What to Ask a Florida Real Estate Agent
Choosing the right real estate agent is a vital part of the home buying process. As you review Florida mortgage options, remember the following questions to ask of any potential Realtor…
What are your professional qualifications?
Look for someone who is a full-time Realtor; i.e. a professional who belongs to the National Association of Realtors. These individuals subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are committed to ongoing real estate education. A full time professional will also likely be able to connect you with home appraisers, home inspectors and lawyers.
Ask whether your agent is a disclosed dual agent. This means he/she is allowed to act on your behalf, while also representing the person selling the house to you. It’s best to avoid this potential conflict of interest by hiring an agent who will work for you alone.
How do you get your business?
It’s a good sign if most an agent’s business is repeat or referral. Someone who has satisfied past Florida mortgage borrowers is more likely to satisfy you, too.
How often will you keep in touch with me?
Your Florida Realtor should spend at least an hour or two with you initially to get a feel for what you’re looking for. After that, he should get in touch with you whenever new listings in the area/price range you want arise, taking you to see houses at your earliest convenience. In some markets or areas of the country, this could mean daily e-mails or telephone conversations.
If your agent shows you a home that isn’t suitable, he ought take the time to find out why and tailor your subsequent home viewings accordingly. Even if the house of your dreams isn’t on the housing market yet, your agent should be calling you at least once a week to advise you on various trends. It’s a good idea to ask how soon your agent will return your calls. It should be by the end of the same day.
Will I be working with you alone, or with a member of your team?
A busy agent may hire employees to handle administration or other aspects of the business. There’s nothing wrong with a team effort to help you buy a home, but make sure it will be your agent who searches for the best listings, takes you to see properties, negotiates on your behalf, and reviews the final contract with you.
How much will your services cost?
Most Florida real estate agents are paid entirely by commission. Typically, this is four to six percent of the selling price. The exact percentage depends on factors such as the type of property and its value. You don’t have to come up with this money. In most areas, the seller pays the commission out of the selling price. Ask if there will be any other fees such as administrative costs.
How will you find me a home?
All Realtors should subscribe to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which gives them access to the listings of other agents both in their town and all across the country. If you’re planning on moving outside the U.S., you’ll want an agent who also subscribes to RELO, which lists properties from around the world.
Your agent should also be able to direct you to look for homes on his or her corporate website, where you may be able to take “virtual tours” of prospective properties online.
SOURCE: Lending Tree
