How To Know Real Estate When You Become An Agent

Many real estate agents enter the real estate market each year attempting to know real estate so that they can represent their clients who expect that they know something about real estate. Some agents feel that they know real estate after they take their state exam because they don't know any better. But the truth is that they don't know real estate until many things transpire to make them a real estate agent and those things come from knowledge.

In this article, I will give you what I know to be the truth about learning real estate and give you some simple step by step instruction on what it takes to learn real estate and become the professional that is hired by the public to protect them. This is really simple but it requires a simple approach that can be tedious and boring to a salesperson. However, as a top agent in my field and the number one agent in Georgia, I can tell you, this is what has to be done if you are going to protect your client.

Learning real estate is a process

Real estate is a process of learning the system of the contract and the MLS. Here are the 7 steps to becoming good at what you do for a living:

1. Read the Purchase and Sale Agreement 50 times or more over the course of the first month in the business. Apply questions of when, why, where, how to all paragraphs. Ask your real estate broker if they have a written test they could give you to make sure that you are comprehending the agreement.
2. Study all addendums, exhibits and forms that can be added to the Purchase and Sale Agreement closely, applying the same questions as above to each and every paragraph.
3. Study the MLS system so that you have a working knowledge of the MLS listing itself and the features of the system. Map out a few homes and then think what you will do to notify the seller that you are going to visit the home. Make a script and a process of how you will show the home, listing the steps from getting your lockbox key updated all the way to locking the house back up when you leave.
4. Learn the mapping system that you will use. If you are using a GPS, map book or mapping software, make sure that you fully understand it's flaws.
5. Write a fake offer for a buyer pretending that you are representing them. Fill in all the blanks and ask yourself the questions that will represent this buyer well. This is where you ask your family members to help you. They make up a scenario and you represent them. Of course you are not going to send the offer to an agent.
6. Study construction flaws of your area on the internet. However, remember that most state's licensure for a real estate agent is limited to only the duties of an agent. This does not include making recommendations for repairs or being an inspector with your clients.
7. Make a packet of information for your buyers showing that you are an expert and that you have thought of the information they need to make an education purchase.

If you do the simple things above, you will find that you will become an expert quickly. Almost everything you need to know is in the Purchase and Sale Agreement that your state uses. Many people attend continuing education and that is fine, but the rubber meets the road when you are an expert at representing your clients in a legal and binding document.

Tips For Finding A "Good" Real Estate Agent

There are a lot of good Real Estate Agents out there who really do care about the success of your transaction and they just happen to get paid for it, too. It is when Agents get greedy and put the money before the person that they start to go "bad."

Unfortunately the bad guys have fostered a bit of a bad reputation on the group as a whole, leaving the good guys in a position to have to work extra hard to prove their goodness and worthiness of your business. A good agent never puts the money first and sincerely is motivated by being a part of putting you in your new home and the impact that has on you.

So how do you find that "good apple"? It starts with a phone call. You have found a house you would like to see while browsing a website or set your sights on a certain company for one reason or another. You call an agent from that company to show you a house. Upon that first meeting, scrutinize the agent as much as the house! First off, if he rubs you the wrong way, don't call him again. I am completely against putting agents to work and not getting them paid, but this first meeting is a freebie. Further, you owe it to yourself to find someone that no only doesn't repel you, but whose company you actually enjoy! You are potentially going to be spending a lot of time with this person so set yourself up for a pleasant experience. Call someone different each time until you find one who appeals to you.

The day you meet the guy who appeals to you, start asking questions. Conduct an interview. Your Realtor is the biggest asset you have in this huge step you are about to make. Ask how long he's been selling houses, does he like it, what does he like about it, ask about the philosophy of his company, what kind of pets he has, whatever. There isn't really any right or wrong answers in most cases, but the WAY he answers is what you're gauging. Is there a trust forming? If so, this is probably your guy. Start sharing a little bit about yourself with him, and what you are trying to accomplish. If you feel he has a good understanding, compassion, and has some good ideas to move forward, let him start looking for the houses and be sure to call him again when you need help.

