Criteria to use in selecting a buyer's agent that is right for you

In today's world, what is a buyer to do?  If you are a first time buyer, you may be  scared into "in-action" due to the overwhelming amount of infomation we have been besieged with every day over the past few weeks.   What does it all mean?

First, let's change the word "scared" into "concern".  It's normal and reasonable to be concerned.  You are about to move forward with your largest investment and like any new endevour, you don't know what you don't know.  
So, it's important to understand the main source of your concern. 

• Is it that you’re a first-time home buyer and the process is new? 
• Or have you been watching the news and have heard how horrible things are? 
• Perhaps you know someone like a friend, family member, or friends-of-friends have lost their home to foreclosure?

The old adage, "Knowledge is Power" was never more true than in purchasing your first home.  So, 
          #1-  Find an agent who is not only seasoned and knowledgable, but is an educator too.  You need to know what the homebuying process entails, and to have the concerns you have about the process
addressed. 
Just in the past few days, I read a term "pop tart agent" (I am unable to properly credit the term because I don't remember the site or blog I first saw it, but it stuck with me). 
You call about a house and the agent Pops Up to show it to you.  How can they show you a house when they have no idea what your needs and wants are?  That method has the agent meeting face to face in hopes of "capturing" a new client.  Hmmmm ... now that is a reason for concern.
          #2-  Your agent should be meeting with you before popping up to show you anything.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss in detail your goals, your needs in the house you want to buy, the process of buying a home, and if it's the right thing for you.  The agent can introduce you to their services, experience and areas of expertise, as well as the way they do business.  Most especially, are they able to gve you concrete information about the news reports, the currnet, local market conditions, and how it all affects you.  You can decide together if this is the right agent for you.
         #3-  Mortgage Pre-approval.  This is a biggie, especially in today's lending world. 
How can the Realtor® help you with your home search if you or they don't know whether you can afford the kind of house you want? 
Does it benefit you to waste your precious time on a search that cannot reap the desired result?  If the agent does not value their own time enough to help you realize you need to make some changes, either in your search criteria, or timing, how on earth will they be able to value your precious time? 
One of the things that I consistently hear people saying is "I'm so busy".  It does not seem to matter whether the person is single, married, with or without children. 
We are all stretched to the limit with our time contraints. Don't squander yours with an agent who doesn't care if you squander theirs.
         #4-  If the previous 3 items have been fully addressed, "concern" should be replaced by  "confidence" in the partner you have found to help you with your real estate purchase.   

There are many reasons to buy in this fall market.  Lower prices, good interest rates, and choices.    Postponing a purchase today, may mean you have less to choose from in a few months or next spring.  During the past few months, there has been a decrease in local "inventory" and the days on the market are beginning to shorten.  Why?  Sellers and their agents are pricing the properties to sell according to location and condition.  Those are the conditions that have to be in place for the market to turn. 

Isn't an ACRE a parcel of land?

hat is an ACRE™? 
It does refer to a measurement of land size.   

It also stands for Accredited Consultant in Real Estate™.   You may have seen reference to ACRE™ on the Real Town homepage or written about in the education section by clicking on the Education tab. 
If you are Realtor®, it is a designation worth pursuing.  

If you are a consumer, you may be asking yourself:
How Does Consulting Differ From the Real Estate Sales approach?
Is it just a fancy new catch phrase that means the same way of doing business?

I graduated from the ACRE™ program with this designation late last summer.
The consulting model provides the Realtor® the tools to Give their Clients Choices for Services They Need and Want and the way to pay for them!
The "one size fits all" model of the traditional commission structure is not for everyone.
Consulting is finding out the needs of the client and then recommending the options that best fit those needs. Based on the Needs Analysis, we may find out the traditional commission structure is the right thing. If we find out it's not, then there are solutions for you!

I had written about this topic last fall, and since then, I have learned so much about it.  I have used it in several presentations for sellers and investors ... no buyers yet.  The reaction has been very positive.  Consumers are not used to having options, so it's nice to see the connection begin to take place as I lay out the choices they have.  They see numbers attached to each option and begin to just shake their heads.  It makes so much sense to them and they are excited!  It's great.

If you compare it to going out to dinner, sometimes you like to sit down, order off the menu and have someone take care of you.
Other times when you go out, you may be in the mood for a serve yourself buffet line. It is sometimes less expensive than the order off the menu option (or not), and it may be the right thing for you at the time.
Consulting is similar ... it's having a choice. Now isn't that a refreshing change of pace?

This is a very brief description.  You may choose to find out more, or you may choose not to.  Either way is perfectly fine, because after all, isn't that what choice is all about?