About Zenith Real Estate National

WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE AGENT?

An agent’s professional experience and knowledge can ensure that a property transaction is negotiated well, and is concluded in a reasonable amount of time for the benefit of both seller and buyer.

Real Estate Professionals provide buyers and sellers with guidance and assistance based on their expert market insights and professional knowledge to help ensure that both the buyer and seller have access to all the necessary information to help them make the best decisions.

Benefits for sellers

• Agents will provide an accurate valuation with statistics of what homes in the area have sold for over the last six months to ensure that the property is correctly priced at maximum market value. This gives the seller the best chance of selling their property in a reasonable time frame.
• An agent will provide professional real estate knowledge and experience, area and market knowledge, a network of buyers and a support system of real estate professionals.
• Agents will provide a marketing plan based on the current state of the real estate market to illustrate how to best market the home and present it in the right way to ensure the seller’s return on their investment is optimised.   

Benefits for buyers

• Agents will introduce buyers to relevant homes they are marketing that fit with the buyer’s criteria.
• Professional agents can provide the buyer with key information about the areas in which they are interested.
• Perhaps most importantly, an estate agent will assist the buyer in determining what they can afford to purchase, and matching the buyer’s budget with different home options.
• Agents can assist the buyer to apply and get a home loan.

HOW TO CHOOSE A PROFESSIONAL ESTATE AGENT?

When buying or selling property, there is no doubt that you will need professional assistance to conclude a successful deal.  As in most industries, there are good and poor professionals… in the property industry too. The majority, however, are reputable professionals who aim to do the best job possible. Whilst the seller is technically the estate agent's client, a good agent will provide value to the seller as well as the buyer and conclude a deal which is mutually beneficial.  Evaluate the agent according to the following:

Is the agent active in the area?

It is wise to establish which estate agents are active in your particular suburb. They are likely to have a list of potential buyers for that area. They will also have a good idea of market related property values.

Ask questions to evaluate the agent’s reputation and knowledge of the property market!

Reputation is extremely important as well as actually meeting with the individual agent who will be responsible for the sale of your property, before you make your decision.   An estate agent's knowledge of the home buying process and the local market is a key factor.   You will get an idea of the agent's competencies by asking a few key questions, like the length of time they have been in the industry and questions around the law pertaining to property transactions.

Ask for Proof of Sales in the area and during the agent’s time in the industry!

Ask to see proof of the agent's Fidelity Fund Certificate, issued by the Estate Agency Affairs Board.   If the agent holds a Fidelity Fund Certificate, it means that, amongst other things, the agent is serious about his profession and that he should comply with the conduct rules stipulated in the Estate Agent's Code of Conduct.   An agent will ask questions regarding your needs.   A professional agent will also give you property advice on preparing your property for sale, what repairs need to be done, and how much you should spend.   Listen to what an agent has to say as this will aid in selling your property and getting fair value. You want to make your property ready for sale without over capitalising it.

An Informed Agent should know the Property price!

A good agent will suggest a selling price of your home at a marketable level.   Ask the agent to substantiate this value by giving you comparative prices of recently sold homes in your area.   Be wary of an over-inflated or under-valued price. The agent might be trying to impress you with a high evaluation to elicit a sole mandate.   On the other hand, they might give a low evaluation to make a quick sale.

Do you feel that you can Trust the agent?

Do you feel comfortable with the agent’s way of doing business and do you feel that you can trust the agent for honest guidance regarding the selling or buying of a property.

Your rights to negotiate commission!

It is your right to negotiate the estate agent's commission, although please remember that this is an agent's income and when you want to pay as little as possible for a professional service, chances are that you will not receive a full service.

If you realise that two different estate agents have introduced the same potential buyer to your property, let the estate agents know about it immediately. If the buyer purchases your property through the second estate agent, you may be liable to pay double commission, because the first estate agent can claim the full commission amount as well.

Get it in writing

Agencies normally make promises to advertise your property, in various publications, online, in their shop windows, on For Sale signs, and by doing show-houses. Make sure that you get these promises in writing before appointing an agent, particularly if you are giving them a sole mandate or sole selling right.

You are welcome to call any agent at Zenith Real Estate for more info!

www.zenithestates.co.za

Be Smart, be Intellegent and be Informed!!