What is a Real Estate Agent?

What is a Real Estate Agent?

Real estate agents help facilitate property transactions among two or more parties. They work for their client (buyer or seller) and represent them in any transactions. Real estate agents have a fiduciary duty towards their clients, meaning that they have to act in their financial best interest; that way, clients on both sides of the transaction are protected from the agents on either side of the agreement working together against their better interest.

What can a Real Estate Agent Do?

Real estate agents are masters on the subject of local real-estate. They are often the first point of reference for people looking to invest in local properties, and they serve as experts to all those seeking future price estimates, and looking to plan their future in a certain area. Oftentimes, investors looking to develop property within a certain market will approach local real estate agencies in search of information about the popularity of certain areas, as well as to inquire about the state of the community in the area. If the community seems to be doing well or looks promising, and there is available land or property for development, then agents can make the choice easy for an investor by giving them all of their answers in one place. Also, proving your expertise as an agent can bring in a lot of business, because property owners will be more trusting of an agent committed to the development of their local community. Agents have a duty to remain on top of current trends in the market, as well as new laws and changes to the field. Becoming a real estate agent does not necessarily take a long time, but the exams can sometimes present a serious challenge to those who attempt to become agents. Also, once someone has become an agent, getting the necessary experience and establishing a network of people to work with can present a challenge in and of itself.