Real Estate Agent Directory

Whether you are planning on buying or selling a home, choosing the right Real Estate Agent is one of the most important decisions you will make. Please browse our Real Estate Agent Directory by State to find a local real estate agent that will advise you. Finding a Real Estate Agent is absolutely FREE.

Review Realtors and Real Estate Agent's Websites directly by clicking on the Agent's name.  Find someone who is more than a salesman, someone who really likes to help, educate and inform. 

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Role of a Real Estate Agent

The term "agent" refers to the real estate company and its sales associates. Here is how real estate agents relate to buyers and sellers in Georgia:

SELLER'S AGENT: The company (including its sales people) who has been contractually engaged by the sellers to represent them in the marketing and sale of their property. They are pledged to work in the seller's best interest, but are also obligated to be fair and honest with other parties such as buyers and other agents. Sellers' agents often work with buyers as "customers."

BUYER'S AGENT: The company and its sales person who have been contractually engaged by the buyers to locate property for them and represent their best interests. The buyer's agent is obligated to be fair and honest with other parties to the transaction including the seller. Buyer's agents are usually paid by sharing the seller's agents commission which is paid by the seller.

Frequently, the first person you consult about buying a home is a real estate agent or broker. Although real estate brokers provide helpful advice on many aspects of home buying, they may serve the interests of the seller, and not your interests as the buyer. The most common practice is for the seller to hire the broker to find someone who will be willing to buy the home on terms and conditions that are acceptable to the seller. Therefore, the real estate broker you are dealing with may also represent the seller. However, you can hire your own real estate broker, known as a buyer’s broker, to represent your interests. Also, in some states, agents and brokers are allowed to represent both buyer and seller.

Even if the real estate broker represents the seller, state real estate licensing laws usually require that the broker treat you fairly. If you have any questions concerning the behavior of an agent or broker, you should contact your State’s Real Estate Commission or licensing department.

What Does a Real Estate Agent Do?

Real estate agents counsel you through the whole buying process, from deciding what type of home you want and finding it to tracking the progress of your loan application.

The agent's first step is to determine your needs and make appointments to visit houses that fit those criteria. Once you have found a house, the agent will help you prepare an offer and negotiate with the seller's agent.

When you bought your home, you probably used the services of a real estate agent. You found that agent through a referral from a friend or family member, or through some sort of advertising or marketing. The agent helped you in many ways and eventually you found the house of your dreams, made an offer, closed the deal, and moved in.

For whatever reason, now it is time to sell your home and you need a real estate agent again. Many home sellers, especially those selling their first home, tend to think all agents are similar to the one that helped them buy their home.

Although real estate agents can work with both buyers and sellers, most tend to concentrate more on one than the other. They specialize. When you bought your home, you probably worked with a "selling agent", an agent that works mostly with buyers. Because of the nature of real estate advertising and marketing, the public’s main image of the real estate profession is that of the selling agent (buyer's agent).

As a result, many homeowners expect their listing agent to do the same things that a selling agent does – find someone to buy their home. After all, they do the things you would expect if they were searching for buyers. A sign goes up in the front yard. Ads are placed in the local newspaper and real estate magazines. Your agent holds an open house on the weekend. Your house is proudly displayed on the Internet.
But this is only "surface" marketing. More important activity occurs behind the scenes. After the "for sale" sign goes up and flyers are printed, your agent’s main job is to market your home to other agents, not to homebuyers.

How Do I select a Real Estate Agent?

Make sure you feel comfortable that they understand the real estate market, are professional, and are service-oriented. Check references. Talk to the state consumer protection agency (usually part of the Attorney General's office) or the local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any outstanding complaints. It helps if you like their personality, too. You'll be spending a lot of time with them during the process. If you decide to list a house for sale with a real estate broker, interview at least 3 who are active in the local area. Ask about their qualifications, experience and marketing plan to sell the property. Choose a broker who has sold other houses that are similar in price, location and condition. For more information, consult the Federal Trade Commission's new brochure, which explains brokerage commissions, defines basic types of listing agreements and suggests questions to ask prospective agents.

Read & Understand Every Document Before You Sign

The home buying process involves a mountain of paper. You'll be given documents to sign when you start shopping, when you make offers and counter offers for a home, as you apply for a mortgage, prior to closing, and at closing. Make sure you thoroughly read and understand every document before you sign. Don't allow yourself to be rushed. Get unbiased legal advice if you need it. Once you've signed, you'll have to live with it.

Get All Agreements & Contingencies in Writing

Too often the home purchase process gets unpleasant when verbal understandings about what is included or excluded in the home sale or contingencies don't make it into the documents. The only way to be sure there are no misunderstandings is to get everything in writing and have it signed by the buyer and seller. Make sure your agent does this for you.

How Should I select a Real Estate Agent When Selling?

Just as when selecting a buyer's agent, start by gathering recommendations from neighbors, family or friends. Make sure you feel comfortable that they understand the real estate market, are professional, and are service-oriented. Ask them what you should do to your home to make it more marketable. Check references. Negotiate the commission. A good Real Estate Agent will:

Here Are Some Helpful Questions To Ask To Help You Find The Best Real Estate Agent For You:

Getting a Written Contract

Once you’ve selected a broker, you will be asked to sign a listing agreement or contract. Make sure all the terms are in writing, including any oral promises. The agreement should include the terms of sale you will offer for your home (like the asking price), your brokerage arrangements (what the broker will do for you and how much you will pay the broker), and a start and end date of the contract. You may want to ask about or negotiate a termination clause if you become dissatisfied with the broker’s services before the end of the contract term.

There Are  2 Basic Kinds of Listing Contracts:

Selling real estate involves a lot of paperwork. To be legally enforceable, documents like listing contracts, sales agreements, offers, and counteroffers must be in writing. Just as important is knowing what the writing means. Ask your broker or lawyer, if you have hired one, to explain any forms or documents that you do not understand.

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