How to recognize a professional real estate broker?

Here are some characteristics of a good broker. A good broker:

Listens Carefully
One of the most important things a real estate agent can do is listen to you and not simply for the things you say you want in a home and neighborhood. A good agent should be able to read between the lines and be intuitive about amenities you don't even know you need.

Explains Thoroughly
An agent needs to be able to communicate effectively with first-time home buyers who may be unfamiliar with the process of buying a home. When your agent explains a difficult term or concept, you should be able to understand him or her well enough to explain it to someone else

Answers Readily
A good real estate agent can be a fabulous source of information about both the housing stock and the communities in which available homes are located. He or she should also be an expert in getting you from point A (when you start to look for homes) to point Z (when you shake hands after the closing). You shouldn't have to tell your agent to check up on the sellers or that the next portion of earnest money is due. The agent should be guiding you. If you want to know more, ask!

Communicates Frequently
Your agent should talk to you at least several times a week, from the day you agree to work together to find a home. On that day, you should set aside an hour or two just to talk about what you want and need in a home, and to either look through the listing book or scan current computer listings of homes within your price range. Your broker should contact you when there is a site to show you, and set up days on which you visit several homes. The agent should also follow up and ask which homes did you like, and what didn't you like about those you rejected?

Learns Easily
The process of buying a home is a learning process for everyone. As you see more homes, you'll reprioritize your wish list and reality check items. As your broker gets to know you better and observes how you react to different homes, he or she should be able to show you homes that better meet your wants and needs.

Is Flexible And Lets You Be Flexible
Flexibility is key in finding and closing on the right home. Brokers often say that "buyers are liars" because home buyers (particularly first-time home buyers) change their minds so frequently. It's not uncommon for a first-time home buyer to start off wanting a single-family home in one community and end up purchasing a condo or townhouse on the other side of town. Home buyers don't intentionally mislead brokers; everyone changes during the process of buying a home. A good broker will allow you to explore several communities and will take the time to show you different types of homes, to help you expand your housing horizons. If you change your mind too often and ultimately can't commit to any property, you will likely drive your real estate agent crazy. But if you find someone who has had a lot of experience with first-time buyers, he or she should know how to help you become selective when choosing a home.

Our Ober-Haus agents are bound by certain obligations to our clients. These obligations are to: