Thursday 31 March 2016

Ed Sarfo - What to Look For When Choosing a Real Estate Agent

Ed Sarfo is an experienced realtor, living and working in Lexington, Kentucky. Finding the right real estate agent to buy or sell your property is an important step that you will have to carefully take. Many real estate agents are independent contractors who get paid a commission based on the number of deals (house sales) they close. The commission they receive (from the sales proceeds) is normally split two ways, between the selling agent and the listing agent. Ed Sarfo shares a couple of tips on what to look out for when choosing a real estate agent.

Agent Suggest the Highest Price for Your Property

If you are selling your house, you might want to get listing presentations from more than one real estate agent. This will give you an idea of what comparable homes have been sold and how long it could take to see your house. The data the agents use is the same, so the price they suggest should be along the same lines. If your house is priced too high, it will take longer to sell, and will eventually sell for less. If your property sits for a long time on the market, it will give potential buyers the impression that something is wrong with it.

Part-Time or Full-Time Agent

Whether you are seeking to sell or buy property, you want to choose an agent who is actively following the real estate market every day. If you are selling your property, you will need to have an agent who is always available to show your property to prospective clients. On the other hand, if you are looking to buy property, your agent should be able to show you the latest listings immediately.

Local Agent

When looking for a property to buy or sell, it is important that you choose an agent who knows the real estate landscape in your neighborhood. Sometimes, the difference in moving a block up or down can result in raising or lowering the value of a house by $100,000. An agent who specializes in a particular neighborhood might be able to get what you are looking for, even if the property is not yet listed on the market.

Low Commission

Most real estate agents charge anywhere between five and seven percent, which is then split between the selling agent and the listing agent. If the commission on your property is lower than the normal rate, you might get very few agents who will want to show it to potential clients. However, that does not mean you cannot find an agent and negotiate a lower commission for the house.

Ed Sarfo has been a licensed real estate agent in Lexington, Kentucky since 2004.

Source: http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/11/07/9-red-flags-to-watch-for-when-picking-a-real-estate-agent

Wednesday 9 March 2016

Ed Sarfo -Business Values Matter – Finding Success with Integrity

For many professions that require licenses or certifications, there are required courses or material that focus on business ethics. For business owner Ed Sarfo, founding his company based on principles that he adheres to in everyday life is an important aspect of conducting transactions that leave clients happy and Sarfo feeling good each day.

Creating a company that values integrity in business practices is essential for success and growth. Although there are businesses that focus more on the bottom line that still see success, they are often left with disgruntled customers and employees who would rather take their time, money, or talent elsewhere. For small businesses such as Sarfo's, making a good impression on his community is paramount to growth and repeat customers in the real estate market. He believes in providing the best experience for all parties involved in his transactions and has hand-picked agents for his company with the same beliefs and values. This aspect of a company, finding the right employees, is one of the most important as they are the face of the company. If their actions do not reflect the values you wish to portray to your customers and clients, you could be facing problems in the future with a poor image.

Business owners such as Ed Sarfo take the time to be involved in his company's transactions and provide hands-on experience to help ensure the work is done smoothly. He is able to delegate to trusted agents in his company because he selected them based on their performance, skills, and values. Staying abreast of the inner workings of your business and employee interactions will keep you a step ahead as you climb to the top of your industry.

Wednesday 2 March 2016

Ed Sarfo - Knowing the Real Estate Market

The real estate market can be a tricky animal to tame. For successful brokers like Ed Sarfo, learning the trade comes from years of experience and passion for the field along with education and a genuine desire to help clients and the community.

For agents and brokers alike, learning to anticipate fluctuations in the market takes time and skill. There are several things you can do to help put yourself ahead of the curve and keep from feeling overwhelmed or blindsided when an influx or properties present themselves or you find opportunities at a lull.

Those who find success in real estate know the area. They have studied local pricing and have an idea of which properties are increasing in value at a higher rate as well as how long these properties generally take to sell. Finding similar properties in a particular area and seeing trends in the sales is an excellent way to have an idea of what to expect and how to best prioritize your time and effort.

Look for up and coming opportunities. Are there locations that may not seem the most desirable at first glance but have potential? Are there areas that are growing due to location or seeing a rise in construction and infrastructure? Being ahead of the curve in these areas can set you apart from other realtors and give you an edge with your clients in finding the ideal properties. Real estate professionals like Ed Sarfo know the business. They have a great passion for making their clients happy and find joy in locating the perfect match for buyers and sellers alike.

Sources: http://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/07/five-real-estate-tricks.asp