Home Loans The Commonwealth
Commonwealth Bank Group - Personal - Home Loans - Home Seeker Loan This will adjust the viewing area of your Internet Explorer browser based on your screen resolution. Home Loans The Commonwealth Bank offers a complete range of loan options designed to meet different needs and goals. Apply online and pay $0 Establishment Fee. For a limited time only. Use our Home Loan Options at a Glance table to compare our products or read more information in our Home & Investment Home Loans brochure . You can also read about the home buying process here . The Complete Home Loan/ Investment Home Loan is a suite of loans with a full range of interest rate options, offset options, and other flexible features. 1 Year Guaranteed Rate Home Loan : ensures that your repayments will remain the same month to month for the first important year. 1-5 and 7, 10 and 15 Year Fixed Rate Home Loans : allows you to have the security of predictable loan repayments for an agreed period of time. Standard Variable Rate Home Loan : a full feature loan that allows you to benefit from market rates when they're lower. 6 or 12 Month Discounted Variable Rate Home Loan : low introductory rates that give you the benefits of lower repayments in the first 6 or 12 months or your property purchase. Economiser Home/ Investment Home Loan offers a low variable interest rate, with a range of flexible options. It caters for those who don't need all the features of the Complete/Investment Home Loan. Home Seeker Loan offers 'in principle' approval which is valid for 12 months. It allows you to search for a home knowing your finance is in place. Other finance options Viridian Line of Credit lets you free up the equity you have in your home for other purposes. It provides you with a revolving line of credit through a convenient single account that you can use daily. Viridian Addvantage is an 'all-in-one' portfolio style facility that allows you to include up to ten separate loan accounts under the one 'umbrella' limit, and provides the flexibility of designing and modifying your account structure to suit your changing needs. Family Equity Family Equity is a home buying solution unlike any other. It's a range of financing options that can help you secure a home loan, repay a home loan or a combination of both. The central idea is that both you and your family help secure and fund the loan and/or repayments, together. Equity Unlock is a flexible financing solution for seniors who are retired and aged 65 and over. It allows you to access the equity in your home without limiting your lifestyle. The Equity Unlock Loan for Seniors enables you to access the equity in your home for such things as home improvements, the purchase of a new car, payment of medical expenses, taking a holiday or simply to supplement your income. Wealth Package is a program that recognises that the more business you have with the Commonwealth Bank Group, the more benefits you should enjoy. This can include special savings on selected Commonwealth Bank home loans, as well as credit cards and insurance. Bridging Loans - help you with finance to buy your new property before you have sold your existing property. Low Documentation Home Loans - are a flexible financing solution for self-employed people who have an income and assets, but may not have the usual paperwork at the time of application. Deposit Guarantee - is a quick and easy alternative to a cash deposit that is payable when signing a contract to purchase residential property. A Deposit Guarantee represents the cash deposit until settlement. At settlement, the purchaser is required to pay the full purchase price including the deposit. Find the loan option that's right for you with our Home Loan Selector or you can view all the options at a glance .Furthermore, to make sure you select the home loan that meets your needs, you can view and print the terms and conditions on our full range of home loans ( Usual Terms and Conditions for Consumer Mortgage Lending (UTC) ) - download pdf (135KB). Note: These terms and conditions do not apply to HomePath loans and do not represent a formal offer of finance. The UTC is made available for your information only. You can also obtain a copy of the UTC by calling us on 13 2224 between 8am and 10pm, 365 days a year. The Your Home section of our site gives you information on what's involved in buying a home or an investment property, or financing renovations. Selling your home? Park your surplus funds from the sale of your property by depositing them in an AwardSaver account or any other Commonwealth Bank deposit account and you could qualify for one of our home loan discounts with our Park & Hold facility. Don't forget the insurance! Home Insurance with Loan Repayment Great benefits for Home/Investment Home Loan customers From 29 March 2004, existing and new home/investment home loan customers can elect to pay their CommInsure # Home and/or Contents premium through their loan repayment. This