Buy Property

British Expat: Expat World: Moving to Spain: Buying Property in Spain - the Rights Group glossary British Expat Magazine | British Expat Forum | British Expat Country Forum | British Expat Classifieds | British Expat Mail | British Expat Shop British Expat Tax Havens Banking Anonymous ATM Cards BVI IBC Panama Company Gibraltar Company News, humour and information for Brits worldwide! Sitesearch powered by Web British Expat BE HOME PAGE EXPAT WORLD Resources Bulgaria France Germany Ireland Malta Poland Spain Moving to Spain English Lessons Features Switzerland Bahrain Cambodia China India Indonesia Israel & Occupied Territories Korea Malaysia Singapore Thailand Turkey Australia Fiji New Zealand Samoa Canada Costa Rica Mexico USA Botswana Ethiopia Ghana Malawi South Africa Tanzania Tunisia Uganda ABOUT BE Spain > Moving to Spain > Buying Property in Spain - the Rights Group glossary Buying Property in Spain - The Rights Group's Glossary of Property terms by Mark FR Wilkins Our colleagues at Overseas Property Professional have reported that Britons have spent £12 billion on second homes over the last two years, based on new statistics from the UK Office for National Statistics. Apparently, Britons are spending £6 billion a year on the purchase of second homes a staggering £4 billion more than two years ago. We at The Rights Group felt it would be useful to put together a glossary of terms that we use every day but which may be a little alien to would-be property purchasers in Spain. We are constantly striving to increase the level of information available to Northern Europeans who may be attracted to the idea of buying in Spain but who may equally be daunted by the press in recent months, which has portrayed our market as a den of thieves. It's not, particularly if you approach it with your eyes wide open seeking advice and assistance early in your quest for your dream property and making certain that the professional advice you receive is wholly independent. We see this as a "living" glossary, so if you come across words and phrases that could usefully be added please let me know at mark@therightsgroup.com . We hope you'll find it useful. Abogado Lawyer Adosado - Semi-detached or town house Aire acondicionado Air conditioning Agua Water Agua potable Drinking water Albañil - Bricklayer Alfombra - Carpet Amortización - Depreciation, Redemption Antigüedad(es) / Tienda de Antique/Antique shop Aparcamiento - Parking Arquitecto - Architect Armario Cupboard, wardrobe Asesoría Económica Accountant, Financial adviser Balcón Balcony Banco/cuenta de/tarjeta de - Bank/bank account/bank card Baño Bath/WC Barbacoa Barbecue Basura - Rubbish bins and rubbish taxes Bombilla Light bulb Buzón - Mailbox Caja de Ahorros - Savings bank Calefacción central Central heating Campo - Countryside Cargas Land charges registered against the property Carpintero Joiner Casa unifamiliar - Detached house Casita - Cottage Certificado registral - Certificate showing debts attaching to a property Chalet Villa Cocina Kitchen Comedor Dining room Comunidad de propietarios Committee of property owners Constructor - Builder Construido - Built area, of property Construir - Build Contable Accountant Contrato de Compraventa Privado - Property sales contract Costa del Sol Sun Coast Costa de la Luz Coast of Light Costa Blanca White Coast Corriente - Electricity Cortijo - A country property inland with farming roots Cuarto de Baño - Bathroom Cuenta de Banco - Bank account Documento privado - Private document Documento público - Public document Dormitorio - Bedroom Ducha Shower Duplex Apartment over two floors Ebanista Joiner Edificio Building Electricista Electrician Escayolista - Plasterer Escritura - Deeds of ownership Escritura pública de compraventa - Title Deeds Euribor Variable interest rate set by European banks Fontanero - Plumber Finca Farm house or small estate Fin de Obra Formal Completion of Works on a new property Fuente - Fountain Garaje - Garage Gas Butano Butane gas, often used for cooking and water heating Gestoría Specialists used to obtain official authorisations, permits and licences Habitación A Room Hipoteca - Mortgage IBI: Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles - Property tax levied yearly Impuesto extraordinario sobre el patrimonio - Wealth Tax - extraordinary tax on assets Impuesto sobre el Incremento del Valor de los Terrenos - Tax on the increase of land value Impuesto sobre el patrimonio - Capital gains tax Incremento de patrimonio A Capital gain Inmobiliaria/agente - Estate agent Inversión en terreno - Land investment ITP Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrionales - Property Transfer Tax of 7% levied on all re-sale property IVA VAT Jardn - Garden Ladrillo Brick Libre de cargas Debt free Libro del edificio - Documents from the promoter when building is finished Licencia de obra - Building permission Licencia de prima ocupación Licence to occupy a completed property Limpiadora Cleaner Luz - Electricity Madera Wood Mármol - Marble Martillo - Hammer Metros cuadrados Square metres units floor area is measured in N.I.E. - Identity Number for Foreigners