What are the services of a Realtor?
When it’s time to put your house or condo on the market, many people wonder if they are better off selling as a “by owner” or using the services of a realtor. The reason for the quandary is typically a financial one. It is a common myth that the seller will net greater proceeds from the sale of their own home or condo if they sell it themselves. In reality, buyers are typically looking for the “by owner” to drop the price of the realtors commissions as much as 6=10% below the price of comparable homes listed by real estate companies. Buyers can find a more selection of homes and a more trusted sale if they use the services of a realtor.
What are some of the benefits of using a Realtor?
- Your Realtor can help you understand the home selling process from putting your home on the market through closing.
- Advises you as to the right price for the home based on their knowledge of what comparable homes sold for in the last 6 months to 1 year.
- Assists you in determining the necessary home improvements required to get you property in the best selling condition possible and at the lowest possible cost to you.
- Develops your personalized marketing plan and places your home in the Multiple Listing Service to reach as many qualified buyers as possible.
- Handles the showing of your property so your schedule is not tied up keeping appointments with prospective purchasers.
- Negotiates the offer to purchase objectively to obtain the highest possible price for your home.
- Leads you through the home inspection phase and negotiates on your behalf
- Tracks the various stages of the sale from contract to closing.
- Coordinates with all parties involved to provide all the information needed to bring the sale to a successful close.
When using the services of a realtor these are only a few of the things they do for you, the seller. Selling your home is a big deal and most people don’t sell more than two homes in their lifetime so it is not something in which they develop an expertise. There are ever changing laws, ethical considerations and practical considerations that most home sellers do not want to learn through trial and error. Your home is most likely your most valuable financial asset and the last thing you want to do is jeopardize that, it’s just not worth the risk.
Real Estate
There have been so many changes in the real estate market the past decade it is almost too much to keep up with. It is not only what has been going on regarding buyers and sellers but real estate agents today are much more sophisticated than ever before. The one area that has had the most impact is technology which has completely changed how realtors today conduct their business. The internet has become an integral part of every company and agent in which to conduct their business. It allows agents and companies to spread themselves and the marketing of properties to a whole new level. Creation of websites allows marketing to be conducted 24/7 reaching many more customers at times the customer wishes to access information important to them. It is a tool all agents and companies should add to their tool box but it will never be the magic answer to successfully selling real estate. The internet alone will not make a unskilled agent a skilled agent. Success or failure in real estate relies on many factors.
One of the most important skills needed today for successful real estate agents is time management. Time is something we can never make but we can certainly make money. Most agents feel their time management skills are adequate but if they to take a look at what they do each day and each week they would be surprised to see how little time is spent doing what they need to do to make a living. Too many agents do not plan their days as any other business requires of their employees and it is relatively simple. The last thing before you finish your day is set your priorities and plan tomorrow. Sound easy, it is. When you have your day planned and written out it is much easier to stay focused on what needs to be done. Start with your first priority and stay focused on it till you have finished it. Then move on to the next until your schedule is completed which does not always mean you will complete all your scheduled events each day but at least you are managing your time and determining what priorities will make you successful. Real Estate agents today cover more ground and are required to work with a greater variety of customers than they have in the past. It is not uncommon for agents to cover vast geographic areas whether they are in an urban or rural setting so managing your time effectively can mean more sales and more money.
Chicago Realtors
Choosing the right Chicago Realtor can make all the difference in the world. Chicago contains some of the most culturally rich communities in the United States. Each neighborhood maintains a strong identity due to what immigrant population first settled the area and with the gentrification of many of these neighborhoods that original culture remains alongside many other diverse ethnic groups. Chicago is partitioned into four main sections, Downtown, the North Side, the South Side, and the West Side with over 77 different neighborhoods each offering a certain style of living. Knowing where to look could be overwhelming. Most agents only know a few of these neighborhoods so you might have to talk with several companies to get a good feel for what area in which you might want to buy.
Each of the neighborhoods in Chicago offers new construction as well as conversions of older brown and graystones and converted apartment buildings. The amenities in any of these can be quite diverse. Older buildings do not always mean older wiring or plumbing. Chicago Realtors and developers are ahead of most others using premier products and state of the art technology. Walking into some of the older conversions can seem like a walk in the past but underneath is an infrastructure of the highest quality and workmanship. Condos in Chicago today are known throughout the country for their design and quality.