payment option is only available for customers paying their insurance premium monthly. Combining your insurance premium with your loan repayment will make life easier when calculating household expenses. # CommInsure is a registered business name of Commonwealth Insurance Limited ABN 96 067 524 216, a wholly owned, but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia. CommInsure can assist you with all your property and personal insurance needs. Get more information Apply online . Ask one of our home loan consultants to contact you: Contact Me . Request an appointment with a Mobile Banker . Call us on 13 2224 between 8am and 10pm, 365 days a year. Have a Home Loan Kit sent to you - just complete the request form . Please note: The above information is subject to change without notice. Applications for finance are subject to the Bank's (where applicable) credit approval criteria. Full terms and conditions will be included in the loan offer. Other fees and charges are payable. apply now Apply online Contact Me Meet with Mobile Banker Request Home Loan Kit Call 13 2224 8am to 10pm useful tools Home Loan Calculators Home Loan Selector Home & Contents Insurance Calculator Guide to Buying a Home Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide rates and fees Home Loan rates Important Information about advice: This advice has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation and needs. Find out more about what this means for you on http://www.commbank.com.au/fsra/advice.asp Home Loan Options Complete Home Loan Economiser Home Loan Home Seeker Loan Viridian Line of Credit Viridian Addvantage Wealth Package Low Doc Home Loan Home & Investment Home Loans Quick Links Home Loans at a Glance Finding a Home Financing Your Home Servicing Your Home Loan CommInsure You are here: Home > Personal > Home Loans -- Security & Privacy | Site Information | Commonwealth Bank of Australia 2005 ABN 48 123 123 124 home | site index | help | glossary | locate us | contact us Financial Needs: day to day banking > youth and students > your home > building wealth > your retirement > Products: transaction and savings > credit cards > personal lending > home loans > investment and super > insurance > Online Services: NetBank > CommSec > personal centre business centre institutional banking shareholder centre about us All Day to Day Banking - Easy Ways to Bank - Minimising Fees - Budgeting and Saving - Going on Holidays - Moving to Australia All Youth and students - Banking at School - Under 18s - Young Adults 18 to 20 years old - Tertiary Students - Overseas Students All Your Home - Finding a Home - Financing Your Home - Financing Your Renovations - Investing in Property All Building Wealth - Achieving Financial Goals - Investment Basics - Why invest in Managed Funds? - Why invest in Super? - Borrowing to Invest All Your Retirement - Retirement Basics - Sobering Retirement Facts - Retirement Income Streams - Social Security & Taxation All Transaction and Savings Transaction Accounts - Streamline Account - Woolworths Ezy Action Account - Pensioner Security Account Savings Accounts - NetBank Saver - AwardSaver Account - Youthsaver Account - Cash Investment Account - Education Savings Plan - Commonwealth Direct Investment Account - Commonwealth Cash Management Trust - Term Deposits - Mortgage Interest Saver Account All Credit Cards - Features and Benefits of Our Credit Cards - Important information about your credit card - Standard Card With Interest Free Period - Standard Card With No Interest Free Period - Gold Card - Platinum Credit Card - Golf Card - Woolworths Ezy MasterCard - Commonwealth Awards - Commonwealth Awards Gold - Commonwealth Awards Platinum All Personal Lending Personal Loans - Fixed Rate - Variable Rate - Fixed Rate Secured Streamline Overdraft Student Loans All Home Loans - The Complete Home Loan - Economiser Home Loan - Home Seeker Loan - Servicing your Home Loan - Viridian Line of Credit - Viridian Addvantage - Family Equity - Investment Home Loans - Bridging Loans - Wealth Packages - Equity Unlock Loan for Seniors - Deposit Guarantee All Investment and Super - Short-Term Investment Options - Managed Funds - Superannuation - Retirement Income Streams - Need Advice - Education Savings Plan - Colonial Service Information - Commonwealth Financial Services Information All Insurance - Life Insurance - Income Protection Insurance - Home and Contents Cover - Investment Home Insurance - Motor Insurance Information Test Drive Register Now Log On Information Log On NetBank CommSec Managed Funds Balances Super Balances Unit Prices Commonwealth Research Commodities Centre
