New Jersey Real Estate MarketNew Jersey Real Estate Tips May 10, 2016

Best Season to Sell a Home

Knowing what the best season is to buy or sell a home is just the tip of the iceberg. Believe it or not, there are also best days to list a home or make an offer. Sometimes the best days to buy and sell coincide, but not always. That becomes important when you go from listing your home to shopping for a new one. It can also make a difference in how you or your broker or agent manages your sale or purchase.

 

Spring is the Busy Season

 

Hands down, spring is the busiest season to buy or sell a home. The weather is starting to warm up, but it is not so hot that people don’t want to get out and about. If anything, they are dying to get out of the house. However, this is also the season when your yard looks the worst because the snow just melted and revealed what was left after a long winter. Be sure to spruce things up a bit before you list your home.

 

January Starts Things Off

 

January doesn’t just start the new year, but is probably the best month to start making offers on homes. Most people are waiting for spring to arrive so they can get out and about in comfort. For a home buyer, this means that there is far less competition than there is going to be in a couple of months. For the home seller, it may bring some much needed relief after an expensive winter.

 

Tuesday and Thursday

 

Tuesday and Thursday have a special significance in the real estate world. The first Tuesday of the month is the day that many mortgage payments are due. That means it is a perfect day to make an offer on a house. The owner just made a payment that they really don’t care to make anymore, so they will be more inclined to accept and offer.

 

Thursday is the day to list a house. During the week, people are busy working and they may not have much time to patiently explore what’s for sale. Thursday posting will be listed as new listing over the weekend, so they are sure to get plenty of views.

 

New Jersey Real Estate TipsReal Estate Tips March 30, 2015

What’s the Difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Real Estate Broker?

What’s the Difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Real Estate Broker?

You’ve probably heard both terms before – real estate agent and real estate broker. Some people use them interchangeably, as if they mean the same thing. There is, however, more than meets the eye in the real estate world and you might be surprised to find that real estate agents and brokers aren’t the same.

Real Estate Professionals

There are actually several different terms that can be used to identify those working in real estate. The most common are real estate agent, REALTOR ®, real estate broker, real estate salesperson, and real estate associate broker.

A real estate agent is someone who has fulfilled the educational requirements set forth by his state in order to become a licensed to work in the business. The educational requirements vary from state to state but most require a minimum number of course hours as well as state-mandated examination.  A real estate agent may also be referred to as a real estate salesperson. A real estate agent who has become a professional member of the National Association of REALTORS ® may also call himself a REALTOR ®. Anyone who gives real estate advice must have a real estate license.

A real estate broker always starts out as a real estate agent but then takes additional classes and exams to earn a broker’s license. Each state has additional educational requirements for brokers.

So what’s the difference?

A real estate agent is allowed to give real estate advice and act as a salesperson, but he can’t work alone. He has to be employed by a broker or brokerage, who is then responsible for the agent’s actions and ethical values in sales. Some real estate agents pay a flat rate to the broker while others end up paying a percentage of their commissions or sales to the broker.

A real estate broker can work on his own or may start his own brokerage firm and begin working with other real estate agents.

More Confusing Terms

You’ll probably hear a few more terms while you look for an agent or broker:

  • A real estate associate broker is a broker who chooses to work as an agent for another broker.

  • Both an agent and a broker can use the REALTOR ® symbol, as it merely represents membership in the aforementioned organization.

  • A listing agent represents the seller while a buyer’s agent represents the buyer. Most agents can play both roles (not in the same transaction), but some agents prefer to choose one or the other as their career focus. These roles can be played by agents or brokers.

Confused? Don’t worry – a lot of people are. Make sure you talk to your real estate agent or broker about his role in your selling or buying process and question anything you’re not comfortable or clear about. It’s your right to understand the relationship and transparency is key to a successful sale (or purchase)!