Simply put, a real estate agent is someone licensed to list and sell real estate, including homes, multi-family properties, commercial and industrial buildings. A Realtor®, however, is somewhat different. A Realtor® is a member of the National Association of Realtors®. While an agent is always a real estate agent, a real estate agent isn’t always a Realtor®. Real estate agents who work on behalf of the buyer's best interests are commonly called buyer’s agents. All listing agents represent the seller, but other agents who don’t have buyer-agency agreements with prospective buyers — even though they may show homes to those buyers — are working on behalf of the seller and must obtain the best price they can for the seller. In contrast, buyer’s agents work on commission, which is contracted in the listing agreement. When a buyer’s agent brings the buyer, the listing agent must split the contracted commission with the buyer’s agent.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST AGENT FOR YOUR NEEDS UR NEEDS
You might feel the urge to pick the first real estate agent who appeals to or approaches you, but that’s something to avoid. As with any profession, there are degrees of professionalism, dedication, and experience. The “wow factor” will simply wear off. Meet with prospective buyer's agents in their offices. A good buyer’s agent will want to know whether you’re pre-approved for a loan by a lender, what kind, and what are the terms of the loan. They should spend adequate time listening to your needs. They should listen more than they talk and ask questions. Is the agent taking notes?
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