If you’re in the market to buy, or sell, a home, there’s a good chance you are going to want some help. While buying or selling a house is something you can do on your own, it is not recommended; similar to watching a video on performing electrical work… just because it can be done does not make it a good idea. Assuming you have begun looking for assistance, you have probably heard of real estate agents, brokers, and realtors; most people do not fully understand the distinctions between those job titles.
What is a Real Estate Agent?
In the most basic sense, a real estate agent is someone who has a license to assist people in navigating the real estate market. In order to qualify for that license, California imposes numerous pre-license training requirements, which is comprised of 135 hours of training. Once the training requirements have been met, the prospective agent must then take an exam. Assuming they pass, this person is now officially a real estate agent.
What is a Real Estate Broker?
Think of a broker has someone who has obtained an advanced “degree” in helping people navigate the real estate market (that is not to say the requirements are as rigorous as standard advanced degrees, but it does represent the next level beyond real estate agent). In addition to the standard requirements for real estate agents, brokers must take additional coursework to obtain a truly in depth understanding of the market; including legal and investment issues.
How to Find the Best Help?
Knowing the difference between types of people in the real estate industry is worthless without understanding how to find quality help. The first step is to identify where you would like to live. For this article, we will use the Studio City, Encino, and Sherman Oaks area. From there, do a quick internet search, or ask your friends for recommendations. Ultimately, you want people who know the area you are looking at, the best real estate agent in Santa Cruz, California will be ill equipped to assist you if you are looking at houses outside their market. Finally, you will be dealing with these people quite often – talk to them and make sure you get along.
At the Chernov Team we understand that knowledge is power, particularly when it comes to putting together a real estate dream team. At the Chernov Team we know that whoever shows up to the table most prepared leaves with the most, and the Chernov Team always leaves the table with the most.
How to find a real estate agent, broker, or Realtor who's right for you
Many people find an agent to help them through word of mouth or online. You can search for a variety of real estate professionals in your area at realtor.com's Find a Realtor database, which includes their sales performance, specialties, reviews, and other helpful information. It's a good idea to talk to at least three agents in person, and ask the agents some key questions to find out if they're a good fit for you.