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Chao Co., Ltd-Hochiminh city-VIETNAM REAL ESTATE-houses, house rental, vietnam housing, apartments, car rental, hotels, resorts, offices, rent, lease, Hochiminh city, Vietnam Vietnam real estate, car rental, house rental, houses, housing, apartments, offices, hotels, resorts, factories, warehouses, cars, rent, lease, hire, sale in Hochiminh city (hcm), saigon, Vietnam. Vienam housing, vietnam car rental, vietnam resorts, vietnam hotels. Real Estate in Hochiminh Apartment rent & lease House rental in Hochiminh House lease contract Office lease & rent House online order Vietnam Car Rental Car rental vietnam Car lease contract Car online order Hotels & Resort Hotels in vietnam Resorts in vietnam Hotel-resort order Real estates for sale Vietnam industrial parks Factory & warehouse order Business & Investment Calling projects in Vietnam Investment consultancy More Hochiminh city Hanoi information Vietnam useful information Web links Other Online Orders Flight online booking Đăng k nh - xe (Vietnamese) Home page Contact Us Site map apartments for rent in hochiminh city house rental in hochiminh city Apartment TS, district 3, a five storey building, brand new, 10 minutes to the downtown, cable TV with international channels, security, housekeeping service, ADSL, fully furnished, spacious, nice living, dining room and kitchen, modern and good quality, quiet street, there are total 13units, one, two and three bedrooms, from 60, 87 and 95sq.m, basement for parking, back-up generator, fully furnished. TS Apartment is well laid-out and furnished to offer you a great blend of comfort, convenience and full services for your immediate occupancy. More apartments... LAKEVIEW VILLAS: Thu Duc district, Hochiminh city, Saigon, Vietnam. 30 to 40minutes to center of town and 15minutes away from Industrial Parks (HiTech-Parks, Song Than, etc), quiet, secure and peaceful place to live. New houses are available now with the lake view, gym, common pool, tennis courts, garden, fresh air, 24hours security, bus service to International, British, Korean, Collete schools and center of city, satellite TV with international channels, ... More house rentals.... vietnam car rental office for lease in hochiminh city Toyota Zace: One of the most popular for rent, cheap rental and 8seats in Vietnam, a car exuding style that fits your needs for family and business. A 1800cc EFI (Electronic Fuel Injector) unleaded gasoline engine gives smooth. Mitsubishi Jolie: One of the most popular for rent, cheap rental and 8seats in Vietnam, The unique 8-seater high-quality semi-bonnet styling MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) with a sophisticated image in a solid construction. All of our cars are new modern, year 2000-2005. The price is usually inclusive of driver's salary and fuel/ gas. Our drivers can speak English and willing to work in the weekend. We supply car rental, daily, monthly or long term period with special offer. More car rentals ... Zen Plaza office building: International standard facilities & service, located in central district, district 1, right in heart of Hochiminh city, Vietnam. Central air-conditioning System, Individual fan coil meters, temperature Control to unit, Fire protection: Sprinkler, Smoke & Heat Alarm, Fire hoses, 2 emergency, staircases with fire-protected doors, 24 hour security, 100% power back-up, Parking area: 2 basements, Ceiling height: 2.45m, Three passenger elevators and one service elevator, Air-conditioning: 8a.m to 6p.m Monday to Friday; 8a.m to 12a.m Saturday except Sunday and Public Holiday More office buildings... vietnam hotels & resorts projects calling for investment MAJESTIC HOTEL: The Majesticis ideally located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City (SaiGon), overlooking the Saigon River, just 20 minutes from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The shopping and business centre are only within steps and the well-known Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post Central Office and The Municipal Theater are all minutes away. Since 1925, the Majestic has been inherited one of the citys finest location, where guests enjoy superlative views of Saigon River. More vietnam hotels... Thu Thiem New Township - Ho Chi Minh city 1. Transport 2. Power 3. Telecommunications network 4. Water supply 5. Drainage and sewerage, environment sanitation 6. Technical infrastructure Project of Development Hochiminh city Subway System A city-wide subway system for Ho Chi Minh City (195 km by the year of 2020). Total capital investment: $US 2.65-4 billion. More projects in Vietnam ... chao sitemap Chao Co., Ltd Vietnam expat services Mobile: +84 913 804 550 Email: chaovn@hcm.vnn.vn or hcm@chaocom.com Web: www.chaocom.com Chao Co., Ltd 2003 - 2005 All right reserved - www.chaocom.com
