10 Benefits of Hiring a
Real Estate Agent

Hiring a real estate agent

Living expenses and conditions are getting more difficult, so people are trying their best to cut costs. So if you are looking to buy or sell a house it is also important to save money in the long run, and this is where a real estate agent comes in. In this article we provide you detailed information on the qualities and functions of a broker, as well as 10 benefits of hiring a real estate agent in Costa Rica.

The job of a real estate agent is to be an intermediary and help people buy, sell or rent property. They do this by listening carefully for their client’s needs while using knowledge about local markets in order match them with houses that meet those specifications.

When you’re looking to buy a house, it’s important that the agent helping with your purchase is knowledgeable about prices in the area. They should also advise their clients on what they think is an appropriate asking price or fair offer for properties in question, make sure all necessary paperwork gets filed correctly and on time, and ensure customer satisfaction.

What are the daily tasks of a real estate agent?

The main task of an agent is to provide guidance, support and advice to their clients in a complete and honest way, so that the process is beneficial for everyone. Therefore, they must be able to communicate clearly, know how to negotiate, empathize and understand other points of view, and have an open mind to be able to find solutions to the problems that may arise.

In addition, brokers must know the area in which they work, have a general idea of ​​the prices in the sector, be familiar with the requirements and legal documents that the client needs to present to his bank, municipality, etc., coordinate visits to the property, and be able to draft rental and purchase-sale contracts.

Among the daily tasks of a real estate agent is answering calls, messages and emails from people interested in a property, contacting clients with updates or to coordinate a visit, making the necessary advertising to available properties, visiting a new client to take photos and video of their property, and many others that may come up during the process.

Things to Consider When Looking for a Real Estate Agent

Ethical considerations

In the context of real estate, there are many ethical considerations when it comes to working with an agent, which can range from being mindful of their experience, to knowing how to work with an agent who doesn’t have your best interest at heart.

First, you want to make sure that the person has experience working as a real estate agent, the more the better.

Next, consider the commission structure. It is important to find out how much they charge before making any decisions about whether or not you will work with them. Ideally, you will want an agent who charges 5% of the sale price of your home, as this is typically considered fair compensation for their time and expertise, and it’s what is legally accepted.

When you’re looking to hire a real estate agent, it’s important to know if they’re acting in your best interest. You should also keep in mind that some real estate agents are more ethical than others—so it’s always good to do your research before choosing one!

Hiring a real estate agent with ethics

Types of contracts

There are two types of contracts: exclusive or non-exclusive, which allow you to do business with one or more agents for the same property.

If you end up having problems with the agent, an exclusive contract may become problematic. Furthermore, if you find another broker more suitable for your property or more to your liking, you won’t be able to hire them.

It’s always better to have a non-exclusive contract to keep your options open.

So, really think about it and do what is best for you, taking into account what you need before signing anything.

How do I choose a real estate agent?

Choosing a good real estate agent can seem a bit challenging. Here are some questions to guide you to make an informed decision:

  • What’s their style and approach?

Different agents have different styles. For example, some agents are very aggressive when trying to close a deal, while others are more patient and reserved. Take the time to figure out what kind of agent you’re looking for so you can make sure you’re not wasting anyone’s time.

  • How much experience do they have?

The more experience an agent has, the more likely they’ll be able to help you buy or sell your property quickly. Look at the number of properties they’ve sold, as well as their reputation and how they treat their clients.

  • What kind of fee structure do they use?

Some agents charge a flat rate, others charge by the hour, while others work on a case-by-case basis. Make sure that you are clear on the exact amount of the commission and every aspect related to this. Both of you need to agree on it so that there aren’t any problems or misunderstandings.

10 Benefits of Hiring a Real Estate Agent

Time benefits of hiring a real estate agent

There are many benefits of hiring a real estate agent when you are in the process of buying or selling your home. The following are 10 reasons why you might want to work them whether to buy or sell a property.

Advantages for the seller of a property

  1. Real estate agents usually have clients already who are looking to buy a property, and that could be your house. They also advertise your property on different sites in order to find a potential buyer faster.
  2. The agent takes high-quality photos and videos of your property and uses the best ones in each ad. She may also advise you on how to present the property to make it more attractive to potential clients.
  3. The agent can advise you on making improvements to your home that will help you attract more buyers and potentially sell the property faster and for a better price.
  4. They can help you value your home at the right price, aligned to your interests and needs. Most real estate agents can easily determine if a house is overpriced or under-priced. Someone with no experience can spend hours researching the market to figure this out.
  5. An experienced agent can help the potential buyers visualize themselves living in the house, which helps to sell the property faster.

Advantages for the buyer of a property

  1. A good real estate agent will select the properties based on your wish list, and guide you from the beginning to make the buying process as smooth as possible for you, making it easy and stress-free.
  2. Real estate agents are aware of the properties available in the area, and it’s their job to find the one that suits your needs and budget.
  3. An experienced agent will know which neighborhoods are close to schools, which have experienced the greatest increase in market value over the years, and which are the most promising projects in an area. This will help you determine whether or not a neighborhood is a good fit for your investment.
  4. As an investor, one of the main benefits of hiring a real estate agent is that they can provide you with data such as current market conditions and trends, average sales prices in areas of interest, information to calculate the ROI, identify comparable properties, and find out other details so that you can make an informed decision quickly.
  5. Many buyers look for a property that is in good condition so they don’t have to spend money on repairs. An experienced agent knows what types of “hidden” issues there may be that could lead to unwanted expenses and setbacks over time.
These are just a few examples of how a real estate agent can guide you, make the buying and selling process easier and save you valuable time.

Why should you work with us?

At Luz D Sol Real Estate we work with integrity and dedication, we take into account the needs and desires of those who request our service, and we know that when our clients win, we also win.

We work with transparency and honesty so that our interaction is a peaceful and satisfying one.

Take us into account when you want to buy, sell or rent a property. We will provide you with excellent service!

home sweet home

Frequently Asked Questions

What characteristics should a good real estate agent have?

It is important that the agent you hire is honest, respectful, and genuinely interested in helping you.

Unfortunately, there are brokers who are only interested in making a quick buck, no matter what their clients are really looking for. These people do the minimum work and expect the maximum reward, and often overprice a property to gain more money to the detriment of the client.

It is always a good idea to talk to the agent for a bit before hiring him, to see if you would feel comfortable working with this person. Visit their website and see how you feel, and if you don’t feel good about this broker just find another one you do want to work with.

There are many agents who do have the desire to help and make the most of the negotiation for everyone involved, who have a “win-win” attitude, and when you find this type of advisor they will be of great help to you.

Do I need to hire a real estate agent?

This depends on the local laws of where you are located or where you are looking to buy.

However, here in Atenas Costa Rica, it is not necessary to hire a real estate agent when buying or selling a property. If you have the time to do everything that comes up in the process, you can definitely do it yourself and you can learn a lot by doing it.

On the other hand, you may benefit more from hiring the services of a real estate agent, as it can save you a lot of valuable time. In addition, advertising and other expenses are paid by the broker out of their pocket.

Do you add a surcharge to the selling price to cover your commission?

No, we do not. We always publish the sale price that the owner tells us, we do not use a surcharge. It is our policy to work with integrity and honesty to give you the excellent service you deserve.