What Does a Real Estate Agency Do

Real estate agents are in a unique position to build relationships with clients. They are often found attending real estate events, meeting with potential clients in their sphere of influence, or distributing business cards to keep their name on the radar.

Each state has different laws controlling agency disclosure, dual agency legality and more. Real estate agents need to know the details so they can serve their clients well.

Selling Your Home

A real estate agent’s primary function is to sell homes. Heroes Home Advantage programs do this by promoting the home to a large audience, which helps buyers find the property. Real estate agents also help negotiate on behalf of their clients, aiming to get the best possible price for the house.

The time it takes to sell a home varies by market and location, but a qualified real estate agent can help sellers prepare their homes for the market, making small upgrades that can have a big impact on how fast a house sells. They can also help with the legal and financial paperwork involved in a sale.

When buyers are shopping for a home, they might research agents through business websites and personal agent pages to learn more about their professional experience, including number of sales and certifications. They might even read reviews and testimonials, which can sway their decision to choose an agent. A good agent should have a strong online presence that showcases these reviews and testimonials.

Buying a Home

Heroes Home Advantage programs real estate agent can be a valuable partner when buying a home. They'll listen to your wish list, help you determine your budget and find homes that meet those criteria. They can also help with the negotiation process and prepare, submit and file documents.

Buyer's agents can provide helpful information on neighborhoods, schools and other details that aren’t easily available in online listings. They can also work with a property's listing agent or owner (if it's for sale by owner) to schedule tours. A good buyer's agent will communicate with you about any information they learn about a seller, the property or its history that could affect your decision to make an offer.

It's common for residential real estate agents to work with both buyers and sellers. When this occurs, it's called dual agency. Each state has its own disclosure laws that dictate whether this is legal and how it's disclosed to a client.

Helping You Find a Home

Real estate agents can find homes that meet their clients’ buying objectives and budgets. They can also assist in setting a home’s selling price and negotiating a sale.

Moreover, real estate professionals understand the neighborhoods where they work and can provide insight on things like average home prices, crime rates or pending commercial development. They can help you decide on the best area for your desired location based on your needs such as access to public transportation or a neighborhood with top-rated schools.

A real estate agent can also set up tours of a property for their buyers by communicating with the listing agent or owners (if it’s a for-sale-by-owner property). They will take the time to make sure that you see all the features you’re interested in, whether it’s a pool, basement playroom or a spacious backyard. They will also help you complete any paperwork required for the purchase process and answer any questions you might have.

Negotiating a Sale

Whether you are buying or selling a home, negotiating is always an important part of the process. A real estate agent can help guide you through negotiations on both sides of the transaction. They understand the market and can offer information on property values, comparable homes sales and local real estate laws.

A good real estate agent can also be an asset when it comes to negotiating for repairs or a lower price after a problem is found during a home inspection or appraisal. Often the agent will have a network of local contractors and trades people and be able to get these issues taken care of quickly.

During negotiations, it is important to stay calm and not become emotional. Anger can cloud your thinking and can make it more difficult to find compromises. It is best to negotiate in person when possible, however if this isn’t possible, phone or email can be used. Just be sure all parties are kept updated with progress or changes.