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I hope this information helps you better understand the real estate profession and how working with a realtor can benefit you. My job as your Professional Columbus Ohio Realtor is to provide all the necessary information, show you all of your options and provide the guidance you need to make an educated decision on your Columbus Ohio Real Estate needs. There are many bad stereotypes of real estate agents and I work very hard to ensure you reailze they don't apply to all agents, especially not me!
If you really want to know why you should work with me I think it's important you hear what many of my past clients have experienced - because what they say about me is WAY more relevant to you than what I could say about myself! Click to read: PETRA'S SUCCESS STORIES. Please don't hesitate to call me anytime from 8am-10pm EST at 614-895-0496 for personal assistance with your Central Ohio Real Estate needs. Petra (Pay-tra) |
When you are ready to buy, sell or build your home, condo or investment property you need to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have the time, energy, sources of information and contacts to do the job yourself?
- Do you have the knowledge to understand all aspects of buying or selling and how current market trends affect the Columbus Ohio real estate market?
- Do you anticipate the results of your transaction will be as good or better than they would be if you had professional assistance?
- Would working with a Columbus Ohio Realtor help the process go more smoothly and protect your best interests?
- Do you think having a realtor involved might likely allow you to purchase for less or sell for more?
The process of buying, selling and building a home in Columbus Ohio can be a confusing, complex one. Finding the right Columbus Ohio Realtor is the first of many important steps that can make a difference in how quickly you sell or buy your home, condo or investment property and for how much. |
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WHAT CAN A REALTOR DO F0R YOU? |
As a consumer in the Columbus Ohio real estate market, you will benefit from the services of an experienced Columbus Ohio Realtor throughout the home buying or selling process. A good real estate agent will:
- Help you determine what the proper selling price of your home should be, or how much home you can afford.
- Suggest ways to accrue the down payment and explain alternative financing methods when buying.
- Share information on current property values in the Columbus Ohio real estate market, taxes, utility data, municipal services, and local zoning changes they may be aware of.
- Research your housing needs through the Columbus Ohio MLS (multiple listing service) and other sources for non listed homes.
- Show you homes that best meet your needs and desires.
- Suggest simple and imaginative changes to ehance your home's appeal, to help it sell more quickly and improve it's value.
A realtor should be sensitive to the major commitment you are about to make. Look for a real estate professional to facilitate negotiation of a win-win agreement that will satisfy both buyer and seller. |
| REALTORS SPEND MOST OF THEIR TIME: |
- Counseling buyers & sellers
- Showing homes to buyers
- Marketing their current listings
- Coordinating transactions from purchase to closing
- Previewing homes for buyers and sellers
- Holding open houses
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- Maintaining their website
- Researching financing options
- Keeping informed of current market trends
- Understanding legal issues that affect Columbus Ohio Real estate
- Continuing professional education
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Columbus Ohio Realtors are licensed real estate professionals who are members of the Columbus Board of Realtors, and subscribe to, the National Association of Realtors strict Code of Ethics. Realtors must complete coursework and have ongoing continuing education requirements in order to obtain and keep their license. Their clients have the right to expect and receive specific fiduciary duties of confidentiality, loyalty, faithfulness, full-disclosure, obedience, reasonable care, diligence and accounting. REALTORS employ the highest expertise in providing service, savings and satisfaction, as well as pledge to provide fair and ethical treatment to both buyers and sellers. Realtors can assist you with buying, selling, building, relocating and investing in the Columbus ohio real estate market.
Realtors can represent either the buyer or the seller, or both if the situation arises where the listing is one that is listed by the buyer's agent. This situation would be considered dual agency in the state of Ohio and requires that the agent treat both parties honestly and fairly. |
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All of this work is done with a desire to earn your loyalty, develop a lasting relationship with you based on respect and also to build a personal reputation for the highest quality professional service available.
Typically people selling a home have agreed to pay a commission to their listing broker, based upon a percentage of the selling price. The listing broker then splits the commission with the listing agent and also provides a co-op fee to the buyer's broker who then splits their share of the commission with the buyers agent. Some buyer's think that if they go directly to the listing agent to purchase a home they may get a better deal. This is simply not true because the commission is set in writing in the listing agreement up front. It simply means the listing agent will get all of the commission and the buyer does not get the true representation they deserve.
Realtors in Columbus Ohio, have a contractual agreement with their real estate company, which states they may list and sell real estate as an independent, licensed realtor representing the broker. Here's an illustration of the typical commission split in the Central Ohio Real Estate Market: |
| 6-7% Commission is paid by the seller to the listing broker company |
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3-4% goes to listing broker company |
3% goes to buyer's agent broker company |
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20-50% is retained by the listing agent's broker |
30-50% is retained by the buyer's agent broker |
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Listing agent is paid by their broker company |
Buyer's agent is paid by their broker company |
| Since realtors are self-employed, they receive no salary, company car, expense account, vacation pay, health insurance, retirement, social security benefits, etc. Realtors are not paid for their efforts but are paid only after successfully completing a property transaction at closing. A realtor's pay can vary depending on which real estate company they work for. |
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Realtors also pay for the following expenses to operate a successful business: |
- Licensing fees
- MLS access fees
- Gas mileage
- Columbus Board of Realtors Fees
- Continuing education courses
- All property advertising
- Lock boxes
- Yard & open house signs
- Virtual tour charges
- Advertising & marketing of their services
- Website maintenance & hosting
- Cell phone, paging & answering services, etc.
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- Creation & copying of home brochures
- Postage & courier fees
- Business cards, stationary & office supplies
- Personal assistant salary & taxes
- Computer hardware & software
- Conference & convention expenses
- Office rent
- Membership dues for industry associations
- and much more!
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