With so much to look at and know what does a Chicago Realtor do for you? Most people don’t know and are sometimes reluctant to find out because they think working with a realtor is going to cost them money. In some instances this is absolutely correct but with most people looking to buy a home or condo there is no cost.
So let’s take a look at some of what a realtor can do for you.
- Send you detailed listings of areas and property types of your choice
- Make appointments and accompany you to see your selected properties
- Update and inform you on all important information in the real estate market
- Aggressively negotiate on your behalf
- Assist you with resources regarding financing matters
- Give you all my experience and guide you through the entire buying process
A good realtor does all these things and more to make sure the decision you make is one you are comfortable with and feel is the right thing to do, especially in today’s volatile market.
Hiring a Realtor
When you are thinking of buying or selling real estate hiring a realtor is not easy decision. Real estate agents are licensed professionals requiring completion of initial educational requirements and to maintain their license is required throughout their career to take continuing education courses. It is not an easy task to become a licensed realtor and to succeed requires time, energy, creativity and money. Most real estate agents are independent contractors which means they pay their own expenses no matter if the market is booming or bust. As with most parts of the country real estate jobs are currently plentiful but opportunities are there for the taking if you have that entrepreneur spirit that most successful real estate agents possess.
When hiring a realtor most people think they do nothing all day but drive around in their big cars, show a few homes, go to the country club and pick up a big check every few weeks. Nothing is further from the truth. The true job description of a successful real estate agent is longer than most CEO’s of major corporations. Agents are small or big depending on their success, independent business owners who must be counselors, financial experts, expert negotiators, educators, marketing specialists, public relations experts, and more often than not a chauffeur. When it comes to buying or selling real estate there is little a real estate agent does not do for their customer or client.
Real estate jobs in major metropolitan areas offer their own set of challenges and hiring a realtor is no different. With most metropolitan areas which cover hundreds of square miles, as an agent how do you choose what areas in which to work? Obviously you would like to work close to home but that is not always possible or the best choice. Agents many times travel long distances and work long hours to service their customers and clients. Real estate agents derive most of their business from friends, family, and the referrals they generate which means they will list or show property over the entire metro area as well as surrounding suburbs and counties.
The real estate business can be a rewarding career but not for the faint of heart. The market offers many challenges and opportunities for those who possess that entrepreneurial spirit and are willing to put in the time and effort required to be successful. For those of us who have made real estate a lifelong career there is no other job or career that can compare.
Services of a Realtor
When it's time to put your house or condo on the market, many people wonder if they are better off selling as a "by owner" or using the services of a realtor. The reason for the quandary is typically a financial one. It is a common myth that the seller will net greater proceeds from the sale of their own home or condo if they sell it themselves. In reality, buyers are typically looking for the "by owner" to drop the price of the realtors commissions as much as 6=10% below the price of comparable homes listed by real estate companies. Buyers can find a more selection of homes and a more trusted sale if they use the services of a realtor.
What are some of the benefits of using a Realtor?
- Your Realtor can help you understand the home selling process from putting your home on the market through closing.
- Advises you as to the right price for the home based on their knowledge of what comparable homes sold for in the last 6 months to 1 year.
- Assists you in determining the necessary home improvements required to get you property in the best selling condition possible and at the lowest possible cost to you.
- Develops your personalized marketing plan and places your home in the Multiple Listing Service to reach as many qualified buyers as possible.
- Handles the showing of your property so your schedule is not tied up keeping appointments with prospective purchasers.
- Negotiates the offer to purchase objectively to obtain the highest possible price for your home.
- Leads you through the home inspection phase and negotiates on your behalf
- Tracks the various stages of the sale from contract to closing.
- Coordinates with all parties involved to provide all the information needed to bring the sale to a successful close.
When using the services of a realtor these are only a few of the things they do for you, the seller. Selling your home is a big deal and most people don't sell more than two homes in their lifetime so it is not something in which they develop an expertise. There are ever changing laws, ethical considerations and practical considerations that most home sellers do not want to learn through trial and error. Your home is most likely your most valuable financial asset and the last thing you want to do is jeopardize that, it's just not worth the risk.
Extension of homebuyer tax credit
An extension of the homebuyer tax credit is assured, now that both the Senate and House of Representatives have passed the measure. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the new homebuyer tax credit bill on Friday, Nov. 6.
The Senate's 98-0 unanimous approval of the measure on Nov. 4, followed by passage in the House on Thursday by a 403-12 vote the following day, is an indication of how popular the program is. It is attached to a bill that will also give 20 weeks of extra unemployment insurance to people who have been jobless since last year.