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How to Buy a Home and Other Real Estate - Home Buying Advice You are here: About > Home & Garden > Home Buying / Selling > How To Buy a Home 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 > How To Buy a Home How To Buy a Home and Other Real Estate Find the answers to your questions about buying a home or other real estate. The home buying tools here help you understand all of the steps you must take to have a successful and stress-free home buying experience. Subtopics Blogs (3) Home Seller Disclosures (4) Boundary Surveys (3) Mortgage Info and Advice @ Condo, Townhouses, Co-ops (8) Offers and Contracts (7) Easement & Right of Way (4) Real Estate Auctions (1) eCourses (3) Real Estate Deeds (2) Eminent Domain (5) Real Estate Glossary (57) Escrow and Closing (9) Title Insurance (5) First Time Home Buyers (2) Working with Agents (9) Home Buying Book Reviews (2) Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent 10 Things You Shouldn't Do When You're Buying a Home You might be pre-approved for a home mortgage, but that doesn't mean buying a home is a sure thing. Here are ten things you shouldn't do before the keys are in your hand. 11 Steps to Buying a Home You'll feel more confident about your home buying journey when you understand what is required of you and every other person who is involved in the transaction. Use this step by step home buying guide to get started. Buying a Home with Good Resale Potential Most of us won't live in the same house for the rest of our lives, so it makes sense to at least try to buy a home with good resale potential. Here's some advice to help you do just that. Coping with Buyer Remorse Are you suddenly feeling queasy about the house you just agreed to purchase? You might have a case of buyer remorse, a condition that sometimes occurs between the time your home buying contract is accepted until you actually go to the closing table. Here's some advice to help you determine if your concerns are valid or a simple case of nervousness. Dealing with Unethical and Incompetent People Are you uneasy about some of the events that are taking place during your home buying transaction? Is your real estate agent, attorney or other person involved less than helpful--or worse, unethical? Then it's time for you to take charge of the transaction and do what's necessary to make sure your interests are protected. Staying Secure if the Real Estate Bubble Bursts I'm sure you've heard talk about the real estate bubble, a condition that occurs when real estate values balloon very rapidly, then burst, driving prices downwards. You can help protect yourself from a bursting bubble by following a few basic guidelines. Taking Your Final Walk-Through When you're buying a home, it's essential to do a final walk-through inspection prior to closing. Learn the best times for you to take your walk through and find out what you should be on the lookout for. Working With a For Sale By Owner Seller Advice to help you work effectively with a for sale by owner seller. These tips help you avoid problems at or before closing. Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Oprah's Life Vacation Ideas Shop Safely Online VIDEO: Craft Rooms VIDEO: Christmas Traditions 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 Headlines Getting Ready to Sell Your House Guests and lots of activities make it difficult to show... Before You Buy Gas Logs Gas logs are growing in popularity every year, so manufacturers... Pros and Cons of Becoming a Real Estate Agent You've decided you want to become a real estate agent,... Step-by-Step Directions Help You Measure Square Footage Each year, home owners discover that their new home's square...
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CBS News | Be Your Own Real Estate Broker | May 21, 2004 22:03:39 CBSNews.com The Web Home | U.S. | World | Politics | SciTech | Health | Entertainment | Business | Opinion | NEW --Strange News | Sports | Public Eye | Interactives | FREE CBS News Video The Early Show | CBS Evening News | 48 Hours | 60 Minutes The Saturday Early Show -- | CBS Sunday Morning | Face The Nation | Up To The Minute | Build Your Own Newscast Main Page Living HealthWatch Leisure Series The Saturday Early Show Chef On A Shoestring Second Cup Caf Ask Mike Up Next Program Facts Bios Contact Info Inside Scoop Contributors Bios Special Report Money Matters Early Show financial adviser Ray Martin offers tips to keep your financial house in order. Interactive U.S. Markets History of trading and definitions of key terms RELATED STORIES & LINKS Let The House Hunting Begin Tips For Those Diving Into The Real Estate Market This Spring Taking A Home Equity Loan? Be Careful What You Use The Money For Home Mortgage Rates Up A Bit Both 30 and 15-Year Rates Up, Ending A Three Week Stretch Of Drops Inflation Isn't A Problem Consumer Prices Dip 0.2 Percent In November, After Flat October Be Your Own Real Estate Broker NEW YORK, May 22, 2004 (CBS) The housing market is hot. In fact, homes are in such high demand that many sellers are wondering if they even need to hire a real estate agent to broker the deal. Financial adviser Ray Martin gave some tips on The Saturday Early Show for owners who want to sell a home themselves. Home values are up, mortgage rates are low and properties in hot markets are selling in days. The only fly in the ointment for many sellers is the traditional six percent commission paid to real estate brokers who make