Ask Your Property Agent
Ask Your Property Agent

Picture this: As you walk around the neighborhood or peruse through your local daily, you come across a property that interests you. You become excited about it and want to know as much as possible. In your mind, you make detailed plans of how you will pay for it. Or…

You want to move house or acquire property for profit purposes, but you are stuck and don’t know how to go about it. Then the idea of a local agent strikes you, and you hit the phone for an appointment, which is instantly granted. What will you ask the property agent when you finally set down for the meeting? Here are some great tips.




Property Agent
Property Agent

Ask them for a Portfolio.

The journey to creating a relationship with your property agent should be treated like a job interview where past experience plays a vital role. In this case, the agent should demonstrate their capability to help you sell or buy property competently, professionally, and at the right price.

They should be able to showcase what they have successfully handed similar tasks previously. For instance, an agent can take you to a property owner they helped buy or sell. If the other party confirms the agent’s information, your confidence in them will be boosted significantly. It is a good way of helping you to make the decision on whether to engage them or not.



Do you have links with Professional bodies?

In any field, there are professional associations where information is shared among peers. In fact, some of them have such a vibrant and rigorous registration process that even simply qualifying to be registered with them is a milestone. This is actually a requirement in several jurisdictions.

If your property agent is listed with one or several professional bodies, you would be safer dealing with them. Most of these bodies have disciplinary and penalty procedures that members take very seriously.



Are your dealings legally binding?

A professional and well-established property agent will only undertake a deal if it follows proper due procedures and, more importantly, ensures it is done within agreeable contractual terms. Such an agent will quickly point out details such as the necessary legal representation and the binding agreements that come with the contract. Other elements, such as insurance or how the agent intends to go about it, should also be well explained.


What about Commissions?

By the end of the day, your agent has deals to pay and depends on the commissions paid by his clients to pay his bills. It is thus essential to discuss the commission, the terms, and the mode of payment well in advance. This eliminates the chances of either party feeling shortchanged. The importance of such an agreement is underlined when you think of a property sale that exceeds the price issued by the owner. If the agent disposes of it for a price well beyond the said price, the owner might feel shortchanged and claim more. Agents at Pumped On Property Brisbane argue such fears should be discussed in the contract.


How Long Will My Property Be Listed?

Agents have a specific time frame within which your property will be listed on various boards, including online portals. In fact, online listings have become a familiar and primary way of listing properties as they form a bulk of search queries.

While most listings will be on for six months or until sold (whichever comes first), others can be renewed or appropriate arrangements made for longer retention. Having your property listed increases the chances of potential buyers finding it. Ask your agent to explain this accordingly.



How Do We Schedule Viewings for the Property?

Whether your agent will personally drive potential buyers to your property or direct them and arrange with you is a matter for discussion between the two parties. The important thing should be creating a convenient schedule. A number of other things, such as the security of the property, must also be considered.

In most cases, agents will arrange for potential buyers to view the property. This gives them ample time to discuss several estate dimensions with potential buyers.



Conclusion

Real estate agents play a vital role in the industry’s ecosystem. Sometimes, you may need an agent just once, but knowing as many details as possible is essential. Importantly, do not overlook the vital things by inclining too much towards the technicalities of the deal. It gives you satisfaction to have your queries answered professionally and competently. Remember, too, that the real estate industry, like any other, is infiltrated by dishonest people. This notwithstanding, an excellent real estate agent will have straightforward answers to most basic questions.