As a buyer or seller of real estate, you probably think that all

real estate agents get six (or more) per cent commission, just for

showing you a property.? As a seller, you may see the agent place

your home on the market, hold an open house, then sit back and

wait.? Buyers have agents drive them around different

neighborhoods, they fall in love with a house, the agent writes it

up and the work is done.?

Wrong. On so many counts.?

What your full service real estate agent doesn't tell you is that

buying or selling a home is not like buying a car. A car

salesperson does just that, sell you a car. The right real estate

agent offers you a lifestyle.? Your home, whether you buy it to

live in or for investment, is probably the single largest

investment you will have.

With that in mind, it is vital that buyers and sellers find the

right real estate agent to work with.? How do you do that?

Real estate agents come in all shapes and sizes, personality wise.

Agents can be a concierge, interior decorator, mediator,

counselor, negotiator, personal assistant, financial advisor,

analyst, friend or all of the above.?

JB Bartel of John L. Scott Real Estate, Port Orchard, WA,

considers herself part of a family support team. JB has a graduate

degree from University of Oregon, is a Certified Residential

Specialist (only five percent of realtors nationwide have this)

and is a Graduate of the Real Estate Institute. All this, along

with her outgoing personality, make for the perfect agent for

first time buyers, out of town buyers and the 'family tree' of

buyers. JB says, "I take personal responsibility for out of town

buyers. I check the home, if empty, to see that lights, heat and

landscaping are taken care of."?

And you thought all they want is money.?

Remember, agents do not get paid until the deal is closed, so many

agents provide concierge service as part of their personal

marketing.

Michael Ley of Parkshore/Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Port

Orchard, WA, uses his analytical skills to "research, collect,

interpret, and disseminate data regarding local real estate

markets". Michael, who has additional education in Real Estate

Law, says this skill helps prospects make informed decisions.?

You cannot get this type of service online! However, you can get

great attention, and more, from a full service real estate agent.?

Bea Newhall of Frank Howard Allen, Greenbrae, CA, helps people

become part of the community by helping them have their share of

the American Dream. Because real estate is not an exact science,

each transaction being different, the business is challenging.

The ability to integrate the issues presented to buyers and

sellers requires the real estate agent to be flexible, well versed

about their area and intelligent enough to meld these skills to

complete satisfaction for buyers and sellers.

Bea says, Client satisfaction is the best thing about being a

realtor".?

You now know that your real estate agent comes in

many shapes and sizes.

In order to find the right fit for yourself, use this check list:?

1. Call friends and family and ask for real estate agent

referrals.?

2. Check "For Sale" signs in your neighborhood and jot down the

names.?

3. Make appointments with these agents and discuss how they run

their business.?

4. Make an informed decision on who to work with based on who

makes you feel the most comfortable and safe.?

You never know until you ask and you want the most important

decision in your life to be as stress free as possible. Ask your

prospective real agent the questions that will satisfy you, the

questions that your real estate agents never get asked.