required for a property purchase Notario - Notary records the legal details of property and land sales Nota Simple - Certificate from Property Registry Obra nueva - Document certifying a new building Oferta vinculante - Bank document specifying mortgage conditions Ordenador Computer Pago en efectivo - Cash payment Parcela - Lot or plot Pestillo Door lock Pintor - Painter Piscina - Swimming pool Piso - Apartment Playa - Beach Plusvalía - Municipal Capital gains tax on the sale of property Poder Power of Attorney Pozo - Well Préstamo Loan Préstamo con techo Loan with variable interest with fixed minimum and maximum Préstamo hipotecario - Mortgage loan Pueblo - Town or village Puerta - Door Registro de la Propiedad - Register of Property Ownership Representante fiscal Foreigner's official tax representative Resale Property A second hand property, already registered at the property register in Spain. Residencia - Residency permit Residente - Resident Sala, salón - Lounge Se vende or en venta - For sale Se alquila For Rent Sevillana - Electricity company Seguro de amortización de préstamos - Loan repayment insurance Seguro Multirriesgo Hogar - House insurance Señal Deposit or down payment Solar - Lot for building Sótano Basement Subasta - Auction Tarjeta de Banco - Bank card Tasación - Independent valuation of property Tasa de cambio Exchange rate Tasadores Official Bank Valuers Techo - Roof Teja - Roof tile Terraza - Terrace Terreno - Land, plot of land Terreno en venta - Land for sale Terreno para construir - Building land on the Costa del Sol Tipo de interés - Rate of interest Título de propiedad - Deeds stating the ownership of property, date of sale etc. Trastero - Storeroom Valor Catastral - Assessed value of property for tax purposes Vidriero Glazier Yesero - Plasterer Yeso Plaster Compilation © Mark F R Wilkins 2005 (Marbella) Mark F R Wilkins The Rights Group SL email: mark(AT)therightsgroup.com website: www.therightsgroup.com tel.: +34 600 343 917 +34 952 930 435 Other links in this section Buying Property in Spain - the pitfalls! Why are property prices going through the roof? Relocation, Relocation, Relocation - Deciding to Move Buying Habits and New Hot Spots What made me up sticks? Relocation, Relocation, Relocation - Arriving in Spain Relocation, Relocation, Relocation - Checklist for a move to Spain Relocation, Relocation, Relocation - Sun, Sea and Risk The Rights Group Guide - How to Avoid... Part 1 Expat Websites in Spain Other relevant BE pages English Lessons: The Bonk On The Bitch English Lessons: A Lesson At Christmas English Lessons: The Pain In Spain English Lessons: Get Into The Bit English Lessons: Strong Arms And The Law English Lessons: Tiptoe Through The Tutus English Lessons: Chicken Chests And Cheeps English Lessons: Never Forget Lesson Number One English Lessons: Lesson Number One English Lessons: May And Daisy, Sam And Ella Canada for Brits: Property Canada Property: A Land of Opportunities Expat Resources: Property Tax: Let Property Property: UK Property Links Property: Investing in property Property index Expats Near You: Spain Spain Features: Fiesta Fireworks! Spain Features: Siesta in the Sierra Spain Features: I'm Turning into a Nomad (Part One) Spain Features: I'm Turning Into A Nomad (Part Two) Property: Selling your home in the UK Property: UK Buy to Let Spain Features: Hiring a Car in Spain Spain Features: Renting a Villa - Tips Spain Features: Having a Baby in Tenerife Spain Features: Feria at Sierra de Yeguas Spain Features: Renting a Villa Spain Features: Learning Spanish Spain Features: Shopping in Spain Spain Features: Timekeeping in Spain Back to Top EXPAT SERVICES Webmail Newsletter Send free eCards Buy BE stuff! BOOK NOW Flights Top Deals Hotels Holidays Published by British Expat Ltd © 2000-2005 All rights reserved Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms & conditions Privacy policy | Security policy | Morality policy | Advertising policy | Contact us Powered by Typo3 with additional scripting by ICi Technology Many thanks to sillyart.com for the "man with suitcase" logo

Sell House

AutoTrader.com - How to Sell Your Car Home > Research > How to Sell Your Car How to Sell Your Car Why should I sell my car instead of trading it in? It's simple—to boost your profit. Sell it yourself, and you get a higher value out of your car. Depending on the age and condition of your car, you can pocket an extra $1,000 to $2,000 or more. If you have a late-model vehicle, you stand to make much more. Just think of it as cutting the middle man out. If you trade your car in, the dealer has to pay to clean it, advertise it and sell it while making a comfortable profit. Your lower trade-in reflects that. Besides, with today's online resources, selling your car is easier than ever. Find out all you need to know to put your car up for sale, and then list it at a less expensive price than traditional printed classified listings. Plus, you reach more buyers in your area—and across the country. Place Your Ad Today Get a CARFAX Vehicle History Report Provide buyer assurance. Check your vehicle's history before you sell. Enter VIN Find Info on Specific Models Get the details on your old car before you advertise. Find out options, standard features, safety and more. What are my first steps? Selling your car yourself can be rewarding, especially with a little guidance. We've come up with a few tips to make the experience easier and to help you get the best price for your car. View Hide Set a competitive price A good place to start is determining the market value of your car. Check out our used-car values page to find out what your car is worth. You'll want to price competitively in your local market-look at our online ads in your area to see what used cars similar to yours are being sold for. If you're open to negotiation, determine the least amount you will accept. Based on that amount, you may want to create some cushion in your price—$500 is a good minimum. Remember, buyers are looking at the same online pricing guides, so if your price is close to or lower than the price they found, your car could be that much more appealing. Once you set your price, consider using the proper ad lingo to make your point: Inserting "or best offer" (OBO) or "asking price" signals you'll consider an offer lower than the stated price. You may get more responses. Stating your price is "firm" signals that you're sticking to your price. View Hide Get your car ready Appearance is everything. That means you should thoroughly clean your car, inside and out. And consider taking care of any minor maintenance issues. Here's a laundry list of things you can do to improve your car's appearance: Wash, wax and vacuum your car. Wipe down the dashboard and other surfaces. Gloss up the tires and polish the wheels. Clean all glass inside and out, including mirrors. Clean out any junk from inside your car and the trunk. Replace any burnt lights or fuses. Top off the fluids. View Hide Gather your car's records Smart car shoppers want to know how well maintained your vehicle is and will ask for maintenance records. A presentable maintenance log with all of your receipts, especially oil changes, can be a powerful selling tool. Consider collecting the receipts you have and creating a maintenance log. If you know you had something done but can't find the receipt, log it anyway. Warranty receipts are especially important. If you've recently replaced your tires or battery, present the warranty to the buyer. View Hide Purchase a vehicle history report You can put buyers at ease by showing a copy of your car's vehicle history report . One of the biggest fears of used-car buyers is unwittingly buying a car that has been in a wreck. A vehicle history report reveals if a car was ever wrecked, whether the odometer was rolled back and other costly problems. Presenting your maintenance records and a clean vehicle history report instills confidence in buyers—it could make the sale! How do I advertise my car? Your best bet is to place an online ad . Think about it this way: how many newspaper readers are looking to buy a car? Compare that to the number of people visiting auto websites like this one looking to buy a car now. You'll also get more sophisticated options, like editing tools and more space to show off your car. Here are some surefire bets to bring you more responses. View Hide Post quality photos Although photos are not required for listing your car online, they are a key selling tool. You have a far greater chance of buyers clicking on your Search Results Listing if you have photos. In fact, 85% of buyers look for listings with photos in their initial search. You don't need to have a digital camera to post photos. Just take your traditional film to your local photo-processing lab and ask for a photo CD. You can easily upload photos from the CD to your ad. Or, you can turn your prints into digital pictures with a scanner. Before you point and shoot, remember these guidelines: Photograph your car in daylight. Avoid reflections and shadows from the sun and trees. Photograph your car at a front-side angle to achieve a good view of the entire car. Park your car against a flattering backdrop. Make sure your car is clean and neat in appearance. If you post multiple photos, photograph the interior and any special features about your car, such as specialty tires and wheels. View Hide Give details buyers will respond to Another benefit of advertising online is providing a complete description of your car. You get to give buyers those extra details that grab their attention. In your AutoTrader.com ad, you will list your car's basic details and options installed. With that important information already out of the way, you can focus on making your description enticing. Keep in mind the first 150 characters of your description will show on your Search Results Listing. Put your most important details first, so buyers see them right away. Consider giving some of the following details: Appeal to a buyer's lifestyle. Ex. Van—"great family car," economy car—"excellent gas mileage makes it a great commuter car," truck—"a dependable work truck." Use key phrases that typically signal you've taken care of your car, like "one owner," "kept in garage" and "maintenance