To take it a step further, you will really get your Agent to bend over backwards for you if you sign a buyer's agency agreement with him. This tells him that you understand that you are his top priority and to show your appreciation you are going to work with him and only him and whether it takes you three weeks or three months to find you a house, when you buy a house he will get paid for his time and resources spent. Now you've got two parties, mutual respect and enjoyment, house shopping together, negotiating together, and meeting challenges together. You have found your "good apple" and paved the way to a happy, successful transaction.

Reasons To Live In Portsmouth Virginia

Walk along High Street in downtown Portsmouth, referred to as Old Towne, and you will think it is Christmas all year long. Thousands of tiny lights hug the trees that line the street. The Elizabeth River connects Portsmouth to Norfolk. Portsmouth is the sister city of Norfolk, except that Portsmouth has kept that small town feel. This city was founded in 1752 and was modeled after the Portsmouth in Britain. This 29 square-mile city reflects its heritage with streets named London, Glasgow, and Queen. The first intersection in town at Court and High streets remains the towns center.

Recently, Olde Towne has been undergoing a face-lift. It has been undergoing a renovation of its center and the "edges." The edges of Portsmouth are actually 80 miles of waterfront along the many channels. Neighborhoods occupy much of the waterfront, although there are some prime shopping areas there, too.

Portsmouth's center has the largest collection of antique homes, third behind Alexandria, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina. While not yet antiques, the center also has many early 20th century homes that have been restored or are in the process of being renovated.

The waterfront is the heart of the city, with the Naval Hospital, the Naval Shipyard and the 5th Coast Guard District sharing it space with the citizens of Portsmouth. It is close to the Norfolk Naval Base which brings in people from all over the world. Portsmouth is a real melting pot.

Portsmouth is one of the oldest working harbors in the country, so there are a wide range of ships passing the seawall. Hampton Roads is the midway point of the Atlantic coast. Portsmouth is in the center of Hampton Roads, providing the city with a rich maritime heritage.

Portsmouth has a little bit of everything and you don't have to be a history buff or an architectural enthusiast to enjoy living in the city. It has a slower pace than it's sister, Norfolk. Once people get used to slowing down, they truly appreciate the different a slower lifestyle can make in their lives.

In this harbor city, people can visit art museums, explore the universe via the planetarium, golf, go boating, or cycle along the waterfront. With mild weather, outdoor activities abound in Portsmouth. It is a city of academic excellence, with its schools and colleges maintaining a high standard for all who attend.

Nancy Chandler Associates, REALTORS, Licensed in Norfolk, Virginia can give you additional information about Portsmouth, Virginia.

Real Estate Leads - Build Them Through Networks

Networking with real estate and home services professionals is a great way to build leads through referral business. Like any business, being well-connected and having your name front and center is one of the most effective ways to make new contacts and grow your business.

However, networking takes work. It's an ongoing job that requires constant effort to build new contacts while still maintaining your old ones. To learn more about how you can grow your leads network, keep reading.

Attend Home Shows and Builder Showcases

Attending home shows not as a booth holder, but as an attendee, can be a great way to walk around and meet with builders, other real estate agents and mortgage professionals.

In one room, you'll find hundreds of booths all dedicated to some aspect of your business. So, instead of calling up all these businesses individually, why not grab a few business cards and do a one-day tour?

Host a Networking Function

Send out invitations, charge a certain amount per plate, hire the caterers, schedule a few speakers and you have a networking function. Whether it's for real estate professionals only or for everyone in the home business, tailor your invitee list accordingly.

If you don't have the time to host a function, focus on attending as many functions as possible - a business lunch, awards ceremony or round table discussion.

Get Involved In Your Community

One of the best ways to network and build your business is through word-of-mouth and trust. Clients tend to prefer using real estate agents who they already know and who live in their local area.

So, get out there and meet the potential clients in your local area. Coach a hockey team, attend soccer games, get involved in your PTA, join the gym, attend church, or volunteer at the library. Do what you can to get your name and face out into your local community.

Be Where it Counts

The agent who always works from home or a car and never from the office is the agent that's out of touch. Sometimes, you need to focus on networking with your own broker and agency peers. Being in the office allows you to stay on top of incoming inquiry calls, news and potential networking opportunities.

Remember, word-of-mouth advertising is the most important lead generation tool that you have so focus on networking opportunities like community interaction, networking functions, home shows and your own office to build client leads.

