Whether you’re buying or selling a home, real estate agents can help you navigate

the complicated process. In addition to knowing the local market, good agents can

help you set realistic expectations and negotiate on your behalf.

Generating new business is central to the career of any real estate agent. Early in

the job, most agents focus on their sphere of influence — people they know well who

might be interested in buying or selling a property. This can include family

members, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Later, they may expand to online

marketing and cold calling. For more info https://www.readyhousebuyer.com/sell-my-house-fast-katy-tx/

When working with buyers, real estate agents often have access to properties that

aren’t yet listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). They can also use a database

to find homes that match the criteria you tell them — such as number of bedrooms

and bathrooms, neighborhood amenities and more. Real estate agents can also save

you time by weeding out unsuitable homes based on price, location or other factors.

If you’re selling, your agent can advise you on what repairs or upgrades might make

your home more appealing to potential buyers. They can also help you determine

the right asking price for your property. Setting a fair asking price is critical to selling

your home quickly and getting the most money from the sale.

Agents can help you decide if it makes sense to tackle a large home improvement

project before putting your house on the market. They can also offer advice on

negotiating, home inspections and other issues that might arise during the selling

process.

One thing that separates good agents from the rest is their knowledge of financing

options. They can connect you with lenders, help you understand mortgage terms

and requirements and answer any other questions you might have. They can also

inform you of programs that might benefit first-time buyers or those looking to buy a

condo or townhome.

In a hot housing market, agents can work hard to move the process along. They can

keep you updated on new listings, showings and sales in your area. They can also

provide advice on how to stage your home for showings and take professional quality

photos of your property.

Closing is a delicate process, and even a small mistake can delay or complicate the

deal. Your agent can help you avoid costly mistakes by checking and doublechecking

all the paperwork before it’s finalized.

Real estate agents work on commission, meaning they don’t get a regular paycheck

like salary employees. That can be an adjustment for those accustomed to receiving

a steady income. Savvy agents manage their finances by setting aside money in

savings and pension plans for the future, and some even hold another job to

supplement their income until they start earning commission checks regularly.

They can also recommend reputable financial professionals to help with everything from a

mortgage to retirement planning. You can find more articles by NerdWallet writers

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