Most buyers contact a real estate agency
when they’re looking for a home, in part because most sellers
put their property on the market that way.
You may work either with a
broker,
who is licensed to operate a real estate company and collect a
fee for arranging a sale, or with a licensed
agent
who works for the broker.
Since brokers and agents traditionally represent
the seller and are paid a commission based on the sales price,
they’ll try to get the best possible price for the property.
That’s why some shoppers choose to find their house through
a
buyer’s
agent
who they feel will negotiate for their best interests.
Attorneys
Most experts advise you to use an experienced
real estate lawyer to review any contract you’re considering
and to handle the details of buying a home. There’s always
lots of paperwork involved, much of it in specialized language.
You don’t want to agree, unknowingly, to conditions that
aren’t in your favor. You’ll have to pay a fee for using
an attorney, but it’s generally modest in comparison to the
money you’re spending on the property.
Why are some brokers called realtors?
A realtor® is a real estate broker
who belongs to the National Association of Realtors,
a professional trade organization.