records available." But do be honest! Mention any non-standard modifications and improvements, such as stereo, speakers and specialty wheels. List any recent replacements, like new tires or battery. View Hide Be prepared to field inquiries Once you place your ad, be ready to answer questions. Keep a list of basic facts about your car near the phone and computer. Print out the online sources that show your car's market value. Buyers are making a big decision, so try to answer every question honestly and openly. You'll save yourself time instead of making unnecessary appointments. Make appointments for a specific time, rather than allowing a buyer to show "sometime after work." It increases the chances of the buyer making it, and it doesn't waste your time. If you feel uncomfortable with a buyer coming to your house, arrange to meet in a populated, well-lit area. How do I close the deal? You've done your homework. Now it's time to sell your car. With a little preparation and patience, you should do just fine. View Hide Show your car to interested buyers Once you make an appointment, a buyer will most likely want to take your car for a spin. Before the test-drive, remember to: Ask to see a valid driver's license and proof of insurance. Let the buyer drive, but you navigate. Have a planned route in mind that allows the buyer to experience different driving conditions. If a buyer is very interested and wants you to hold the car, ask for a deposit and specify that it's only for a certain amount of time. Also, some buyers may want to have the car inspected by their mechanic. This is a reasonable request, but it's up to you how you want to handle it. View Hide Negotiate a fair price By now, you know what your car is worth, and you know what you're willing to accept. Prepare yourself with possible responses when a buyer begins to negotiate. For example: If a buyer mentions a scratch or ding, say it's normal wear and tear and that it's accounted for in the depreciated market value. If a buyer makes an offer lower than your asking price, counter offer. Never seem too eager to lower your price. And don't budge beyond your minimum. If a buyer shows you a mechanic's receipt for repairs needed on your car, take a look at the repairs. If they're warranted, consider reducing the price based on the amount needed for the repairs. If you advertised that your car is being sold "as is," then simply refer to your ad. View Hide Finalize the sale Once you settle on a price, accept only cash or a cashier's check before you sign over the title. And make sure the check has cleared at the issuing bank. Be suspicious of any buyer who offers a complicated payment arrangement that involves overpayment with a refund. This is often a sign of fraud. To learn more about spotting a scam, read our fraud awareness tips . You should have a bill of sale ready for both parties. A bill of sale is a sales receipt that shows transfer of ownership to the buyer and contains both parties' contact information, details about the car, the agreed upon sell price and the odometer reading. To find a bill of sale, your state motor vehicle website should offer a detailed form. If not, try an office supply store for a generic form that you can add to if needed. Also, check with your state motor vehicle website to find out what the requirements are to transfer the title to the new owner. Generally, you will have to sign and date the title before turning it over to the buyer. Notifying your local motor vehicle office of the transaction and ensuring the title is correctly transferred will prevent you from being liable for any accidents. If you still owe money on the car and a lending institution is holding the title, you can finish the sale with the buyer at the offices of the lender. Once you have the money and the loan has been paid off, sign the title to the buyer. If the bank is out of state, you can go with the buyer to the motor vehicle office and get a temporary operating permit based on the bill of sale. Once you pay off the balance of the loan with the money from your car sale, you'll receive the title. Sign it over to the new owner and the transaction is complete. One last thing—don't forget to cancel or transfer your insurance policy to your new car. I want more resources... Credit Tools Free Credit Report Be prepared before getting an Auto Loan. Vehicle Valuation Trade-in & Retail Pricing Get free trade-in values and retail pricing. Car Loans Loan Center Get up to 4 offers with one simple form. Refinance Auto Loan Center Refinance your auto and save. Payment Calculator Calculate the monthly loan payment for a car. Safety Safety Info Information and articles on safe driving and vehicle safety features. Reviews and Tips Search Reviews Search the latest car reviews. Buying Tips Information and articles to help you make the most informed buying decisions. Home > Research > How to Sell Your Car Find A Dealer | Become an AutoTrader.com Dealer | About | Help | Site Map | Employment Opportunities | Email Us | Press Room By using this service, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement . ©2005 AutoTrader.com L.L.C.

