10 Things You Should Never Say to a Real Estate Agent
Being open and honest with your real estate agent is important, but there are some things you should keep to yourself. The following are ten things you should never say to a real estate agent:
1. I want to buy a house but don’t want to work with a single agent.
If you’re trying to buy a house without working with a buyer’s agent, good luck! It’s highly recommended that you find an experienced buyer’s agent who can help you navigate the complex world of real estate purchases (especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer). Trying to go it alone is usually not worth the hassle or the risk.
2. Please do not show my house unless I am available.
If you’re not available to show your house, that’s fine – just let your agent know in advance so that they can make other arrangements. Showings are typically scheduled in advance, so your agent will need to know if there are any restrictions on when potential buyers can come see your home.
3. However, Zillow stated…
Zillow is a great resource for getting an idea of what houses in your area are worth, but ultimately, your agent will be better equipped to give you an accurate valuation of your home based on their experience and market knowledge.
4. I’ll get a mortgage pre-approval later.
A mortgage pre-approval is one of the first steps in the homebuying process, and it’s important to have one in hand before beginning your search for a new home.Your agent will likely be working with other buyers who already have their financing in order, so it’s important that you’re on equal footing – otherwise, you may lose out on your dream home!
5. I’m not going to bother my Realtor®.
Bothering your Realtor® is their job! That’s why they get paid – to help guide you through the process of buying or selling a home from start to finish. If something comes up that you don’t understand or that worries you, don’t hesitate to reach out to them for guidance – that’s what they’re there for!
6. You sell real estate, right?
Just as doctors specialize in medicine and lawyers specialize in law, real estate agents specialize in real estate! They have years of experience and training under their belts, so they know the ins and outs of the business much better than the average person does.
7 .What exactly do you mean by “comps?”
“Comps” refers to comparable properties – basically, houses that are similar to yours in terms of size, location, amenities, etc. Agents use comps when valuing homes so that they can get an accurate idea of how much a particular property is worth on the open market.
8. What will your commission be?
Most agents work on commission, which means they only get paid if and when a transaction is successfully completed (i..e., when a buyer purchases a home from a seller). The typical commission fee is around 6%, although this varies depending on location and other factors.
9. What is the smallest amount you will accept for the house?
Few sellers are willing to budge on price – after all, they’ve probably spent months (if not years) saving up for their down payment and waiting for the perfect time to put their home on the market! – but it never hurts to ask politely if there might be some wiggle room in the asking price
10. Why did my neighbor’s house just sell for less/more than mine?
Chances are good that your neighbor’s house didn’t just sell for way less or more than yours – homes in close proximity tend to be valued relatively similarly by buyers (and appraisers). The odds are better that there was some sort of extenuating circumstance involved in their sale (e..g., they were facing foreclosure or needed to move quickly due accounts job transfer) which caused them to sell forless/morethanwhatthehousewasactuallyworthontheopenmarket..
In conclusion, remember these 10 things next time before saying anything impulsively to your real estate agent during the house buying or selling process!
