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Denver Real Estate and Denver Homes For sale by PorchLight Real Estate Group - Search Denver MLS email password forgot password sign up Price range min max Rooms 0+ 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ bed 0+ 1+ 2+ 3+ bath Select city All ARVADA AURORA BOULDER BRIGHTON BROOMFIELD CASTLE PINES CENTENNIAL CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE COMMERCE CITY DENVER EDGEWATER ENGLEWOOD EVERGREEN FEDERAL HEIGHTS FIRESTONE FREDERICK GLENDALE GOLDEN GREENWOOD VILLAGE HENDERSON HIGHLANDS RANCH LAFAYETTE LAKEWOOD LITTLETON LOUISVILLE MORRISON NORTHGLENN PARKER SHERIDAN SUPERIOR THORNTON WESTMINSTER WHEAT RIDGE hold ctrl key for multiple selections email me listings that match this search Advanced search Your Guide to Denver Real Estate! PorchLight Real Estate Group has the most stellar real estate professionals in Denver! Our website is full service and user friendly for all of your Denver real estate needs! Whether you are relocating or just need information on the Denver real estate market this is the site for you! Find my New Denver Home (Fill out this form and we'll find your home) Denver Real Estate Buyers Guide (A handy guide to the home buying process) Denver Neighborhoods (Profiles of Denver Neighborhoods) Denver Relocation Guide (A Guide to Relocating in Denver) Sell my Denver Home (Fill out this form and we’ll contact you) Buyers can Tour Your Home (When buyers search, they will see a 360° tour of your home) Denver Home Sales Guide (A handy guide for preparing to sell) The PorchLight Difference (Here are a few reasons to choose PorchLight Real Estate Group) Would you like to receive an email every time a new listing comes on the market that fits the criteria of the home you are looking for? With our DENVER REAL ESTATE PROPERTY WATCH you can! Just sign up, enter your search criteria, and you will automatically be emailed the day new Denver homes are listed for you! PorchLight is the only Denver Real Estate Company to have comprehensive market statistics for over 52 Denver Neighborhoods ! For each neighborhood we have median & average home sale price, price per square foot, days on market, and the rate of increase in sale price back to 1996! If you would like statistical information on a particular neighborhood or just want to know how they stack up against each other, email us and we would be happy to share our Denver Real Estate market knowledge with you! Would you like in depth information on the different neighborhoods Denver has to offer? Browse Denver Neighborhoods and learn about the different areas of Denver. If you are looking for a specific amenity email us and we would be happy to tell you where you can find it! Our goal is to help you find the best home for you while giving you the information you need to make an educated decision! We serve the entire Denver real estate market and can assist you in finding the perfect homes for sale in Denver including the following neighborhoods: Belcaro , Bonnie Brae , Lowry , Cherry Creek / Polo Club , Capitol Hill , Cheesman Park , Congress Park , Denver Country Club , Highlands Sloan Lake , Hilltop /Crestmoor , Lower Downtown , Park Hill , Southern Hills , Stapleton , Washington Park , and many more... ...and, suburban Denver real estate in these areas: Arvada , Aurora , Bow Mar , Broomfield , Boulder , Cherry Hills Village , Englewood , Greenwood Village , Golden , Highlands Ranch , Ken Caryl Ranch , Lakewood , Littleton , Northglen , Parker , Thornton , Westminister , and many more... About PorchLight Group Real Estate/Our Agents Contact Us About Denver Colorado Denver Real Estate Market Statistics Find Denver Homes For Sale Search Denver MLS Denver Homes For Sale Buying Denver Real Estate Mortgage Calculator Denver Neighborhoods Sell my Denver Home Denver Home Sellers Guide Site Map [2] [3] [4] Links Resources Add URL Denver Neighborhoods Denver Relocation Services The PorchLight Difference Internet Marketing Print Marketing Denver Real Estate 201 Fillmore Street, Denver, CO 80206 303.733.5335 info@PorchLightGroup.com ©2004 PorchLight Real Estate Group. All Rights Reserved.