Denver Real Estate needs

Aurora Real Estate - Denver Homes for Sale - Arapahoe County Real Estate Michael "Mike" Strear e-Pro, SRES (303) 263-4993 Working with Seniors and their Denver Real Estate needs Featured Homes - Looking for just the right property? Check here first! Buyer/Seller Tips: Read through helpful tips of information on buying or selling your home! What is your Home's Value? Let me figure out how much your home is worth in today's market! Local Schools: Identify the best school district for your family with my free schools reports. Local Weather: Get up-to-date information on weather in the surrounding communities. Map & Driving Directions - Need a map to my office or anywhere else? The marketing focus of this site is shifting towards Seniors, their needs and lifestyles. It has become apparent that single level homes are more convenient than multilevel homes for many of you and for me. I have proudly, just received my SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) designation, following sixteen hours of classroom instruction. This designation will aid me in my relationships with the mature communities in the metro area. A page has been added , listing the many Town Home, Condo and Patio home areas in the metroplex that specialize in Senior living. Please press the "Senior Living" button near the top of the left-hand column and view the beginning listings on the page. This page will continue to grow from now on. Of course, I will still continue working with buyers and sellers of all ages. I have added a new button in the left side column. "Local Economy" is a link to the Denver Economy Tracker newsletter and is provided by North American Title. This can be easily reprinted for your use and I hope you enjoy the information it contains. The "Find a Home" button is a direct link to the Multilist and allows access to most of the For Sale Homes that are available. The "Newsletter" button located at the bottom of the column at the left is new and is loaded with information. As always, the "Local Partners" button leads you to many of the people that I have worked with for many years. If you have additional needs and cannot locate help on the "Partners"site please contact me for further information . If you currently own property and are thinking of placing it on the market, this site contains information about preparing your home for sale, selecting the right agent, pricing your home appropriately, marketing it effectively, going through the inspection processes, and receiving a timely market evaluation. Thanks for visiting my online real estate source. Please bookmark this site for future reference, and ENJOY! Favorite Links SeekOn/Real Estate Michael E Strear Keller Williams Realty 3095 S Parker Rd. #200 Aurora, CO 80014 Cell: (303) 263-4993 Office: (303) 745-1100 Fax: (303) 745-3446 E-Mail: Mike@cdenverhomes.com Relocation Network & Partners Click here to link with this site! Real Estate Associates Relocation Connection REALTOR® Partners Real Estate Agents & Realtors Colorado Real Estate Agents Colorado Realtor Web Site Design and Hosting Provided By: Advanced Access © 1998-2005

Real Estate Broker

Real estate - Boston.com Buying Renting Recent Sales Place an ad Luxury Living Community data Mortgage Commercial Moving Guides Real estate Boston.com Check out the Real estate Section on Boston.com. December 29, 2005 -- Skyline at Station Landing Starting at: $339,000 Allston 2 bedroom $384,390 Newport 1 bed/1 den $755,000 Quechee Lakes, VT 3 bedroom $455,000 Sugarbush, VT 2 bedroom $166,457 Loon Mountain, N.H. Now accepting reservations Newbury 4 bedroom $749,900 Malden 2 bedroom $314,900 The Grandview Starting at: $600,000 Swampscott 3 bedroom $329,000 Boston 2 bedroom $545,000 South Boston 3 bedroom $429,000 Needham 4 bedroom $1,195,000 Dorchester 2 bedroom $314,000 York Beach, ME 3 bedroom $629,000 Battery Wharf Starting at: $1.15MM 210 South Street Regatta Residences Rooney Real Estate NOTE: We are experiencing technical problems that are preventing some photos from appearing in our listings. We are working now to correct the problem. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for using Boston.com Real Estate. Homes New developments Condominiums Open houses Get started All rentals Apt. communities Vacation rentals Get started HOME OF THE WEEK Old styles in a bustling area Amid a neighborhood becoming known for new restaurants, shops, and condos, the residential block where this narrow, four-level home sits may be one of the few things that has yet to significantly change. Homes of the week: Watertown | Sudbury | Westminster See photos of this home Brockton builds on legacy This working-class city's once moribund downtown is being revived by young professionals drawn to the industrial chic of old factories where laborers plied their trade more than a century ago. (The Boston Globe, 12/25/05) Kerouac's Cape home up for sale ON LOCATION Historic cottage for sale The Pratt House in Northampton, which was commissioned in 1859 by Boston doctor Alvah Littlefield and once faced demolition, is now on the market for $1.285 million. (The Boston Globe, 12/25/05) GALLERY Editor's picks: On the market Check out our favorites this week and see all different sizes, shapes, prices, and