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Via J. Philip Faranda

Here are a few things home buyers can do to ensure that they get the most from an agent.

1. Get pre-approved. I shouldn't have to explain this. The housing industry has been bent like a pipe cleaner the past 18 months. A pre approval older than 90 days is worthless, and no pre-approval disqualifies you from being taken seriously by a seller. . It takes 10 minutes to speak with a lender and get a free updated pre-approval that shows you are ready, willing and able buyers.
2. Practice monogamy. Often in New York, some buyers think that they can get a batter deal if they work with more than 1 agent or deal directly with listing agents. Both of these notions are not only false, they can be expensive mistakes. If your agent catches on to the fact that you are playing the field, he'll start hedging his bets also, because nobody wants to devote time to a buyer file that might not close because you are looking in another town with another broker. 
3. Figure out what you want. Some agents get understandably frustrated when they spend a Sunday morning looking at town homes and Tuesday evening walking through Victorian colonials with the same buyer. I can almost intuit what some buyers want after spending time with them. However, if you are too whimsical, I might get the sense that we're just unlocking doors so you can satisfy curiosity. 
4. Return our calls. Sound familiar? Do you like it when you can't reach an agent for 3 days? It is the same here. Buyers who drop out and resurface without explanation are deemed unreliable and risky. It is only fair; stay in touch.  
5. Take our advice. The reason I give people 3 lawyers, 3 home inspectors, and 3 mortgage firms is not because I get a kickback, it is because I know that your union attorney won't return calls, an Internet bank can screw you, and your uncle Mel is not a licensed home inspector. I cannot compensate for their deficiencies. I am more effective with a cooperative team.  
6. Sign a buyer representation agreement. This tells the agent "you are hired. We won't use anyone else." You risk nothing by doing this, because if someone is hired, they can be fired if they stink. Establish performance criteria, have a 3 strikes and out rule or reasonable exit clause, and the agent is now at your service. 

Doing these things will make you hold your agent to a higher standard, and ensure that you get the most from them. Never forget that agents are human, just like you. An agent assured that they have a qualified, sincere, eager client can work confidently for that client. If they take you for granted, that can be grounds for firing them. With that leverage, everybody wins.
Via J. Philip Faranda (J. Philip LLC) Westchester County NY:
Real Estate Blog - How to Get the Most From a Real Estate Agent (17 February 2010)
  http://westchesterrealestateblog.net/post/1497979/how-to-get-the-most-from-a-real-estate-agent




Have you received a Notice of Default on your property?  What are your plans?  Do you plan to walk away or do you want to try a Short Sale which has much less damage to your credit and helps you save face? You need a plan of action and if you want to buy some time, stay in the home until it sells and save up some money - then contact:

 Kathleen Lordbock REALTOR/Staging & Short Sale Specialist 

Keller Williams Realty Brainerd Lakes

Don't just walk away - there is hope, there is help!