Agent advice

Boy, have times changed on the real-estate ground.

Now more than ever consumers need real advocates on their side when buying or selling a home. That’s why experts suggest doing your homework before hiring a real-estate professional.

“Since it is the biggest financial purchase of your life, you need a seasoned agent who knows the ropes,” says Julie Mills, a San Diego real-estate professional affiliated with RE/MAX. “Seasoned agents know what hurdles can come up and how to avoid them.”

Some basic tips for both buyers and sellers involve taking the time to find the right person. Kathy Goughenour, a real-estate marketing specialist in Black, Mo., recommends using a full-time agent.

“Part-time agents don’t have the same level of resources available to them, such as time, money for marketing, or experience,” she says.

She adds that since you wouldn’t go to a doctor who doesn’t have MD credentials, why choose an agent without credentials?

Real-estate credentials are all those odd letters behind the agents name such as ABR, CRS and GRI, representing training the agent has successfully completed.

“It’s especially good to work with agents who have credentials in the subject you’re interested in,” Mills says. “An ABR has additional training to help buyers. An agent with a SRES designation is a specialist for seniors. An agent with a Green Designation has training on helping people buy or sell environmentally sensitive.”

Moreover, while the individual agent is much more important than the real-estate agency, if you can get a great agent and a well-known real estate agency, you have the best of both worlds, Goughenour says. A well-known agency has its own marketing, more agents to get the word out about your property and more resources to help promote your property.

Buyer’s Agent

When you sign a contract with a buyer’s agent, he works solely on your behalf to help you find and purchase your dream home

Mills suggests that you learn the market. Start looking at properties even before you are ready to buy to get to know what is out there. “Drive around areas,” Mills says, “and see what you like so you can give your agent the best parameters for your house hunting.”

Before writing an offer, always have your agent check the comps sold within the last three months (meaning similar homes/condos recently sold or currently in escrow).

Goughenour says that at the bargaining table, being an experienced, skilled negotiator is one of the most important skills you want to look for in an agent. Find out how many years of experience the agents you are interviewing have, read their testimonials, talk with at least three prior clients and ask about their negotiation skills.

Seller’s Agent

When you’re looking to sell your home, it’s essential to interview at least three agents whose names you received through referrals.

Ask them their marketing plan. At the very least, Goughenour says they should:

• Promote it on multiple Web sites including their own site and the MLS.

• Use multiple photos (the more the better) and virtual tours as part of the online marketing plan .

• Employ print marketing: flyers, postcards, newspapers and/or local home magazines .

• If possible, advertise on tv.

Mills says you should also have the agent you choose go through the home with you and give you tips on how to enhance the appeal and de-clutter if needed.

“Curb appeal is important since that is the buyer’s first impression of the home,” she adds.

Be sure that the agent follows through on contract periods. There is a contingency period for a certain amount of days in a contract where buyers have time to fulfill their due diligence. At the end of this period, buyers need to sign off that they are ready to move forward or risk losing their deposit.

“This prevents buyers from walking away after a certain period or their good-faith deposit goes to the seller,” Mills says.

Adds Goughenour: “A knowledgeable, experienced agent can save you time, money and heartache,” she says.