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Local Foreclosure Info |
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For a list of
local foreclosures in Bucks County and other
real estate investment opportunities - be
sure to view our foreclosure center.
Get Started >> |
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How To Find a Bucks County
Agent
You are ready to sell your
home or purchase your dream home – now what should you do to
find an agent in Bucks County?
Most people go by word of mouth or referrals, while others
chose someone who sold a home near them or an agent they saw
in the local paper. This article we are going to challenge
you with some thoughts and equip you with questions to ask
when you do find the ideal Bucks County agent.
When you receive a referral or select the agent you want to
use, be sure that you are not using them for any other
reason then they are your best solution. A friend, family
member or a trusted referral can cost you thousands, if the
agent does not fit your needs. With the majority of people
using and agent and not being 100% satisfied, you must dig
harder than you normally desire and make sure you hire the
right person for the job.
We suggest identifying 3-6 agents in your area and asking
them similar questions. Listen to their responses and
compare them. Then add in the other factors, such as
experience, time they took to return a call, how thoroughly
they answered your questions, how intuitive they were to
your needs, how attentive their office was towards your
needs and how well they communicated. Do not be afraid to
ask for referrals also. Although an agent would likely never
give you a negative referral, you can find out the strengths
of the agent by talking to their past clients.
Here are some questions you want to ask:
1. Do you work full time or part time as a Bucks County
real estate agent?
a. An agent who cannot focus on your needs during the
week will not make an ideal agent. Most people assume their
agent is fulltime, but come to find out they are hard to
reach because they work a second job!
2. Is your license in good standing?
a. You assume it is, but this is not always the case.
Obvious questions can be a life savor, so ask them!
3. How many years of experience do you have in Bucks
County?
a. Experience is key, but even more important are
results. A young agent does not mean fewer results, but be
careful. If the agent has less experience, then make sure
you do more research before choosing them.
4. How would you assess the current market for
selling/buying in Bucks County?
a. An agent that inflates the appearance of the market
conditions is a sales person, so be careful. You want an
honest opinion and not one that is full of hot air.
5. How long have you sold homes in the Bucks County area?
a. An established agent in a specific area is ideal,
because they know the market and the needs of the buyers.
This does not means someone with less experience in the area
means fewer results, but an agent who has sold many homes in
your area is a plus.
6. How many other clients (sellers and buyers) do you
represent?
a. An agent who is swamped with clients will give you
less time. If their number is excessive, then be sure to ask
details about their office, if they use assistants and how
they can meet your needs with excessive clients. Also, watch
closely, because many agents are well organized and this
will show by calls being returned quickly and consistently,
which means the amount of clients they have can be handled
easily. Note: An agent with few clients or none is likely to
represent a problem and not an ideal scenario for you.
7. Will you handle all aspects of my transaction or will
you delegate some tasks to a sales associate or
administrative assistant?
a. If you work with a busy agent, a knowledgeable
assistant can be invaluable when you have questions. Busy
agents also are often the top producers in an area, but you
may not get as much personal attention as you want.
8. Will you give me a list of homes you sold in the last
12 months in Bucks County?
a. The list should contain addresses, property types,
names of sellers or buyers, list prices, sale dates, and
sale prices. If you're undecided about an agent, contact the
agent's former clients and ask whether the agent was easy to
work with, whether they feel they got a good price and a
good contract, and whether they would use the agent again.
9. Do you require a contract, if so what are the terms?
a. Contracts are required by most states, so this answer
is surely to be yes. What you want to find out are the terms
in detail, when the contract ends, option to cancel and
requirements of both parties.
10. How much commission do you charge? What other fees
are attached?
a. Find out the commission the agent is willing to
negotiate. Majority of commissions are paid by the seller,
but there are occasions where the buyer will charge. The
average commission is around 6% of the total sale price.
Find out if the agent charges additional fees or charges and
what they are for.
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