According to the National Association of Realtors' 2006 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the use of technology is on the rise, but the human factor still rules. Sellers and buyers still demand personal attention and service. It's unlikely that the need for a human being will ever go away.Although 80% of buyers start their search for a home online, NAR reports, most buyers prefer to hire a real estate agent to find, negotiate and help close their transactions. Among the sellers who hired a full-service agent to sell their home, 95 percent said they were happy with the service provided, ranging from 71% who were very satisfied to 24% who were somewhat satisfied. On the other hand, among sellers who negotiated minimum service contracts, 50% percent of this group reported dissatisfaction with their experience.
Whether you are buying or selling, it generally pays to utilize the services of a real estate agent; however, finding an agent is another story. Nobody wants to get stuck with a loser or incompetent agent. In California, for example, one out of every 52 adults holds a real estate license. The odds of hiring an agent with little or no experience is fairly high. Fortunately, you can increase the chances that you'll hire a top-notch agent by following these seven ways to find an agent.
- How to Interview Your Agent
- Are Full-Service Agents Worth the Money?
- You Can Negotiate Real Estate Commissions
©Elizabeth Weintraub, Licensed to About.com
At the time of writing, Elizabeth Weintraub, DRE # 00697006, is a Broker-Associate at Lyon Real Estate in Sacramento, California.
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