been consistently rated “10+” by their clients. Skyfor’s “10+” rating can only be attained if the agent is reviewed over many years as an excellent agent by consumers and Skyfor staff. This series is a great reference especially for first-time buyers as the service advocates a researched and well-thought-out selection process.
Buyer Agent Search Service Interview Series
In the video series, consumers will learn the educational backgrounds of the agents, the amenities and town they serve, and how they guide buyers in their next real estate transaction. Each video in the series features a top buyer agent in a specific town/area. The agents interviewed answers five critical questions that are relevant to the selection process. The questions answered are:
- What are the interesting/unique things about living in the area?
- Can you tell the median price of a 3 bedroom/ 2-bathroom home in the area?
- What would you tell a potential buyer to prepare to move to the area?
- Share us the most memorable experience with a recent client in helping them with the purchase.
- As a buyer agent, how do you protect homebuyers?
Watch the interview series here:
These questions will highlight the agents’ work ethic, knowledge of the area, and how they take good care of their clients.
Start Finding the Best Agents!
Buying or selling a home is a big investment. You wouldn’t want to waste even a single penny on something that wouldn’t serve your interests and preferences. The Buyer Agent Search Service by Skyfor Inc. makes the selection process easier for the consumers who want to either purchase or sell their home. They provide free consultations and recommendations of the top buyer or seller agents in any town in the United States. The agents from their network undergo evaluations to make sure they continue to provide a great quality of service. If they don’t meet or sustain the strict standards, they will be removed from the national association network. Thus, Skyfor’s Buyer Agent Search service has become a trusted and reliable source of top agents for over 20 years.
With just a click away, consumers can easily hire the right agent by filling out the online form and receive a list of top agents for a specific area. Feel free to also call 800-383-7188, Mondays through Sundays and talk with any of the staff or Kathleen Chiras herself for a free assessment of your purchase or selling needs anywhere in the United States and Costa Rica.