house with all the amenities, but with knob-and-tube wiring or a 40-year-old roof might not be worth the asking price. According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Home Guide, if you decide to buy with the intention of building an addition, the agent should advise you to check the zoning before making an offer. Moreover, if there is a Homeowner's Association (aka HOA), you may need to consult with them as well and get approval for certain home modifications. You may choose to agree to sign a buyer’s agency agreement after you have met with an agent. Some people sign an agency agreement after attending a showing given by the agent. Working with a seller’s agent is a mistake, according to an article by Amy Fontinelle of Forbes’ Investopedia. Any information you reveal may become leverage that the seller can use in a purchase negotiation. An exclusive buyer’s agent is legally required to maintain your confidentiality, disclose material facts to you, and maintain loyalty to you. These are fiduciary duties.
RESEARCH LICENSING
Your state will have a license board for all active real estate Realtors® and agents, which you can easily access. You will also be able to see their information, disciplinary actions, complaints, or any other information that you’ll need to help influence your decision — especially since most of the information is now posted online. In Florida, go to www.myfloridalicense.com to verify a license!
GIVE THE “WHAT ELSE” TEST
A good agent will know about all the other properties for sale in the area. Also, a good agent always does their research regarding the events in the current market, and those that are out there for the taking. In short, you want an agent who’s an expert of the current market, and someone who always stays on top of things.
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