7 Questions To Test The Loyalty Of A Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling a home can be especially difficult when dealing with an incompetent or disloyal
real estate agent. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not out to knock real estate agents.

I’m the first to admit that many real estate agents are excellent and worth their weight in gold.
However, most real estate agents fall into one of three categories: good, average or poor.

Then, there is that worrying small percentage of real estate agents who are downright
incompetent. Every industry is inflicted with this type of person and I suspect the real estate
industry has more than its fair share of incompetent agents.

The truth is; a good and a bad real estate agent have one thing in common – their job is to be a
“deal-maker.” But, be warned - some real estate agents will perform all sorts of tricks to stitch up
a deal. This is fine so long as they are not “stitching up” the buyer or the seller. There’s nothing
wrong with enthusiasm to pull a deal together - it is to be applauded. However, a good real
estate agent needs to remain professional and ethical at all times throughout the property selling
process.

Unfortunately, most homeowner’s are reasonably inexperienced when it comes to buying or
selling a property. They rely greatly on the “perceived” ability of the real estate agent they are
dealing with. In reality, most homeowner’s are “fair game” for a disloyal, dishonest, or
incompetent real estate agent!

In any negotiation, WIN – WIN deals are the best. But, sometimes when buying or selling a
property, things happen to benefit just one party...the buyer, the seller or possibly just the real
estate agent. Therein lies the danger. Who is the real estate agent really working for? Where do
his or her true loyalties lie? With the seller, the buyer or themselves?

These 7 questions will help you decide who the real estate agent is really working for. Visit any
open home and test these questions out on a real estate agent.

Good or bad, the answers will reveal something about that real estate agent and his or her
ability and true loyalties. If the real estate agent betrays the seller, they will betray you as well. If
they defend the seller, it’s likely they will defend you too. Ask the real estate agent these 7

questions:

1.    Ask The Real estate Agent: How much will the seller take?
You may learn the bottom price that the seller will accept.

2.    Ask The Real estate Agent: How much do you think the home will sell for?
You may discover that the real estate agent has an opinion less than the asking price.

3.    Ask The Real estate Agent: When does the seller need to move out?
The real estate agent may reveal an urgent deadline. This could be an advantage in negotiating
a lower price.

4.    Ask The Real estate Agent: Why is the homeowner selling?
The real estate agent may reveal a confidential reason for selling.

5.    Ask The Real estate Agent: How long has the property been on the market?
The real estate agent may reveal if, or why, the property has been difficult to sell.

6.    Ask The Real estate Agent: Who priced the property?
The real estate agent may be quick to deny any involvement and in some cases may blame the
seller for being greedy.

7.    Ask The Real estate Agent: What other homes are there in competition to this
property?
This is particularly useful information, so long as the real estate agent gives you an honest
answer. Ask the real estate agent to show you some of these competing properties.

These questions are simple and not hard to ask. However, failing to ask these types of questions
can put a buyer (or seller) at the mercy of a disloyal, dishonest, or incompetent real estate
agent. Buying or selling a property is a big investment for most people; so it is well worth the
effort to select a real estate agent you can trust and have confidence in.

For more information fsbo real estate resources.

© Noel Peebles, Market Leaders ebooks.
Article Source: http://your-real-estate-resources.com

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