Sellers Agent? Buyers Agent? Pick a Side!

Through out my 20 plus years as a Brooklyn real estate representative, I have been exploring the choices between being a sellers agent and a buyers agent in a Brooklyn real estate transaction. I find that they both have their merits. I have always represented the sellers in the transaction, and I find it to be very rewarding. When many buyers agents contact me to show my Brooklyn properties for sale, I am asked about the bottom line. My fiduciary responsibility as the home owners Realtor is with the seller, therefore I am here to get the best terms and price for the homeowner .The answer to this question is: give us your best offer and my client will review it. As a seller representative, the Brooklyn home owner is my client, and the buyers are customers. Buyer’s agents represent the buyer; their responsibility or fiduciary obligation is to get the best price and terms for the buyer.

Sellers View Point

When a  homeowner first decides to sell his or her home there are many initial questions to be answered beside the obvious like, where am I going? Time frame? And how much can I get in this market?

1. Do I want to sell (FSBO) for sale by owner: Pricing and marketing my home myself as well as showing, without the help of a real estate professional (Realtor), who would negotiate and navigate you through the transaction?

2. Open Listing: a (FSBO allowing buyers agents to show their clients) The real estate professional is working for their client to get them the best price and terms possible, is this best for me as a seller? Is this something I am prepared to do?

3. Do I want to hire Realtor, and how do I choose the best one for my family and me? The right Realtor can make all the difference in the world in selling your home for the highest price in the least amount of time with the least amount of stress as possible. To choose the best Realtor for you is a lot like looking for a doctor, lawyer, of Indian chief Ask friends and neighbors, search the internet, interview a couple of real estate professionals and ask for recommendations of their past clients. Ultimately choose a professional that has presence in your market, and the experience to get the job done right. As the client, you should choose someone that you can communicate with and is looking out for your best interest

Buyers View Point

When a buyer decides to start looking for a home there are things to be considered besides, where do I want to live?, what school district do I want?, and how much do I want to invest?

1. What can I afford? There are many mortgage programs in today’s market although the criteria needed to get a mortgage have tightened up a lot. A buyer in today’s market can actually position himself or herself to get a better deal by getting a pre approval by a lender first.

2. Do I want to shop on line first, go to open houses read the local papers for FSBO’S or call sellers broker for their inventory?

3. Do I want Buyers Representation and how do I choose the best one for my family and me? The right real estate professional can help you navigate through the process, save you a lot of time, money and stress. The same interview process goes for a buyer’s agent as the seller’s agent. Ask about the agents experience and knowledge of the process as well as knowledge in the market area you are looking. This can be a challenge if a buyer is looking in areas the buyers agent is not familiar with so make sure the agent knows the area you are planning to buy in. Ask for recommendation letters from past clients, and most of all make sure your agent is someone you can communicate with and that you feel he will be looking out for your interest.

Selling and buying a home can be stressful. With proper research and planning you can cut down the stress and save money. DO YOUR RESEARCH, a little work at the start will save you a lot of time and money at the end! Hiring the right Realtor will make a difference! Ask Questions, you may not like the answers but you will be informed!

By Charles D’Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate

                                         ~Veterans helping Veterans~

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Along the way, each of the participants in this program has been helped by another military member or veteran. We’ve never forgotten that person or the time we were in need. Though our gratitude was expressed, we feel that we owe more than just thanks, we owe action. Each of us involved in Veterans Helping Veterans is now in a position to give back. This site is our vehicle, and your resource.

Our ultimate mission is to help ALL veterans find somewhere to live, then make it a real home. A lofty goal I know, but if we never stop trying who can say that we never hit our target? For now we’ll start with you. Let us know what you’re looking for and how we can help.