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Real estate foreclosures information from Answerbag Real estate foreclosures What you need to know about buying property that has been foreclosed Home » Index » Real estate » Foreclosures Questions What is a foreclosure? Are foreclosures an option? What are problems buying foreclosures? What types of foreclosure are there? How do you get financing for a foreclosure? What happens at a trustee sale? How do you find government-repossessed homes? Can I get a HUD home for as little as $100 down? Where can I find foreclosures? Do I have to buy HUD homes through a realty agent? Where do I learn about HUD foreclosures? How does a home go into foreclosure? What happens at a trustee sale? How bad is a previous foreclosure on credit? What makes a newspaper "the newspaper of record" in a given state? Who takes care of delinquent property taxes that have been previously sold at tax certificate sale for prior years? Am I responsible for any liens that were on a foreclosed property before I had purchased it? I have the policy of title insurance. In the normal home buying process, issues found during the home inspection allow you to back out of the purchase. Does this apply to foreclosures also? How long does foreclosure take? Where can I find an example of a letter to send to home owner's who are facing forclosure asking them if they would like to sell before their home is forclosed on? If a bank initiates a foreclosure on a property which also has an IRS lien, and the bank ends up buying back the property for the amount of the unpaid loan, does the bank also have to satisfy the IRS lien? Can you use a prequalification letter to secure a bid on a property that has been foreclosed on by a mortgage company at the county sale? » Ask a question What is a foreclosure? (100%, 2 ratings) submitted by Andersen777 ( A++ , 99%, 1854 ratings), Apr 27, 04 A foreclosure is a legal procedure whereby a lender gains title or sells a mortgagors after he or she does not pay it in order to satisfy all or part of the unpaid debt (legal definition). Layman's terms: Essentially, due to lack of payments, the property is repossessed by the lender. The property is then re-sold as foreclosed. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top Are foreclosures an option? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 A foreclosure property is a home that has been repossessed by the lender because the owners failed to pay the mortgage. Thousands of homes end up in foreclosure every year. Economic conditions affect the number of foreclosures, too. Many people lose their homes due to job loss, credit problems or unexpected expenses. It is wise to be cautious when considering a foreclosure. Many experts, in fact, advise inexperienced buyers to hire an expert to take them through the process. It is important to have the house thoroughly inspected and to be sure that any liens, undisclosed mortgages or court judgments are cleared or at least disclosed. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top What are problems buying foreclosures? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 Buying directly at a legal foreclosure sale is risky and dangerous. It is strictly caveat emptor ("Let the buyer beware"). The process has many disadvantages. There is no financing; you need cash and lots of it. The title needs to be checked before the purchase or the buyer could buy a seriously deficient title. The property's condition is not well known and an interior inspection of the property may not be possible before the sale, says Wiedemer. In addition, only estate (probate) and foreclosure sales are exempt from some states? disclosure laws. In both cases, the law protects the seller (usually an heir or financial institution) who has recently acquired the property through adverse circumstances and may have little or no direct information about it. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top (0 ratings) submitted by Team Jackson (0%, 0 ratings), Nov 17, 05 There is however a difference in Sheriff Sale auction homes and REO foreclosure homes The ones up for auction are risky, no access, owners usually still in them, not sure the condition of the home b4 you bid Of course if the price is LOW enough then who cares REO homes have been auctioned to the bank, cleaned out, and listed with an REO agent in the area. Some of these will be priced high others will be dirt cheap, and you can go look inside them They are all sold AS IS, you can do an inspection but cannot use it to get out of the contract should you find something wrong. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top What types of foreclosure are there? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 Judicial foreclosure action is a proceeding in which a mortgagee, a trustee or another lien holder on property requests a court-supervised sale of the property to cover the unpaid balance of a delinquent debt. Non-judicial foreclosure is the process of selling real property under a power of sale in a mortgage or deed of trust that is in default. In such a foreclosure, however, the lender is unable to obtain a deficiency judgment, which makes some title insurance companies reluctant to issue a policy. