What is the best way to search for Outer Banks real estate?The best way to search for property is the way you feel most comfortable with. However there is a way to save you time and to help you avoid missing out on a good value. Talk with an agent about your criteria and then have them set up an automatic search in the MLS system. When ever a property is listed or the price is reduced that meets your criteria it will be automatically emailed to you. You'll never miss another good value. It is also a good idea to view listings through the IDX feed in a local Realtor's web site. The listing data here is updated more frequently than other web sites. Looking at old, outdated information can be a waste of time.
Back to topWhat is the MLS?The MLS is a computer data system that almost all real estate agents use to market their listings. Consequently it has information on almost all of the properties for sale on the Outer Banks. This properties for sale information is directly available to the public through an automatic data feed to many sources on the world wide web. If you don't have Internet access your agent can search for you as well. Once you tell your agent what you are interested in purchasing, they can quickly search the database to find properties that might meet your needs.
Back to topWhy should I use a Realtor?Realtors offer many services that will save buyers and sellers time and money. Below are a few of the most valuable:
Negotiation Skills: Realtors are experts at negotiating the best price and terms for their clients. Realtors can offer an objective synopsis of the negotiations and anticipate where they can help their clients save time.
Market Knowledge and Consultation: Many times Realtors know of areas or properties unfamiliar to buyers that will best fit their wants and needs. Because Realtors are in the market on a daily basis, they can help buyers identify and secure well priced properties quickly.
Loyalty: Once a Realtor enters into an agency agreement with a client, they must look out for their client's best interests. Not only will this help buyers during the selection and offer phase of their transaction, but also it will help them through closing.
Trust: Realtors subscribe to a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. This document is based on the golden rule of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and promoting the real estate interests of the public.
Time: Realtors spend their time searching for the right property for you. Once they help you secure that property for closing, they coordinate the events and individuals necessary for a successful closing.
Back to topWhy should I choose Scott Team Realty?Scott Team Realty offers the public a unique brand of real estate service based on the team effort. All the agents at Scott Team Realty work together as a team to serve the public. Unlike typical real estate companies, each agent has a vested interest in satisfying each client. If the person you have talked to is out showing property, you will receive the same personalized service from any other associate with our firm.
Scott Team Realty also has folks that specialize in different parts of the transaction. The real estate sales industry demands that its agents are talented in many areas. Individuals must be good negotiators and good marketers as well as have good organizational skills. Agents also must be knowledgeable in many areas including property values, legal aspects of real estate, accounting, zoning and construction. Very few agents excel in all of these areas. By having specialists in each aspect of a transaction, it is possible to not only handle these details, but also to offer excellence in all aspects of the transaction.
Back to topWhat are the qualifications of this company?The agents at Scott Team Realty hold five different real estate designations identifying them as top professionals in their field. Furthermore, they have been recognized by their peers in the industry. Jeff Scott has received the Agent of the Year award from the local Association of Realtors twice.
Back to topWhat is the experience of Scott Team Realty's agents?Jeff Scott has been helping folks buy and sell Outer Banks real estate since 1989. During this time he has participaed in or managed an agent who particpated in over three quarters of a billion dollars in Outer Banks real estate sales. Karen Bliss has been working in the real estate industry since the early 1990's. She has been the Transaction Coordinator for Scott Team Realty since 2003. Lori-Jo Scott has been an officer of Scott Team Realty, Inc. since its inception in 2002 and has been a real estate broker since then as well.
Back to topDoes an agent automatically represent me?When a buyer first meets a Realtor, the agent represents the seller. North Carolina law requires agents to work for the seller until the buyer and the agent agree to the agency relationship. During this time period buyers should be careful not to tell an agent anything they would not want a seller to know.
Back to topWhat duties does the agent have to their client?If the real estate firm and its agents represent you, they must: promote your best interests,be loyal to you, follow your lawful instructions, provide you with all material facts that could influence your decisions, use reasonable skill, care and diligence to help you obtain the property, account for all moneys they handle for you.
Back to topCan an agency work for both me and the seller?An agency can work for both the buyer and the seller. This is called dual agency. A dual agent must treat buyers and sellers fairly and equally. Although a dual agent owes them the same duties, buyers and sellers can prohibit dual agents from divulging confidential information about them to the other party.
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