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Imagine you're in a
supermarket by a large barrel of apples with a sign that says
Pick One - 6 Cents.
Some of the apples are sweet, others are sour, a few are only for
cooking and the rest look too green and not quite ready for eating. You
think for a second and then reach in and grab the first one that looks
good - only to find that it wasn't exactly what you expected.
For an apple, it may not
matter. But that kind of decision making often happens when people
choose a real estate agent to help them buy a home. On the surface, all
real estate agents seem alike. They all charge about the same fee, 6% of
the sales price, and most agencies offer similar services. But, in
reality, differences can be huge. Consumers who don’t do their homework
can wind up getting bad advice that could cost thousands. To pick
yourself a top-notch professional, do the following:
GENERAL SEARCH
The best place to start is by asking friends for
referrals. If you're new to the area, do an informal search of the
properties in the neighborhood. If the same name pops up on lots of
signs, you've probably found someone who specializes in that
particular area. This can be a real plus, since the agent will
probably be well versed in the homes, schools, municipal services and
other important information.
INTERVIEW
Once you've narrowed down the list, make an
appointment to meet with the agent in their office...
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