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top How do you get financing for a foreclosure? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 One reason there are few bidders at foreclosure sales is that it is next to impossible to get financing for such a property. You generally need to show up with cash and lots of it, or a line of credit with your bank upon which you can draw cashier's checks. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top What happens at a trustee sale? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 Trustee sales are advertised in advance and require an all-cash bid. The sale is usually conducted by a sheriff, a constable or lawyer acting as trustee. This kind of sale, which usually attracts savvy investors, is not for the novice. In a trustee sale, the lender who holds the first loan on the property starts the bidding at the amount of the loan being foreclosed. Successful bidders receive a trustee's deed. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top How do you find government-repossessed homes? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development acquires properties from lenders who foreclose on mortgages insured by HUD. These properties are available for sale to both homeowner-occupants and investors. You can only purchase HUD-owned properties through a licensed real estate broker. HUD will pay the broker's commission up to 6 percent of the sales price. Down payments vary depending on whether the property is eligible for FHA insurance. If not, payments range from the conventional market's 5 to 20 percent. One caution. HUD homes are sold "as is," meaning limited repairs have been made but no structural or mechanical warranties are implied. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top Can I get a HUD home for as little as $100 down? (100%, 2 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 If you are strapped for cash and looking for a bargain, you may be able to buy a foreclosure property acquired by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for as little as $100 down. With HUD foreclosures, down payments vary depending on whether the property is eligible for FHA insurance. If not, payments range from 5 to 20 percent. But when the property is FHA-insured, the down payment can go much lower. Each offer must be accompanied by an "earnest money" deposit equal to 5 percent of the bid price, not to exceed $2,000 but not less than $500. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also offers foreclosure properties which can be purchased directly from the VA often well below market value and with a down payment amount as low as 2 percent for owner-occupants. Investors may be required to pay up to 10 percent of the purchase price as a down payment. This is because the VA guarantees home loans and often ends up owning the property if the veteran defaults. If you are interested in purchasing a VA foreclosure, call 1-800-827-1000 to request a current listing. About 100 new properties are listed every two weeks. You should be aware that foreclosure properties are sold "as is," meaning limited repairs have been made but no structural or mechanical warranties are implied. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) User comments eric soto : very useful, thanks for the phone # » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top (0 ratings) submitted by Team Jackson (0%, 0 ratings), Nov 17, 05 Now days you can pretty much buy anything for no money down There are even programs out there for investors with 0 Down to use on duplexs and 4 families This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top Where can I find foreclosures? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 In most states, a foreclosure notice must be published in the legal notices section of a local newspaper where the property is located or in the nearest city. Also, foreclosure notices are usually posted on the property itself and somewhere in the city where the sale is to take place. When a homeowner is late on three payments, the bank will record a notice of default against the property. When the owner fails to pay up, a trustee sale is held, and the property is sold to the highest bidder. The financial institution that has initiated foreclosure proceedings usually will set the bid price at the loan amount. Despite these seemingly straightforward rules, buying foreclosures is not easy as it may sound. Sophisticated investors use the technique so novices may find themselves among stiff competition. Resources: * "The Smart Money Guide to Bargain Homes, How to Find and Buy Foreclosures," James I. Wiedemer, Dearborn Financial Publishing, Chicago; 1994. * "Real Estate Principles," Charles O. Stapleton III, Thomas Moran and Martha R. Williams, Dearborn Financial Publishing, Chicago; 1994. * "Real Estate Investing From A to Z," William H. Pivar, Probus Publishing, Chicago, 1993. