Title: The Benefits of a Real Estate Agent 101
by Lori Osenbaugh
e-mail: listwithcookie(at)yahoo.com

Buying and selling property is not as easy as you may think. There
are many things that you have to consider when purchasing a home, or
when putting a home up for sale. That is why there are real estate
professionals out there armed with the skills and knowledge needed
to make this process easier. Read below to see how a real estate
agent can help you in your real estate transaction.

The Benefits of a Sellers Agent

When you list your property through a real estate company, the
individual with whom you list is known as the sellers agent, or
listing agent. The very first thing that a listing agent has to
offer a seller is a comparative market analysis, or, a CMA. A CMA
compares your property to other real estate property listings,
preferably ones that have sold. The goal of the agent is to compare
apples to apples. In other words, they compare MLS listings (a.k.a
the multiple listing service) with similar square footage, whether
or not the property has a garage, the types of flooring the home has
etc. In the end of this analysis, the agent provides you with a
figure for which he or she feels that your property will sell.

Once you have chosen a sellers agent, you enter an agreement with
them, often called an exclusive right to list agreement. This simply
creates a legal relationship between your agent and yourself. Once
your house is listed in the MLS listings, there is still much more
your real estate professional can do for you. Real estate agents
advertise property within their office and on their own personal
websites. They often send out news letters, flyers, post cards and
offer MLS bulletins for other realtors to see so that your property
gains maximum exposure. In addition to advertisements, real estate
agents also perform open houses on your property, during which
potential buyers can see all that is good about your home.

The Benefits of a Buyers Agent

Many people feel that real estate agents are for sellers and sellers
alone. But this is most definitely not the case. The first arena in
which a buyers agent is helpful is finding the perfect home. Real
estate agents have access to the MLS on a level that buyers do not.
They can search specific criteria and find the perfect three-
bedroom, two-bath home with a fenced in back yard and a rocking
chair front porch. In addition, they can narrow real estate property
listing searches by capping the minimum and maximum prices that the
buyer wishes to spend. Once homes are selected for viewing, the
agent then ensures that appointments are set up with the sellers of
the homes to view the property.

Next there is the negotiation stage where a buyers agent comes in
handy. The first part of this legal area is the writing of a
contract. Real estate agents can help a buyer fully understand the
ins and outs of an offer to purchase and give them a sense of
exactly what they are getting into. Once a contract is created,
presented, and accepted, the agent then sets up appointments on
behalf of the buyer for things like the home inspection, pest
inspection and appraisals. Your agent can advise you as to which
investigations and inspections are recommended or required.Buyers
agents also have a sense of who is good at these things and who is
not, making these decisions easier on the buyer. Then, when closing
time comes, the agent is there to help the buyer warm up their
signing fingers before signing all of the papers making their home
ownership a reality.

About the author:
Lori Osenbaugh is a Realtor® and e-Agent licensed in Colorado and
associated with Keller Williams - Cherry Creek, Colorado. Get a Free
CMA visit Lori's web site also search homes in the greater Denver
area http://www.listwithcookie.myhomecards.com Includes
customizeable searches, e-mail alerts of new properties, complete
MLS listings, local area statistics, news, tips and much more!