Buying Your Home or Selling Your Home
    
Question: Not looking at enough Houses for Sale?
Answer: Never worry that you may see too many houses. It's almost impossible to look at too many houses. The more you see, the more you'll learn about what you want and what each house is worth. Don't let an impatient real estate agent try to close on a house you do not want. If he or she is tired of showing you houses; there are many more agents who will. It is however time effective for both you and the agent that you pre-determine as far as possible your broad needs and wants before hand as to help the agent to identify the most suitable house to show you. For more information. 

Question: Not making a low offer ?
Answer: Only make an offer for what you think the house is worth. If the seller declines your offer you have lost nothing. He or she can always make a counter-offer and you can counter-offer again until you find a suitable price, or you can walk away.

Question: Not making the correct price comparisons
Answer: Few houses actually sell for the asking price so don't assess the value of a house only on the asking price. Real Estate Agents are able to compile reports that reflect and compare the selling price of similar houses recently sold in the same area. (These reports are commonly referred to in the industry as Comparative Market Analysis or “CMA”). Agents can also tell you which houses did not sell and were withdrawn or expired. This will allow you to make a more accurate decision whether the asking price is market related.

Question: Forgetting to calculate all the costs 
Answer: Remember when calculating the maximum price you can afford to include all the many hidden costs you might initially be thinking of. This can easily be as mush as 10% of the Home Purchase Price and should be deducted of the total to leave you a safety net. To determine your specific circumstances ask a lending institution to calculate your price range. They will do this for you at no charge, as they need this information to provide a mortgage and hope to get your business. Many real estate agents can also assist with this calculation.

Question: Fear of losing a specific house
Answer: Don't fall in love with the first house you see. Also beware of getting hooked on a specific house so much that you throw caution to the wind. There are many houses and houses come onto the market all the time. Take your time, within reason of course. Frequently the best deal is just around the corner.

Question: Not looking past the interior decorating or cosmetic improvements
Answer: Don't choose a house just because you like the interior decorating. That is not what you are buying and usually will go all go with the Seller when he moves. Look past any cosmetics improvements such as recent paint and wallpaper, quickly redone gardens, etc. Remember to check out the actual structure of the house itself. You should also investigate the piping, roofing, electricity, etc. Those are the things, that if faulty, you will have to deal with later on.

Question: How do I determine a price?
Answer: This process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms, and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

Question: How do I determine a marketing plan?
Answer: The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the saleability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your agent acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. Advertising is part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some areas, newspaper advertising generates phone calls to the real estate office but statistically has minimum effectiveness in selling a specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. Your real estate agent will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate.

Question: What about security when my home is listed?
Answer: When the property is marketed with the agent help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Agents will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

Question: Do I have to to agree to the first contract placed on my home?
Answer: The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and sellers, as noted above under the buying process. Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections, and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

Question: Monitoring, Renegotiating and Closing
Answer: Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

Question: Can a real estate agent really help me in buying and selling property?
Answer: The answer is YES! When you're ready to think about buying or selling your property, you need to ask yourself the following questions: · Do you have the time, energy, sources of information, and contacts to do the job yourself? · If you were one of the 'do-it-yourself' people, would the results be as good or better than they would be if you had professional assistance? · Would it have gone smoother? · Would it have given you more personal time? · Would you have purchased for less, or sold for more, if a real estate agent was involved?