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top (0 ratings) submitted by Team Jackson (0%, 0 ratings), Nov 17, 05 For auctions go to your local courthouse For REO homes go to a site like foreclosure.com or find a broker like me in your area, I pay for the site and get all the info then i post a list weekly by email to hundreds of investors in the area FREE. Look around there is always a guy like me This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top Do I have to buy HUD homes through a realty agent? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 You can only purchase a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development property through a licensed real estate broker. HUD will pay the broker's commission up to 6 percent of the sales price. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top Where do I learn about HUD foreclosures? (100%, 2 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 9, 03 One good source is their Web page http://www.hud.gov This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top How does a home go into foreclosure? (75%, 1 rating) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 10, 03 (Answer last edited on Jul 5, 05) Foreclosure proceedings usually begin after a borrower has skipped three mortgage payments. The lender will record a notice of default against the property. Unless the debt is satisfied, the lender will foreclose on the mortgage and proceed to set up a trustee sale. For more questions or to learn about foreclosure prevention and information... http://www.propertyinvestmentadvisor.com/stop-foreclosure.html. To learn about foreclosure investing try here... http://www.propertyinvestmentadvisor.com This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) User comments Anonymous : kind of sketchy to those of us who really know nothing of real estate. » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top What happens at a trustee sale? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 10, 03 Trustee sales are advertised in advance and require an all-cash bid. The sale is usually conducted by a sheriff, a constable or lawyer acting as trustee. This kind of sale, which usually attracts savvy investors, is not for the novice. In a trustee sale, the lender who holds the first loan on the property starts the bidding at the amount of the loan being foreclosed. Successful bidders receive a trustee's deed. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top How bad is a previous foreclosure on credit? (0 ratings) submitted by Real Estate Guy ( A , 97%, 58 ratings), Sep 10, 03 A property foreclosure is one of the most damaging events in a borrower's credit history. In terms of the effect on credit history, a deed in lieu of foreclosure or a short sale is not as adverse an event as is a forced foreclosure. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top What makes a newspaper "the newspaper of record" in a given state? » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when an answer is posted » Top Who takes care of delinquent property taxes that have been previously sold at tax certificate sale for prior years? » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when an answer is posted » Top Am I responsible for any liens that were on a foreclosed property before I had purchased it? I have the policy of title insurance. (100%, 1 rating) submitted by breadmanpaul ( A+ , 97%, 219 ratings), Sep 21, 05 Your title insurance provides you with clear title to the property. You cannot obtain clear title without in some way dealing with all existing liens. When you purchased the property, you very likely paid off all of the liens. If there are still liens against the property that were there before you purchased the property, then you do not have clear title. If you have evidence of any existing liens, then take them to the title company that provided you with title insurance. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top (0 ratings) submitted by Team Jackson (0%, 0 ratings), Nov 17, 05 No... example Sold woman a reo home in Feb of this year had back taxes for 02, 03, 04 due 04 was paid at closing title company mistake now assessor wants 02 and 03 or will tax foreclose title insurance company just paid the assessor they are your insurance that ALL title is clear up to the contract phase then make sure you get a gap for the remainder This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top In the normal home buying process, issues found during the home inspection allow you to back out of the purchase. Does this apply to foreclosures also? (0 ratings) submitted by DARON J ( A- , 86%, 80 ratings), Nov 29, 04 Normally the sell of a forclosure is "as is" . This is supposed to be stated in the realestate listing. If this is the case then you would lose your earnest money if you back out of the contract. This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top How long does foreclosure take? (0 ratings) submitted by Team Jackson (0%, 0 ratings), Nov 17, 05 Most banks will let you be default for 12 months then they will start the procedure for auction this usually takes 90 days before its over and they are evicted depends on each area and the local laws This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top Where can