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Ask a Question, get an answer. I am a Real Estate Broker, not an attorney. I cannot give legal advice. I will answer any question and post both the question and the answer here. Ask Alisa a Question Expect the response in 24 hours or less.Question: What should I look for in a real estate agent? Answer: Any person who has a real estate license can be an agent. Usually, there are two types of licenses: Salesman and Broker. Colorado is a Broker license only state. An agency relationship is created when a person signs an agreement for representation with a licensee. I feel that experience and education are the most important. Recommendations from friends and family. Interview at least three potential agents. Hire the one you feel the most comfortable with. I have no problems with a one week agreement if you are a buyer and 90 days if you are a seller. Look for someone who has designations (like ABR, CRS and e-PRO), a website and checks email frequently. Question: Should I get my new construction house inspected. Answer: Absolutely. Consider hiring an engineer to look at it at foundation, pre-drywall (electrical) and prior to your final walk-thru before closing. Also consider another inspection prior to the one year warranty expiration date. Question: How does the commission thing work? Answer: In traditional real estate brokerages, the brokerage companies (listing and selling) split the total commission (50-50, 60-40...) Then the brokerage company splits their portion with your agent (50-50, 60-40, 70-30, 90-10,) or the agent gets 100% of the brokerage fee, but pays a monthly fee to the brokerage company. The monthly fee is paid regardless of any income being earned, or due. Question: How do I know I've picked the right house for me? Answer: Most of my buyers have a set "wants and needs list". If all their needs are met and most of their wants are met, it should be a house on the "Top 3" list. Often the buyers have a *feeling* about a house. It's a gut instinct kind of thing. Never settle for an item on the need list: I need 3 bedrooms, a main floor laundry, a full basement, 3 car garage. Settle on the items on the want list: I'd like a finished basement, I'd like a covered patio, I'd like air conditioning, I'd like a house with no wallpaper. Question: What do the letters after your name mean? Answer: These are designations that over the years, I have earned. When I first started out in 1989, I passed the salesman's license test. Later, I passed the broker's license test. (Then, Colorado went to a broker only state.) In order to show my clients and other brokers that I was committed to my profession, I took extra education classes, passed the requirements and now have many designations. I am very proud of the time and number of transactions required for these designations. Question: Where should I look for houses on the Internet? Answer: A lot of people search www.realtor.com, but often find the property information is not up to date. Most brokers have what is called IDX (Internet Data Exchange) on their websites, that info is updated every weekday. See alisa.myhomecards.com for my IDX solution. Not only can you search available properties, but you can sign up for daily email updates! What I like about this service is that if the property gets a new photo or a price reduction, you get another email. No matter what the market is, it is best for buyers to make decisions with regards to the properties they want to see. I usually pick the first 3 properties to evaluate. And after that I look for properties I think match your wants and needs, occasionally, you choose some to go see that are different than your search criteria - whatever works for you, is fine with me. Question: Do I need a broker to buy and sell an investment property? Answer: Yes. You need an advisor to both buy below market and sell after repairs are near completion. Question: What do you do for fun? Answer: Besides spending time with my family, I love the recreation centers in Highlands Ranch, and I love to bowl. In 2004, my team finished 2nd in a Ladies League, and 1st in a Mixed League. 2005 USBC Nationals I placed in the top 100 for the singles moving up two divisions from last year. In 2004 WIBC Nationals in Wichita, I placed 3rd in my division for singles, and 4th in all events for my division. More than 42,000 women bowled in Nationals!
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