locations. (Boston.com) Last week's picks METRO HOME FEATURE A safe haven Several designers donated their time and expertise to decorate 13 bedrooms and living areas at a Children's Hospital shelter. (Metro Boston, 12/16/05) See photos of the hospital makeovers Submit photos of your pad to be featured More in Home MESSAGE BOARDS Where are prices headed? Open house advice Things to consider when buying View all message boards NEWS From one generation to another A group of young developers felt a need to give back to their Jewish community in a way that has never been done before. (Boston Globe, 12/18/05) Formal room is hereupon retired Office market shows signs of rebound COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT Holbrook Holbrook offers a mix of properties for first-time home buyers seeking more affordable options and for those in the market for more high-end housing. (The Boston Globe, 12/25/05) More profiles: Hingham | Somerville | Wellesley | Southborough All Community statistics and town data | Compare towns GALLERY A look at Manny's condo Boston.com toured Ramirez's penthouse condo, on sale for $6.9 million, and caught a glimpse into the daily digs of the World Series MVP. (Boston.com) Alternatives to heating See what others are doing to cut down on their heating bill this winter. (Boston.com) Cost comparison What is your home heating plan? Heating tips Q&A about your home heating bills More in home heating NEWS Sellers chop prices as market slows Boston-area homeowners trying to sell their houses are sharply reducing asking prices -- in some cases, by $100,000 or more -- in response to a sudden slowdown. (By Kimberly Blanton, Boston Globe) Holiday season is the ideal time to buy Lilly's five steps to real estate success 14 tips to finding a great apartment Need some help finding your next new pad? Here are a few items you should make sure to check for. (Boston.com) Print the list A sense of community in a rental Sept. 1 moving scenes Self-storage how-to Step-by-step moving guide Print box labels What are your tips for moving? Pointers on renting, your rights and so much more Search rentals Renting guides NEWS Rises in rent outpace some wages The cost of rental housing has increased more rapidly than have wages, making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to afford even modest apartments. (By Stephen Ohlemacher, Boston Globe) Tools and calculators Run the numbers on everything from your income to upfront costs and credit. Instant mortgage quotes Mortgage rates 30-yr Fxd: 6.30% 15-yr Fxd: 5.85% 1-yr. ARM: 5.15% Mortgage quotes Daily commentary NEWS Real estate slump chills 'flippers' Get in, get out, get the next deal. That's the code of the ''flipper." Flipping -- buying and quickly reselling homes -- has helped some investors make a killing over the past few years in markets such as the North Shore. Selling a house? Try some entertainment 10 things you must do when selling 10 tips for hiring a broker Selling or renting your property? click here Latest articles: Real estate transactions ( Boston Globe, 12/29/05 ) A term every home buyer, real estate agent, homeowner should know (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) Dry rot leaves home buyer in the gutter (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) Home sellers beware: Undisclosed info comes back to bite (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) In bankruptcy sale, must co-owner pay 50 percent of expenses? (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) ENeighborhoods exec. has roots in real estate technology (Inman, 12/28/05) Visions of gold entice a tin city (Boston Globe, 12/28/05) Government requirements for disclosure fail to make the grade (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) Electrical panel requires upgrading (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) Should landlords rent to section 8 subsidized tenants? (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) 'House Poor' a profitable read for home buyers (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) Inside capital gains tax law for real estate (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) Ensuring home's proper ventilation (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) America closes doors to architectural expression (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) 5 negotiation tactics for real estate deals (Inman, 1:06 p.m.) HOME OF THE WEEK: Old styles inside, bustling outside (Boston Globe, 12/25/05) ON LOCATION: Historic cottage escaped demolition, now it's a gem for sale (Boston Globe, 12/25/05) BUSINESS LETTERS: Home prices are falling, but why? (Boston Globe, 12/25/05) Brockton builds on factory legacy (Boston Globe, 12/25/05) COMMUNITY SNAPSHOT: Holbrook (Boston Globe, 12/25/05) feedback form | help | site index | globe archives | rss © 20 The New York Times Company

Real estate agents help