I find an example of a letter to send to home owner's who are facing forclosure asking them if they would like to sell before their home is forclosed on? » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when an answer is posted » Top If a bank initiates a foreclosure on a property which also has an IRS lien, and the bank ends up buying back the property for the amount of the unpaid loan, does the bank also have to satisfy the IRS lien? (0 ratings) submitted by Team Jackson (0%, 0 ratings), Nov 17, 05 Yes all liens must be clear to resell the property with clear title This answer is ( useful ¤ somewhat useful ¤ incorrect ¤ offensive/spam ) » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when a new answer is posted » Top Can you use a prequalification letter to secure a bid on a property that has been foreclosed on by a mortgage company at the county sale? » Add new answer » Add new question » Email me when an answer is posted » Top » Ask a question » Send me updates Important: Answerbag cannot guarantee the accuracy of answers submitted by members, and we recommend that you use common sense when following any advice found here. Full disclaimer User tools » Ask a question » Send me updates » Send to a friend » Show in text format » RSS Feed Glossary · NOD » Add new term Related Links No links submitted yet » Add new link Answerbag experts on Real estate foreclosures 1. Andersen777 ( A- , 100%, 2 ratings) 2. 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Real estate brokers are

Real Estate Agents & Brokers Career Prospects in Virginia Real Estate Agents and Brokers Home | Find another career | Find career statistics Suggestions & corrections Printer friendly page What do they do? Real estate agents sell property for owners. Specializations : Residential property, commercial property Preferred education : Complete an approved real estate marketing program in high school (with Career & Technical Education), community college, or trade school; associate's or bachelor's degree is an advantage Certification & licensing : State license required Getting ahead : Selling more & higher-valued property brings more commissions & more property to sell Skills & knowledge : Selling, negotiating, & bargaining; working well with clients; knowledge of local area Where they work : Visiting houses & properties to be sold Job outlook : Good in the long run, but probably becoming more competitive as the housing boom of the last decade slows down Look for work : Link to job banks and other job search resources Earnings : Usually in the $16-110,000 range Links : Find more information about this career Become An Agent & Get Rich Quick? Think Again Interviews with real people See a video WHAT DO THEY DO? It's the "American Dream"-- buying a house somewhere to call one's own. And the people who assist in that dream, making a fair profit at the same time, are real estate agents. When people want to buy a house, some land, or a commercial property, they usually contact a real estate agent or broker who collects listings of all the houses, properties and parcels of land for sale in a particular city or neighborhood. The agent sorts through the listings and selects the properties that seem to fit a buyer's price range and needs. The agent then shows the property to the buyer, along with any others that seem to fit the bill. When clients have questions--for instance, how old is the roof and is the property in a flood zone--agents track down the answers. They draw up contracts between buyers and sellers, and help smooth along the whole process by acting as a "go-between" between buyer and seller. Money enters the picture when the agent actually makes a sale. Agents charge both buyers and sellers for their services. Many also offer services like renting and managing property owned by others, also for a fee. Real estate brokers are the people who own and manage real estate agencies. Real estate agents are usually independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agent’s sale of the property. (Agents are also sometimes called realtors if they belong to the National Association of Realtors). Despite all the excitement and money in real estate in recent years, selling real estate is not an easy line of work. Agents must stay on top of changes in the market by constantly touring homes that have just been listed. They work nights and weekends and have to be on call for clients who want to see them at odd times. They spend many weekend afternoons sitting at "open houses" and must be aggressive and good at drumming up new clients. In very competitive markets they must perfect the art of cold-calling or canvassing for new business. Va Association of Realtors Most importantly, real estates agents must be expert negotiators since they must manage delicate price negotiations when an interested buyer and seller hook up. The agent also coordinates the "closing" when a property is sold, that is, the actual signing of papers and transfer of a property's title. Once the property is sold, the agent who sold it and the agent who first got the listing both receive a portion of the commission. Agents who sell a property