How To Get Unbeatable Real Estate Assistance. Even if You Have No Credit!

It's true -- you don't need an agent. You can do it all yourself. It&'s a free country, after all.

Of course, if you don't know what you're doing, you’re going to end up costing yourself far more money than you intended.

The best reason to contact a professional realtor is good old-fashioned know-how. Real estate agents and brokers have already gone through training and spent years building up experience in real estate transactions. If you haven't done that for yourself, then hiring someone who has is just plain smart.

What is the difference between an agent and a broker?

Real estate agents connect buyers and sellers, but brokers act as the intermediary who handles the transaction. Typically, brokers are the ones who own and run the firm, and they hire the agents to work directly with buyers and sellers.

Agent will know the local listings, but brokers carry much more education about real estate overall, including the financial ends of things.

If you're going to hire a professional, you'd do yourself a big favor to hire a combination of skills - an agent who is also a broker.

What are the dangers of working with an agent or a broker?

Real estate agents and brokers, of course, are in this profession to make money. You'll have to watch out where that money might come from. Always keep in mind:

• If you're buying a home, you'll want to make sure you've hired a buyer's broker, or that your agent works for a buyer's broker...otherwise, you're dealing with the seller's broker, and that person typically will not have your interests top of mind.
• A home inspection is a necessary part of the home buying (or selling) process. Take caution when a broker recommends an inspector; there are some out there who work in cahoots with brokers to look the other way about certain aspects so that the broker can keep the deal going. Make sure your independent inspector is truly independent, and that results are confidential.

What value does a designer bring to real estate?

Home interior design is often overlooked in real estate, but it shouldn't be. This underpinning talent can mean a world of difference.

If you're selling a home, a designer can help you prepare your home to look its best so you can get the best possible price. If you're buying a home, an interior designer can help you visualize the space in a home space in an opportunity you may have otherwise overlooked, and even get you excited for what might otherwise be considered a fixer-upper.

The mythical agent/designer is no myth. They are rare, but they're out there. For example, Shaun Alston of Eagle Realty in Sacramento, CA is a certified, award-winning designer in addition to being an agent/broker, and this sets him above the rest not just in job titles but in actual sales. He's the area's top realtor.

Again, watch out -- you might get excited about a home's potential, only to find out after buying it that local zoning laws, municipal authorities or homeowner's associations prohibit the upgrades you are hoping to make. Agents and brokers aren't always helpful in this regard.

Sacramento residents: first time buyer? Bad credit? No credit? With a foundation of financial expertise, market savvy and imaginative insight, Shaun Alston is the designer and realtor for Sacramento, CA.

About the Author:

This article is written by Eagle Realty. Owner/broker Shaun Alston is a member of the Masters Club, which means he is in the top 10% in Real Estate Sales in the state of California.