In the past, the key to closing many of the deals on Abacoa homes for sale often relied on a real estate agents networking skills. Those of us with a successful real estate history knew where to go to bring Abacoa homes for sale, lenders and buyers together.
In fact, the real estate community became so used to “the way things were done,” the standards for home purchasing and financing became a little too easy, especially when it came to getting approved for a mortgage. Today, regulators have taken aim at any less-than-transparent practices by, quite simply, changing the rules.
Were the “good ole’ days” competitive? Most definitely. Were they as competitive as they are today? Not even close.
Now, in order to complete contracts on Abacoa homes for sale, you have more transparency and a stricter set of industry standards, particularly when it comes to working with lenders. The good news is the changes in transparency and industry standards are designed to protect you as the seller and your buyer.
With Change Comes Education
With all the changes to the real estate industry, real estate agents have to stay informed in order to serve your best interests. After all, would you really want an agent following outdated rules from 10 years ago? Probably not, especially if you knew that outdated rules might make your sales contract useless.
How do we stay informed? One way is through the NAR. The National Association of Realtors®, the nation’s largest trade organization, has started several programs to keep agents updated on exciting developments and market trends. Some of the most beneficial programs include:
- Accredited Buyer Representation (ABR)
- Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS)
- Green Principles
- Graduate Realtor® Institute
- Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
- Short Sale and Foreclosure Certification (SFR)
Without continuing educational courses like these, staying updated on the real estate industry would be a lot harder. Most of us already have the experience, but ongoing training is also important. Why? So we know all the ways to attract buyers to your home, no matter what they’re looking for. In other words, learning what they’re looking for helps us to better understand what selling points your home has, and how best to market them.
Now, real estate deals are upfront and hidden agendas are a thing of the past. Your goal, as owner and seller of one of the Abacoa homes for sale, is to make sure the agent you hire is up-to-date on any changes that may affect the sale.
Don’t be afraid to ask about their education and training. The best agent is the one who doesn’t hesitate to answer with a list of certifications and current courses.
If you’d like to sell your home and want an informed Abacoa real estate agent, look no further. Give me a call today at 561.309.0154 or email me for a complete list of all my certifications and education.
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