What is a Full Service Realtor?
If you are in the market for a new home or thinking about selling the home you own, you have undoubtedly been thinking about which real estate professional you need on your team to accomplish your goals. And that’s where things can get confusing for many.
If purchasing a home is in your future, a buyer’s agent can help walk you through the process from getting pre-qualified to finding the home of your dreams while also helping you make informed decisions about your offer details.
If selling is on the horizon, a listing agent will be key to your success. According to Money.com, 90 percent of sellers use a listing agent to sell their home because they will walk you through the process of getting the home ready to hit the market, negotiating offers, and getting you through the contract period and to the closing table.
At ERA Shields Real Estate, we are a full-service brokerage, and all our agents are experienced on both sides. So, if you plan to sell and buy, you only need to select one agent to help you. If you enjoy working with a trusted professional for multiple transactions, you can choose one agent and stick with them for years to come. And all our agents are Realtors, which means we are members of the National Association of Realtors and bound by the NAR’s strict code of ethics, giving you an extra level comfort.
Full service also means our agents will provide you with the proper time to answer questions and ensure you have a full understanding of the process that lies ahead; serve as the facilitator for important behind-the-scenes activities such as title work; provide clear instructions for things you need to do; and if selling, provide the proper resources to list and market your home to ensure you get top dollar. These strategies will vary depending on the property but should include extensive online marketing, professional photos/video, multiple listing service exposure, signage and more.
A limited-service brokerage will offer a discount on their services as well as fewer available services. These brokerages can be set up in different ways from a flat fee package that cannot be customized to a flat fee plus client-purchased services from an al a carte menu. It is important to understand what services may not be included with a limited-service brokerage because it may not be the proper route to help you achieve your goals. In addition, agents associated with this type of brokerage may also be less experienced in the real estate process and in negotiation skills.
If you already have a trusted advisor who can help you with all your real estate needs, then you are in good shape. But perhaps you are new to the area or in the market for a new agent because yours retired or moved away. Start by asking family and friends for referrals and hopefully one or two names will keep popping up. Be prepared to ask questions that will be important to you such as length of time in the business, ratio of buyers vs. sellers they work with, whether their brokerage is full-service, areas they cover or are familiar with and listing services included in their package. Ultimately the agent you choose should make you feel comfortable and confident that you will achieve your goals.
