Real Estate Center

One of the first things to do when you are looking for real estate is to get pre-qualified. If you are not pre-qualified please click here for our on line application.

This real estate center is designed to help you with any of your real estate needs. Below are some tools to help.

Your Home Value
Listing Agents vs. Selling Agents
What to Look For in An Agent?
Questions to ask a Prospective Agent
Find a Realtor in Your Area
Home Buying Tips
Home Selling Tips

Your Home Value

If you’re thinking of selling your home in the next year, this FREE service will help you find your home’s current market value and a suggested listing price.

To receive your free home valuation, simply enter your email address and zip code in the box below, and we’ll take it from there!

Listing Agents vs. Selling Agents

When looking for a realtor, you need to know the difference between a Listing Agent and a Selling Agent. Listing agents “list” a home for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and deal primarily with sellers. Selling agents or “buyer’s” agents do not usually list homes, they deal mostly with home buyers. A Selling agent is selling you, the potential home buyer, a house, and they represent you the buyer.

Most agents concentrate primarily on one side or the other. However, this is not a “hard and fast” rule. There are also agents who split their time equally between buyers and sellers. These are often the very best Realtors.

What to Look For in an Agent

Finding an agent for either buying or selling a home is one of the most important steps in the process. There are several criteria that can help you select or exclude an agent from your list. Here are qualities to look for in an agent:

An understanding of your needs.
A willingness to work with you until your needs are fulfilled.
A sense of professionalism.
Someone who is dedicated to their profession.
A good knowledge of the area in which you have interest.
Experience buying or selling homes in your price range.
Professional designations; for example, GRI – Graduate of the REALTORS Institute, or CRS – Certified Residential Specialist.
Strong references from previous buyers.

Questions to ask a Prospective Agent

Once you have narrowed down your search for agents to a select few, be sure to ask questions to make sure they have the experience and skill that you need. Here are some questions that will help you.

How long have you been in Real Estate?
Are you a full time agent?
Are you familiar with the area in which we are interested? How many houses did you either help sell or buy in this area in the last 6 months?
How many home sales did you participate in last year?
What is the average price of the homes you sold in the last 6 months?
How many buyers are you presently working with? How many sellers?
Can you provide me with 3 buyers that will offer a reference for you?

Find a Realtor in Your Area

We will help you find a licensed professional Real Estate Agent in your area. Please enter your zipcode for more information.

Be aware: If you search for homes first and contact the Agent who has a particular property listed, that Agent represents the seller first and foremost--not you.

Search newspaper and homes magazines ads for Agents who advertise that they have experience in and offer Buyer Representation.

Ask friends, relatives and co-workers about experiences--both good and bad--that they have had with specific Agents. Was the Agent easy to work with? Did they felt that the Agent was responsive to and met their needs? Would they use this Agent again?

Home Buying Tips

Click on the links below to learn tips on buying a home.

Why Buying a Home is a Good Idea
Things Not to Do Before Purchasing a Home
Home Inspection Warranties
Can I Negotiate Price on a New Home?
Impound Accounts
Fixer-Uppers

Home Selling Tips

Click on the links below to learn tips on selling your home.

Improving Your Real Estate
Setting the Price of Your Home
Preparing Your House to Sell
Working with a real estate agent