they also listed can increase their commission. Real estate agents and brokers need to know a lot about the communities in which they work. They need to know about the local real estate market and about local services, particularly the schools. They also need to be familiar with local zoning and tax laws, and know where to get financing. A broker's knowledge, resourcefulness, and creativity in arranging mortgages often means the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. Above all, the successful real estate agent has to be able to sense what clients really want in a property, be good at selecting properties that clients will like, and at helping clients be realistic about what they can afford. This type of job, in short, calls for a business-minded "people" person who really knows the lay of the land, so to speak. Specific tasks include: Finding properties to sell Estimates property will sell for to set the opening price Meeting with prospective buyers Helping buyers find property that they like Knowing the physical condition, features, and special characteristics of properties Preparing purchase agreements Referring clients to lawyers and tax consultants Working with lenders, home inspectors and others until the sale is completed to the client's satisfaction Commercial Investment Real Estate Real Estate Professional Realty Times The right job for you? Learn more with an informational interview with a local employer . The wrong job for you? Take an interest test & find a better one . SOME AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION Most real estate agents and brokers sell residential property. A small number, usually employed in large or specialized firms, sell commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other types of real estate. Every specialty requires knowledge of that particular type of property and clientele. EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, & LICENSING In Virginia, as in every other state, real estate brokers and agents need a license. Prospective agents need to be at least 18 years old, and pass a written exam. The exam--more comprehensive for brokers than for agents--includes questions on basic real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. In Virginia, agents have to complete 60 hours of real estate classes at an approved school and pass the state and national portions of the salespersons exam. Brokers must complete 180 hours of education, pass the state and national portions of the broker exam, and submit proof that they worked as a salesperson during 36 of the preceding 48 months before applying for a license. A college degree is helpful in certain areas like commercial real estate, but it is not required. Real estate licenses must be renewed every two years. To qualify for renewal, agents and brokers need to complete 8 hours of approved continuing education. In addition to licensure and continuing education requirements, real estate agents and brokers in Virginia cannot be guilty of violating the fair housing laws of any jurisdiction, nor convicted anywhere for a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, physical injury, or any felony. Real estate agents and brokers can also study to earn their GRI a nationally recognized professional designation that stands for Graduate, REALTOR® Institute. Studying to be a real estate agent in Virginia: Are you in high school? Learn more about Career and Technical Education . Find out about CTE courses in Real Estate Marketing. Students who complete this course are eligible to take the Virginia real estate licensing exam. Planning to go to college? Find real estate programs at community colleges . Read " How do I become a realtor " from the Virginia Association of Realtors. Find out more about getting a license and other issues from the Virginia Association of Realtors. Find more information on licensure and a list of schools and colleges approved to offer the required courses for brokers and agents from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. Read about GED , High School , Community College , Financial Aid , & more in The World of Education Va public schools • Your School Division • HS Graduation Requirements • Career Readiness Certificates GETTING AHEAD Real estate agents advance as they learn more about the business, become more efficient, and as a result increase their earnings by selling more property. They may also earn larger commissions by moving to agencies that list more expensive properties. In large agencies, experienced agents can advance to sales manager or general manager. Experienced real estate agents who go on to get a broker’s license may open their own offices. Others with experience and training in estimating property value may become real estate appraisers, and people familiar with operating and maintaining rental properties may become property managers. Bright ideas for getting ahead in any job SKILLS, ABILITIES, & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Communicating clearly Working well with customers or clients Working in a highly competitive environment Attention to detail Listening carefully to what