Only first-time homebuyers were eligible to benefit from the original tax credit, which was first offered as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. At that time, a $7,500 first-time home buyer tax credit was available for those who purchased a home between April 8, 2008, and July 1, 2009. Then, under Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress raised the credit to $8,000 and extended the deadline to Nov. 30.
The extension of the homebuyer tax credit, as stated in House Bill 3548, makes the program available to many current homeowners as well as first-time home buyers. First-time buyers (or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the past three years) would still be able to get the $8,000 credit, and current qualified homeowners could get a tax credit of up to $6,500. The lesser amount would be available to homebuyers who have been in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period in the past eight years. To qualify for the tax credit, participants must meet certain income limits and would have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30.
Under the new bill, intended to help spur activity in the slumping real estate market in Chicago and elsewhere, qualifying income levels have been raised to $125,000 for single taxpayers and $250,000 for joint taxpayers, from the current $75,000 and $150,000.
The maximum purchase price allowed for any house or condo would be $800,000, and only for principal residences, so vacation homes would not qualify.
According to the National Association of Realtors, which has been lobbying for an extension , as many as 400,000 resale transactions (out of 1.2 million homes sold through the program) were completed specifically because of the first-time home buyer tax credit, thereby helping to clear up the glut of available properties. Supporters believe the benefits of extending and expanding the tax credit will outweigh the cost, which could amount to as much as $10.8 billion in lost taxes.
According to U.S. Treasury statistics released in October, about $8.5 billion in refunds have already been claimed for new and resale homes. Provisions to curb fraud were added to the extension of the homebuyer tax credit after the Internal Revenue Service identified 167 suspected criminal schemes and began examining more than 100,000 potential civil violations of the program.
Chicago Real Estate Jobs
How tough is it to succeed in Chicago real estate jobs today? The market seems to be hot for some, not for too many others. How are some companies failing while other companies are wailing? The key to success lies within the individual, not the company.
Where are there Chicago real estate jobs? Chicago real estate jobs normally mean selling real estate in Chicago. Most companies are looking for agents because they basically do not pay for them. Almost the entire industry is made up of independent contractors, meaning that the agents do not get paid a salary. Normally the way it works is the agent places their Illinois real estate sales license with a brokerage. Once they are with that firm, they go out on to the streets of Chicago and look for business, people who want to sell or buy a condominium. Once they have established the relationship and begin servicing the client, the potential for making a sale is there.Â
If a real estate agent makes a sale, he or she is paid a percentage of the purchase price. For instance, if the sales price was $200,000 they might get a 5% commission or $10,000. This commission is handed over to the brokerage and then a percentage goes to the sales agent and a percentage goes to the company. Every company has a different commission split. On average, the agent will make about 60% of the commission while the company will keep 40%. This is just an average though. It's different from one agency to the next.
Chicago real estate jobs are plentiful because every real estate company is looking for more agents to sell real estate. The more agents, the more income for the agency. The problem is not the job. The question that needs to be asked is if you're ready to begin a 100% commissioned based business where you do not get paid unless you make a sale. 100% commission are words that conjure up fear in the meek and excite the aggressive. 100% commissions mean you can make as much money as you'd like. There is no ceiling. Real estate selling can change a person's life if they're good at it.
Chicago real estate jobs are abundant. Get your real estate license and interview the companies out there and start selling some Chicago real estate. You'll know about six months later if the Chicago real estate job was for you.
Careers in Chicago Realty
Are you interested in careers in Chicago Realty? Real estate can be one of the most rewarding jobs because it's almost as if you're running your own business within a business. Ninety-nine percent of the industry is made up of real estate brokerages that hire individuals that have their Illinois sales license. Once these sales agents join a brokerage, they are independent contractors, not getting paid anything unless they sell real estate. What that means is no limits. When you sell a piece of real estate you get paid a percentage of that condo transaction. No one can tell you you're making too much money. You can sell a condo a week, a condo a month or a condominium each quarter. It's all based on your actions.
A career in Chicago Real Estate can not only be rewarding as an interesting field, but it has many advantages outside of just purely making money. The investment opportunities are immense because your in the inside. You see deals everyday. You'll be involved in contract negotiations and you'll understand how the world of investing in real estate really is. You'll learn from some of the experts and you'll meet a lot of great people along the way.
