What is a Real Estate Agent?

Real Estate Agents assist people with buying and selling houses. In some states, a real estate agent is required to have a broker's license, and in other states, they only need a sales agent license. Agents can work on their own or for a real estate company. They can even specialize in particular type of property. Income received by an agent will normally be in the form of a commission. After a home is sold, agents will receive a percentage of the amount that the buyer purchased for the home. The commission amount will vary.

These agents will often work long hours that can extend into the evenings. To acquire a license, one must be a graduate of high school and complete a real estate course. Good agents will be personable and be motivated to sell houses and work for real estate brokers.

Because buying a house is such an important life investment, many people enlist the services of an agent and must be able to provide the following functions:

- They must know the value of a home
- The agent takes potential buyers to view homes that are for sale.

The buyer will have already discussed how much they can afford and what type of home they are looking for. For instant, the size of the home, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the location, amenities, and type of neighborhood.
- They must know what the neighborhoods in the town or city are like.
- They must know all of the laws that have to do with buying or selling a home.
- Agents can offer advice to home buyers about where to get a home loan
- The agent must fill out specific forms that convey to all involved that the house has been purchased. Both the buyer and the seller of the home sign these forms which will involve the services of attorneys.
- They help buyers submit an offer, and then will continue to negotiate a price if the offer is rejected.
- They must disclose any flaws that a home may contain.
- They help assess the price of a home and list it on the open market.

People will normally use one realty agent.

Using the services of a real estate agent can be of great benefit because they have many contacts with other professionals in the realty industry. This can include real estate attorneys, mortgage lenders, and home inspectors.

When people commence on buying or selling a home on their own, they will quickly realize there is much involved in the process. Because there are so many details and information to understand and steps to follow when selling or buying a home, it pays to have the services of a qualified real estate agent. Their knowledge and experience will take the aggravation out of the process so that you can focus on moving into your new home.