Real Estate Boom In The Middle East

Real Estate Boom in the Middle East will continue for at least another 10 years.Experts view is that if there is no natural calamities this trend will remain buoyant for the next decade and it will be difficult to get hotel rooms to residence to live in next five years.

As we saw in the last 4 to 5 years the real estate market in the Middle East, specially in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or adjacent areas have been booming. There is no end of construction. Due to over construction the supply of building materials becomes even scarce. The prices of such commodities have gone up. Example cements are not found, still price is sky rocketing. Builders face difficulties to hand over their buildings on time and the cost is so, high that they can seldom make any profits. But the demands of new apartments in some area are so great that it has increased even 500% to 1000% . Buildings are not completed , yet renting or leasing is done in no time.

The prices of land and the apartments have gone up beyond control. Yesterday I went to check some apartments to have a look inf I could buy one, I found it is so high that beyond my reach. While the agents advised that the rent is about AED80,000 to100,000 for a normal mid sized two bed apartment. In some areas of palm the price per sq. foot residential lands costs about AED18,000 or move.

This is surprising as 10 years back we saw in those area only sands and no construction while now we do not see any place that is empty to put our feet.. Why and how it happened no one knows. But their were some good initiatives from the ruler or the developers who advised to go ahead to resell the real estate . Once it was experimented people are lured to buy heavily , so the price is gone up. American citizen Mr. Donald Trump even put his hand on the Dubai Property market. And other celebrities have already bought their own towers and some even put for resale .

This made the market more upward trend. We do not know what will happen in the next 10 years from now if this trend sustained. Investors may see the feasibilities by themselves before buying any properties here. Read more...

Dr Altaf Hossain is an article writer. You may copy the article provided my signature and permission from EzineArticles.com is taken.

Real Estate Market - Think Positive!

Let's face it. Real estate is a long term investment. When you buy your own home, you're buying for the long haul. Families aren't speculators and most people don't buy a home strictly as an investment. So while you may be sweating over the fact that your home is "losing equity" as the market depreciates, remember that everyone elses home is doing the same.

How is this a good thing? Well, if you're selling now, it's good mainly because while you may be losing value in your home, you're also going to be a buyer as well. Afterall, you've got to live somewhere. Now unless you're thinking you are going to rent for some reason, you'll be selling at a lower price, but on the bright side, you'll be buying low as well.

Many homeowners I speak with seem very stressed out. They hear what I say about the value of homes in the area and how certain statistics I review with them indicate the value of their home is not what they want it to be. Homeowners immediately think the worst and some even go into "panic mode".

But I have to point out a few bright points. One, over 50 homes a day are sold on Long Island, every day. Yes, that's everyday. Second, while home values may be lagging, over the past 4 years, home values increased over 115%. This has to be taken into consideration. The fact that home values on Long Island are double the national average is one great indicator that this is a prime area to own real estate. We live right next to the greatest city in the world and financial mecca of the United States.

Most homeowners are bent out of shape because they've lost 10% of equity in the value of their home. However, most, if not all, forget about the over 80% of accumulated appreciation they've had from 2002 to 2005! It's crazy when you actually sit back and think about it. Now of course the people who bought in 2005 and are now trying to sell (either as a speculator or tragically, a family who has found they can't afford it) have made poor decisions, so that's a little different. The other group of homeowners that aren't happy at all are the ones who took out all their money and used their home like a personal ATM via refinancing and home equity loans.

Ultimately, many homeowners find themselves in great positions. Even though the market is slowed and prices have dropped, the 115% appreciative value in the past few years must not go unrecognized. I mean, seriously people, let's wake up! That's a good thing!

I just sat with a homeowner who kept telling me "I have to walk away with $200,000 in my pocket...after I sell". Despite my best efforts to educate them on the market, highlighting high taxes, food prices, energy prices, and a weakening economy overall - they insisted their home is worth $550,000, when I was trying to inform them that it's more like $499,000. Clearly, this homeowner doesn't see the positive. He doesn't want to understand that hey bought in 1999 for $190,000 and stand to make over 100% on the investment overall (not to mention the $100,000 he took out of the property in a home equity loan)!

So in this market, when you go to call me and ask for an appointment, don't close your mind to reason. Think positive by all means! Realize that every day 50 houses get sold! Remember your appreciation values over the past few years and of course, recognize that you happened to have contacted the best in the business!