Many agents if in the library would fall more in the Fiction section than in the Non-Fiction one. The Agent, Promoter will tell it more of what you want to hear, rather then like it is. Let’s try to dissect the truth from the fiction. To begin, all agents, like people, are not created equal. Many have integrity and try to do the right thing and many do not. Remember, people are in business primarily to make money, not to serve others and work for nothing. The typical agent only makes money when they close a deal. In the business listings are the best way to get buyers to use your services as an agent to buy your house or another one from your listing agent.

Where does the fiction begin? Typically, it starts with the agent making you think they have more experience and sales then they actually have. A number of agents have one or 2 weeks of training and few sales annually. You may socialize with them, go to church with them, or they may be suggested from a common friend. The facts are these are not good indicators of their ability or success. A better indicator would be some record of their longevity in the business and a computer printout of their prior sales. This is readily available in most MLS’s data banks. Check out the price ranges and locationsthat sales were accomplished by the agent. If the agent gets defensive about sharing this with you, don’t use them. If you are shy about this, blame it on your boss or mother.

The fiction continues when agents tell you that they can get you more than your home is worth. This is rhetoric designed to get the listing. When the house doesn’t sell, Tadacip the line comes across you are priced too high. They knew it to start with, but they wanted to have the listing to manipulate you to list with them. A way to check on the price objectively is have an independent appraiser appraise the house before you list.

The rest of the stories revolve around marketing. They promise you a lot. Much of it if they do it is worthless as far as getting buyers. It is promotional. Open houses, newspapers, agent open houses, magazines, and e-mails to agents are very improbable ways to get a buyer. The MLS, and the Internet is by far the best shot. Oh by the way, the agents bragging about selling your house almost never does. They list it and someone else sells it.

Now this is the rest of the story. I list over 100 houses a year and I can prove it. Most are sold by other agents which I tell my sellers. Location, price, and condition sell houses more then the listing agent. And, that is a fact, not fiction.

Author Bio: Joe Glad has been involved in real estate as a developer and working with agents for the past 10 years, primarily in the south. He spends most his time focusing on Columbia SC Real Estate where he follows the market very closely.

Category: Finance/Real Estate/Buying
Keywords: Real Estate Agents, Using a Real Estate Agent