Real Estate Agent Printer-friendly version ( HTML ) Real Estate Agent What is this job like? | How do you get ready? | How much does this job pay? | How many jobs are there? | What about the future? | Are there other jobs like this? | Where can you find more information? What is this job like? Back to Top Real estate agents help people buy and sell houses. They must be able to say approximately how much money a house is worth. They need to know what the neighborhoods in their towns are like. They must know the laws that have to do with buying or selling a house. They also can tell home buyers where to get a loan if they need more money to buy a house. In return for selling a house, real estate agents get to keep a small part of the money that the buyer paid for it. Real estate agents work for real estate brokers. Real estate brokers manage real estate offices. People who want to buy a house often ask a real estate agent to help them. They meet with the agent to tell him or her what kind of house they want. They must also discuss how much money they can afford to spend. The agent then takes them to see houses for sale. Buying a house is a very important decision because houses cost a lot of money. This means that buyers often want to look at many houses before they decide to buy one. Real estate agents also sell houses for people. They help the seller set the price for the house. To do this, they must know what the house is like. They must also figure out what people would be willing to pay for the house so that it will sell quickly. They make sure that people see ads for the house so that they can think about buying it. Once a person agrees to buy a house, real estate agents still have work to do. They must fill out special forms that let everyone know that the house has a new owner. Both the buyer and the seller of the house must sign these forms for the sale of the house to be legal. Often, the agents must help the buyer to get a loan from the bank to pay for the house. Real estate agents generally work in offices. Since much information about properties is available over the Internet, some agents can work out of their own homes. In either case, however, much of their time is spent outside the office showing houses to buyers. Sometimes they must leave the office to meet with people who have houses to sell. Good real estate agents also spend time away from the office finding out more about the houses in their town that might one day be up for sale. Agents often work more than 40 hours a week. They often must work in the evening or on weekends. This is because most buyers and sellers are free only at those times. How do you get ready? Back to Top Real estate agents must have a license from the State in which they work. To get a license, a person must have graduated from high school. The person must be at least 18 years old and pass a written test. In some States, a person who wants to be a real estate agent must go to a special school for a few months. Sometimes it helps to take some college courses about real estate. This is because the process of selling a house can be hard to understand. Good real estate agents must get along well with buyers and sellers. It helps if real estate agents are pleasant and dress neatly. They should be well organized and be able to remember people's names. They should deal honestly with people and have good manners. They must also be very eager to sell houses, which is sometimes a lot of hard work. How much does this job pay? Back to Top Most real estate agents do not get a regular paycheck. Instead, they get part of the money that the home buyer pays to the home seller when a house is sold. This means that agents who sell more houses earn more money. It also means that agents who sell more expensive houses earn more. The middle half of all real estate agents earned between $21,010 and $52,860 a year in 2002. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $15,480. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $83,780 a year. The middle half of all real estate brokers earned between $29,240 and $90,170 a year in 2002. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $17,290. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $145,600 a year. How many jobs are there? Back to Top Real estate agents and brokers held about 407,000 jobs in 2002. Many work part time, and have other jobs as well. Most real estate agents work in large cities. Many also work in smaller cities that are growing quickly. This is because there are more houses being bought and sold in such places. What about the future? Back to Top The number of jobs for real estate agents is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. This is partly because more information about real estate is available on the Internet. This allows agents to conduct more business in less time, so fewer agents are needed. It should be rather easy to find a job as a real estate agent. This is because many agents find that they cannot sell enough houses to be successful, so they quit their jobs. Only people who enjoy selling, and are good at it, should try to become real estate agents. Are there other jobs like this? Back to Top Insurance sales agents Retail salespersons (car salespersons, etc.) Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents Travel agents Where can you find more information? Back to Top More BLS information about real estate brokers and sales agents can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook . The Handbook also shows where to find out even more about this job. Last Modified Date: October 21, 2004