Now that we’ve discussed how a real estate agency works and the relationships between agents and their principals, we can now elaborate more on the agents in a home sale process.

A seller's agent all ready to hand over the keys after closing!

Seller’s Agent:

As the title suggests, they are real estate agents who are hired to represent only the seller in a given transaction. In some agencies they are also known as ‘listing agents’ because they also list homes for sale, often marketing them through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). There are also instances when seller’s agents find buyers for a home. It is part of their role – to find the right buyer for the house they are trying to sell. However throughout the transaction, the agent clearly works in the best interest of the seller alone.

How do they help?

They aim to negotiate the highest price and the best deal for the seller. They are expected to be honest with the buyer throughout the transaction. They are often required by law to disclose certain kinds of information about the property to the prospective buyer.

What they shouldn’t do?

Since a seller’s agent represents the seller, they are not supposed to provide any confidential information about the seller, to the buyer. For example they should not offer their opinion about the real value of the home or tell the buyer the price that the seller is bound to agree to.

If you need help with your current home, or intend to buy a new one, you’ve come to the right people. Express Realty Services can help you find your dream home without any hiccups. With over 20 listing and seller’s agents working in-house, we’re extremely efficient at our work!  We’ve sold over 800 homes in the DC metro area and are here to help you find your perfect place at a mortgage rate that’s most comfortable for you.

Just pick up the phone and call us at 1-888-306-9450 or visit our website.

This series will be continued. For more information on the role and function of real estate agents, continue to read our blogs.

If you have any tips or suggestions that you’d like to share, please feel free to comment on this blog post.

If you follow Arlington real estate closely, you may already be aware of the scarcity of homes listed for under $400K.  It’s a buyer’s market right now, but there are always exceptions by region/price range if you know where to look, and this is one of them.  Properties that fall under this category in the northern Virginia area are in short supply, and as a result, are listing (and selling) for more than they normally would.

…then buy for less

The flip side to this phenomenon is its effect on homes valued ABOVE $400K…  Because of the oversaturation of properties at this price point, home sellers are accepting offers lower than their home’s true worth, putting the advantage squarely in the hands of the buyers.

Now is the time to upgrade

If you’re a homeowner in Arlington with a home worth less than $400K, you now have a unique opportunity to “trade up.”  In this market, you can sell your home for more than its value and use the money to pick up a more expensive home at a discounted price.  This is a solid long term move, and a chance to secure a nicer living space for substantially less than you would normally have to pay.

Any of this sound good to you?  If you fit the criteria described above (or are simply interested in buying or selling a home), get in touch with us now and learn how to make the best move possible in the current real estate situation.