the deal. As home values continue to skyrocket, the broker commission skyrockets as well. Meanwhile, it seems as though these brokers are doing nothing more than watching the home sell and then collecting a large commission. The thought of having to pay brokers $10,000 or more to sell a home that fetches a buyer in less than week is causing many sellers to stop and think: "Do I really need to spend that money?" FSBO (For Sale By Owner) can be a good option for some people, Martin says. If your home is in a hot location, at a price that is affordable to many potential buyers, and similar homes are in short supply, this can be a good strategy. But, Martins says, FSBO is not for everyone. The following are three potential pitfalls of being your own broker: Setting A Price: The housing market is constantly changing and you really need to have a good feel for the market in order to set a reasonable price. You don't want to lose money by naming a price that's too low, but your don't want to frighten buyers away by over-charging. Getting the Word Out: Putting a "For Sale" sign in your yard is probably not going to sell your house. Most buyers don't have time to cruise around neighborhoods, searching for signs. When you list your home with a broker, they place your information in the area's MLS (Multiple Listing Service). This alerts all real estate agents in the area that your home is for sale -- making it easy for them to pinpoint potential buyers and bring them by for a visit. You can't do this alone. Becoming Emotionally Involved: Selling a home is the second-most emotional transaction you'll ever make, Martin says, second only to buying a home. Mixing emotion and business is not a good thing. If a buyer comes through the door and immediately points out your home's flaws instead of the beautifully restored floors or lovingly painted walls, it's going to hurt. You may be tempted to turn down this buyer's offer, even if it's fair. This is where a realtor can help. It's not a home to them, it's a business deal -- one they want to close quickly and collect on. Despite these pitfalls, Martin says he is not trying to steer everyone away from selling their homes themselves. He says you need to be aware of the pitfalls and if you think you can tackle them, give it a try -- particularly if you're in a hot market. You can try FSBO for a set amount of time, and if you're not successful, you can turn to a broker. If nothing else, use the knowledge that you could be your own broker to negotiate a commission with your broker. That storied six percent is a result of tradition, not law; nowhere does it say that you have to pay brokers six percent. There are conflicting numbers on how many homeowners are selling their homes themselves. About 14 percent of sellers went solo in 2003, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Boston Globe newspaper reviewed sales in its area and found that closer to 25 percent of sales were FSBO. There's no question that there are a lot of services targeted to sellers looking to go FSBO. If you are looking for an alternative to a traditional real estate agent, here are some popular options: Flat Fee Brokers: There seem to be two major players here -- Help-U-Sell and Assist-2-Sell . Both companies are franchises that connect you with local licensed real estate agents. You show your home yourself, and these agents perform all other duties of a traditional broker. The best part, Martin says, is that you pay them one flat fee that varies based on home's value and location. If you pay them a little more, the realtors from these companies will show your house too. An example: a Help-U-Sell customer in Chicago was selling his home for $345,000. The six percent commission would have totaled $21,000. Instead, he paid Help-U-Sell $4,950 to sell his home. If the agent lists your home on the MLS, and another broker brings you a buyer, you will have to pay that broker their two or three percent commission. FSBO Marketing: Other companies such as FSBO.com and ForSaleByOwner.com offer you a variety of marketing options at different price points. You can choose to have your home listed on the companies' Web sites. You can pay more and have yard signs and color brochures designed for your home. Pay even more and have a virtual tour included in your home's listing. Each company is different and offers different packages. Martin says the ultimate packages, which costs $500 or more, allow you to list your home on the MLS -- the same place real estate agents list houses. Again, there's a catch here: if a buyer is brought to your home by an agent who saw the listing on MLS, you do have to pay that broker's two or three percent commission. Negotiated Broker Commission: Again, Martin says you don't have to pay a six percent commission. So don't! In fact, commissions now average a bit over five percent, according to a survey by Real Trends publishers. If your home is on the expensive side and in a hot market, have a serious conversation with your potential broker. Remind him or her that if you list with them, they will get paid. But if you strike out on your own, they get nothing. Isn't one or two percent better than nothing? MMIV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. INSIDE Saturday Early Show Feliz Navidad From Jon Secada Latin Star Sings Songs Of Christmas Celebrate Christmas Eve With Fish Last Christmas Together Safe Cooking: A Quiz More TOP STORIES Conditions Ripe For More Fires Forecasters Predict Return Of Hazardous Conditions; 5 Killed In Texas, Okla. 