someone else is saying Keeping track of numerous responsibilities at once Dealing with people under stress Being consistently pleasant and polite Building and maintaining good public relations Selling, negotiating, and bargaining Thorough knowledge of local area Inspiring trust and confidence Keeping abreast of economic conditions and trends In addition to career-specific skills, everybody needs these basic skills: Reading Math Writing Speaking & listening Computer literacy Problem-solving & decision-making Understanding the broader picture Working with people A strong work ethic A positive attitude Independence & initiative Self-presentation WHERE THEY WORK ( Employer locator ) Real estate brokers and agents spend much of their time away from their desks, showing properties to customers, analyzing properties for sale, or meeting with clients. Increasingly, real estate agents work from home because now they can get so much of the information they need over the Internet. OUTLOOK Real estate brokers and agents enjoyed boom times during the last decade, as demand for housing soared. However, the future will not be quite so bright if interest rates rise and sales slow. In fact, some experts fear that the recent housing boom is expanding into a bubble that will soon burst leading to a fall in house prices and a slowdown in sales. Even if the real estate market holds up, opportunities for agents and brokers are expected to grow more slowly than average through 2012. People who want to buy houses can now do a lot of their own searching on the Internet, and this will probably reduce the need for agents and brokers. However, jobs prospects in this field also tend to vary by region and since many people are expected to retire from this field in coming years, there will always be work available. The economy in: Your area • Virginia • The nation Employment projections Monster Employment Index Manpower Employment Outlook LOOK FOR WORK See job ads at Virginia's Job Bank • More job banks • Find local employers Learn job search skills—from reading job ads to preparing for the interview EARNINGS See what people usually earn Most real estate agents in Virginia earn somewhere in the $16-73,000 range. Brokers usually earn more, in the $20-110,000 range. Incomes in this occupation vary widely because agents work on commission. They are paid a percentage of each sale they make, so their incomes depend on the price and the number of properties they sell. The average commission is about 5-7 percent of a property's selling price. This commission rate varies from firm to firm, and commissions are often split between broker and agent on a 50-50 basis. Commissions can also be split between the agent and broker of the listing firm and the agent and broker of the firm that made the sale. Learn more about earnings at Salary.com , Payscale.com , Career Info Net , & other sites FOR MORE INFORMATION Virginia Association of Realtors 10231 Telegraph Road Glen Allen, VA 23059 www.varealtor.com Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation Real Estate Board 3600 W Broad St Richmond, VA 23230 www.state.va.us/dpor/reb_main.htm National Association of Realtors 4301 North Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60611 www.realtor.com/ National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. 1629 K St NW, Suite 1100 Washington DC 20006 www.nareb.com/ About.com's Real Estate professional's page Realty Times realtytimes.com/ WetFeet.com, Career Profiles and Interviews Career Overview www.wetfeet.com/asp/careerprofiles_overview.asp?careerpk=33 Industry Overview www.wetfeet.com/asp/industryprofiles_overview.asp?industrypk=27 Real People Profiles www.wetfeet.com/research/rpp/rppbycareer.asp?careerpk=33&careerName=Real+Estate This page was last edited on: November 18, 2005

Sell House

10 Steps to Take Before You Sell Your House - Home Selling  You are here: About > Home & Garden > Home Buying / Selling > How To Sell a House > 10 Steps to Take Before You Sell Your House - Home Selling Home & Garden Home Buying / Selling Essentials 10 Things Home Buyers Shouldn't Do Best Tips for First Time Home Buyers "Must-Do" Tasks Before You Sell How to Buy a Home, Step by Step For Sale by Owner Advice Articles & Resources How To Buy a Home How To Sell a House Celebrity & Historic Credit Reports & Scores Design & Remodel Home Maintenance Inspections & Appraisals Investing & Foreclosures Modular & Manufactured Mold, Radon, Lead, etc. Mortgage Advice Moving & Relocation Real Estate Careers Real Estate For Sale Vacation Homes Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Home Buying Books Foreclosure Books Mortgage Books Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Home Buying / Selling newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Home Buying / Selling Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page More Home Selling Articles Understanding Material Facts and Property Disclosures Get Ready for Your Home Inspection Should You Buy a Home Warranty? More Home Selling Resources How to Read the HUD-1 Settlement Statement Getting the House Ready to Sell How To Measure Your Square Footage Recent Discussions Excellent credit, no savings- help!! Buying an out of state home ? Re-financing... Related Blogs Mortgage Fraud Blog The Real Estate Blog The Money Pit Most Popular Modular and Manufactured Homes Finding Your Best Place to ... Home Buying Don'ts First Time Home Buyer Tips Before You Sell Your Home What's Hot Coping with Unethical People How To Buy Land Real Estate Appraisal Before You Buy a Log Home Package Home Buying / Selling - GuideReviews Related Topics Home Repair Architecture Credit / Debt Management Housekeeping Landscaping 10 Important Steps to Take Before You Sell Your House From Janet Wickell , Your Guide to Home Buying / Selling . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Essential Home Selling Preparations The home selling process differs from state to state, but there are some important steps that most home sellers should take before listing a house with an agent or selling it for sale by owner. Every bit of prep work you do helps you get the most return from your investment. 1. Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan I've known sellers who signed a contract to sell their house before they knew if they were qualified to buy another. Either their financial circumstances had changed since their last purchase, and they could no longer qualify for a loan, or they weren't able to sell at a price that allowed them to buy the type of replacement house they wanted. They ended up renting or buying something that was far from ideal. Before you decide to sell the house, get pre-approved by a lender you trust and research the housing market in the area where you wish to live so that you have a good idea how much it will take to buy a replacement. Start looking for two types of real estate: houses that seem to match the one you'd like to buy and houses that are similar to your current home. How do the two categories compare in price? Can you handle the difference if you're planning a step up? Mortgage Helpers: Are You Pre-Approved for a Mortgage? And to compare for-sale homes to your own, learn how to Measure Residential Square Footage . 2. Check Your Mortgage Payoff Call your lender to check the payoff for your current home mortgage. You'll need the figure to complete Step 6. 3. Determine How Much Your House Is Worth Determine your home's fair market value. Real estate agents will usually help you determine value as a courtesy, but you might take it a step further and order an appraisal . 4. Estimate Your Costs to Sell Real estate commission if you use an agency to sell. Advertising costs, signs, other fees if you plan to sell by owner. Attorney, closing agent and other professional fees. Excise tax for the sale. Prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such as property taxes, home owner association fees, and fuel tank rentals. Any other fees typically paid by the seller in your area (surveys, inspections, etc.). Real estate agents deal with transactions every day and can give you a very close estimate of seller closing costs. 5. Estimate Costs to Buy a New Home Calculate moving expenses, loan costs, downpayment, home inspections, title work and title policy, paying for a new hazard insurance policy--all expenses related to buying a home. Your lender should give you a disclosure of estimated costs when you apply for loan pre-approval. 6. Calculate Your Estimated Proceeds Deduct your mortgage payoff from your home's fair market value. Deduct your costs to sell from the remainder to get an estimate of the proceeds you will be paid at closing. Will your closing proceeds cover your costs to buy a new home? If not, do you have cash or other funding to make up the difference? 7. Make Necessary Repairs Make all needed repairs unless you want the house to be regarded as a fixer-upper. I'm not referring to cosmetic updates--just items in need of repair. Anything that's obviously broken gives potential buyers a reason to offer you a lower price, especially if it's one of several repair hot spots that worry buyers the most. 8. Get the House Ready to Show Most houses need at least a little spiffing up before they are shown to potential buyers. Great curb appeal , fresh paint indoors (and sometimes out), organized closets and cabinets, sparkling clean windows and appliances and a clutter-free look are essential if you want the house to appeal to buyers. Be sure to avoid the things buyers hate most about houses. 9. Get Psyched Up to Let People In If you're listing with a real estate agent, she'll ask you to leave when the house is shown. Why? Because lurking sellers make buyers nervous--they don't feel comfortable inspecting the house when they feel they are intruding in your personal space. Unless there's a valid reason for it, don't ask your agent to be present for all showings, because that requirement can be the kiss of death for showing activity. Other agents want privacy with their buyers and they don't usually have time to work around your agent's schedule. Make the house accessible. That means it should always be ready to show. Many agents won't bother showing a house that takes 24 hours to get into. 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