I've seen rookies come into this business and three months later they're making $5,000 a week. I've seen people make over one million dollars in a three year time frame, quit the business and open their own business in a filed they were more passionate about. But, they made their initial money selling real estate.
The down side to a career in Chicago Realty is the very beginning. You do not get paid hourly, so the first month or two as you're getting to know the business is basically with no income coming in. It may take you a few months to make your first sale. Once the condo is under contract, it may take another thirty to sixty days to close the deal. Now you're talking about five months of zero income. Once you get over this initial period, you should be alright. Each closing is normally a commission of about $4,000 to you. Sell one condo a month and you're making $50,000 a year. Sell one condo a week and you're making in excess of $200,000.
In the end, a career in Chicago real estate could be an incredible turning point for you. Do you have the fire in the belly for it?
Chicago real estate jobs
Chicago real estate jobs vary from being a secretary at a real estate agency to running a full fledged real estate brokerage. There are a number of opportunities to be involved in running a real estate organization. Starting from the top down, real estate brokerages are run primarily by the managing broker of the real estate office. This real estate job can only be run by someone with a real estate broker’s license which is different from a real estate agents license.
To obtain a real estate broker’s license in Illinois you must attend 120 hours of Illinois approved classes followed by a state exam. If you pass the exam, you become a licensed real estate broker. The sales agent’s license is a little easier. You need to take a total of forty hours in classroom time and then pass your real estate exam. You do that and you’re a licensed realtor in the state of Illinois.
Chicago real estate jobs can be an incredible experience because you’re not only making a living doing them, but you’re learning an incredible amount about investing in real estate along the way. Real estate transactions are happening everyday in a real estate office. Here is where you’re able to see deals that are hard to find if you’re not in front of them. You’ll hear one Realtor say to another about a particular transaction. You’re basically on the inside tract to dozens of deals because you’re working in the business.Â
Then there is contract administrator. The contract administrator in the office is the person that handles the real estate contracts from the time they come into the office until they close and beyond. They document all the activity on that particular piece of real estate from the time it goes under contract. Their role is to keep the transaction moving to the close and to keep all the organization of the contracts together.
The office manager in a real estate office is the person that is the glue that binds all these real estate jobs in Chicago. The office manager will help the real estate managing broker’s role, they’ll help in any questions coming from the real estate agents themselves and they are there to handle the office activities from a day to day perspective. The office manager usually wears many hats in the office.
Chicago real estate jobs can be obtained by calling your local real estate agency and ask for the office manager or managing broker of the office.
Hiring Real Estate Agents
OwnACondo.com is hiring real estate agents to help with its expansion nationally. The OwnACondo.com website is optimized for a number of keyword phrases causing leads to come in from cities all over the United States. If you’re a real estate agent that would like to receive leads from OwnACondo.com and you are outside the Chicago market please call us at 877.627.5543 for more information.
OwnACondo.com is also looking to hire real estate agents for the Chicago market. Currently OwnACondo.com has more than 90 Realtors and is looking to hire approx. another one hundred in the next six months to handle its expansion in the city of Chicago as well. OwnACondo.com is looking to hire part-time realtors and full-time realtors.
OwnACondo.com is a full service real estate company focusing in on condos only. The real estate agents that work for OwnACondo.com are the best in the business when it comes to selling condos. They are trained daily about how to sell condos, but there is a natural evolution that basically makes every OwnACondo.com Realtor the best at what they do because that is all they do. Everyday our OwnACondo.com Realtors are getting leads that come in from the OwnACondo.com website. These leads are dispatched to our real estate agents and they begin the process of finding our clients condominiums to own. All of our clients are looking for condominiums. Over time, it’s just natural that all our agents know the market better than any other Realtor out there.
When you specialize, you become very good at what you do. Think about it from the flip side. Imagine that you are selling a condo and you’re looking for the right real estate agent to list your condominium with. Wouldn’t you want to list it with a real estate agent that does nothing but sell condos? And everyday they come back to an office of a hundred real estate agents that do nothing but sell condos? And these agents are trained every single day about the condominium product they’re representing in that specific town?
That’s what separates an OwnACondo.com real estate agent from the pack. We are the best place to buy and sell condos because of the Realtor we have. And now we need more! If you are thinking of a possible real estate a career with OwnACondo.com please call us at 877.627.5543 to discuss all the possibilities of becoming the next OwnACondo.com Realtor.