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BuyMyself - Canale, IRED Attitude & News Home Directories Int'l Realty US Realty BuyMyself Choosing A Real Estate Agent By Stephen M. Canale, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA There's a common saying in the real estate industry regarding the vast number of agents in the business: "If you don't have any friends who are agents, then you probably don't have any friends at all." With so many agent out there, how can you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, neighbor or coworker? Should you work with an agent at a large firm, a small firm, a franchise or an independent? While there's an exception to every rule, and every marketplace has its own nuances, here are some solid rules to apply when you want the best representation to protect your interests. Demand Experience The real estate profession is plagued by high turnover. This creates a workforce that is made up of many newcomers. While there are brand new agents with good intentions, why trust one of the largest investment you'll ever buy or sell to someone without experience? Always look for an agent with at least two years of experience. Anyone still in the business after two years has probably learned at least the fundamentals of real estate. Look for Commitment Another problem we have in the industry is a large number of part time and recreational salespeople. These folks have either retired from some other career, work in real estate seasonally or are earning a second income for the family and honestly don't need to work full time. No matter how long they have been in real estate, their lack of full-time commitment makes it impossible for them to keep up with the vast changes in law, marketing and business practices that are occurring in the profession today. If an agent isn't working at least thirty hours a week, fifty weeks a year, look for someone else. Consider Education In the majority of states, the requirements for real estate licensing are substantially less than those for cutting hair. In Michigan, for example, all that is required is a forty-hour class and a multiple choice test. You cannot rely on licensing to indicate competence. And, unfortunately, many agent's real estate education ends with their pre-license education. While there are numerous advanced real estate education courses available, the only technical and competence based program available nationwide is the Graduate, REALTORS® Institute (GRI) series, which is administered under the direction of the National Association of REALTORS®. A REALTOR® who completes the fifteen eight-hour modules, and passes examinations, may then use the designation of GRI. While only 15%-20% of agents have earned this accreditation, it should not be too difficult finding a GRI in your marketplace as they will commonly print the designation behind their name in advertising as well as on letterhead and business cards. Conduct Interviews Before you hire an agent to help you buy or sell a home, you should interview at least three agents in person. In order to do this, first get recommendations from friends, family and neighbors. Then look on the web, in homes magazines and the local newspaper to see what kind of marketing the various companies are doing in your area and call a few that impress you. Then make brief fact-finding calls to determine which of the agents on your list are full time, experienced and either hold the GRI designation or are at least working aggressively toward it. You will probably need to call ten to fifteen agents in order to find three that are worth interviewing. The interview itself need not be a formal one. It is simply an opportunity for you to meet the candidate and explain your needs; and to determine whether you would be comfortable working with them. Ask whatever questions you like, or simply explain your goals and listen carefully to what they propose to do for you in meeting your needs. The decision If you follow the suggestions above, you will find that there are excellent agents working for firms both large and small; both franchised and independent. Thus, the real decision must be made based on the competency of the individual agent you will be working with on a day-to-day basis. Stephen M. Canale is President, Broker/Instructor of Acclaim Residential Marketing Ann Arbor, Michigan | IRED Home | Search IRED | © 1995-2005 IRED.Com, Inc All Rights Reserved