Ed Sarfo - House-Hunting Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

Ed Sarfo has been in the real estate industry since 2004 and knows that buying a house can be an emotional process for some people. Allowing your emotions to get the best of you may cause you to fall prey to several mistakes homebuyers make. Ed Sarfo is an experienced professional who takes the time to advice his clients on what is best for them. Here are some common house-hunting mistakes you don’t want to make.

Choosing a House You Can’t Afford

One you find a house you like; it is very hard to go back. You then start imagining the things you want to do in the new house, and how to add things to your lawn, or to the kitchen. However, if you cannot afford the house, you will have to find something else you can afford. Avoid the temptation to go over your budget as it can cause serious problems with the payments later on. It is best to look at homes in your price range.

Assuming There is Nothing Better

Unless you are looking for custom homes, chances are that there are other homes available for sale. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that there is nothing better and jump at the first house you see. Take the time to browse through the listings your real estate agent shows you and look at a couple of houses before you settle on the one you like, and which fits your budget.

Being Desperate

If you have been looking for a suitable house for some time and have not found anything you like, don’t let your emotions get the better of you and become desperate. If you move into a house without being fully satisfied with it, you will have a hard time trying to sell it later. If you do, you will end up paying agent’s commission and closing costs on your mortgage for the new home. Do not make a decision just because you are desperate to get a new house.

Ed Sarfo is knowledgeable in both buying and selling homes and advises his clients on what’s best for them.

Source: ​http://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgage-real-estate/09/buy-house-emotion-free.asp
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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

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
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Ed Sarfo - Becoming a Real Estate Broker

For real estate brokers like Ed Sarfo, building a team of agents that reflect the core mentality of you and your company is important. Sarfo is the owner of Commonwealth Real Estate Professionals in Lexington, Kentucky and has spent much of his life dedicated to his studies and self-betterment. Born in Ghana and educated both in West Africa and Germany, he puts a great deal of emphases on his passion for his business and for those he works with both clients and colleagues.

Real estate brokers like Sarfo have gone through years of real estate experience as an agent as well as education and testing. Depending upon the state in which an agent resides, you may be required to have anywhere between one and three years working for a licensed broker helping him or her buy and sell properties under that license.

Although becoming a broker requires additional education and experience, many find the opportunity to be your own boss exciting. The prospect of making the decisions for your schedule and employing agents to help with the load is one that finds many agents putting in the extra effort to become licenses. However, Brokers are paid on commission, so your earnings would be a direct reflection of the quantity and quality of properties you choose to complete for clients.

Ed Sarfo is one of many successful brokers who realizes that the market will fluctuate from month to month based on a variety of factors, some of which are out of your control. Finding your niche in the market and building a successful company can help you navigate through the slower months and reap the benefits of hard work during months of higher volume transactions.
Sources: http://www.howtobecome.com/how-to-become-a-real-estate-broker

Ed Sarfo - Helping the Homeless

As a dedicated philanthropist, Ed Sarfo has made it his personal mission to help with a number of different causes. One endeavor he has taken up is helping the homeless of Lexington, Kentucky. He has been helping them by working closely with the Lexington, Kentucky Hope Center. This center is on a mission to help provide life-sustaining, and rebuilding services for the homeless. Ed has been working closely with the center, helping through volunteer work as well as monetary donations. The center is designed to help anyone that needs it. With dedicated staff members and a large pool of volunteers, they help the homeless become self-sufficient.

Ed Sarfo works closely with his church and the Lexington Hope Center in order to give back to those who need it. The center has a number of success stories that has encouraged many to use their facility. The Hope Center understands that sometimes people fall on hard times. That is why it is the mission of the center to help get those individuals back on track. The center’s website has a number of testimonials given by clients that have experienced success using their recovery and rehabilitation programs. The center has been a positive impact on a number of people’s lives.

Ed Sarfo enjoys spending time at the Hope Center, helping those who need it. He has invested a substantial amount of time and money into the center’s programs because he has seen their methods work. Between the church, the center, and contributors like Ed, problems like homelessness can be a thing of the past.

Learn more about the Hope Center by visiting: http://www.hopectr.org/
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Ed Sarfo - Requirements to Become a Realtor

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Realtors like Ed Sarfo know that it is a long road to make the transition from aspiring businessman, to licensed realtor. Ed began his career humbly, being born and raised in Ghana, West Africa. There he received a high school education from an American ministry school. At that school, his interest for business was peaked. Before he got into real estate however, he first studied chemistry in Germany. Eventually though, his true passion would lead him to America, and he would become a licensed realtor.

Becoming a realtor is something that requires a significant amount of dedication and determination. There are many different steps that need to be completed in the proper order. These requirements must be met before one is even allowed to take a licensing exam. That is why those interested in becoming a licensed realtor should expect to put in a significant time and financial investment.
Ed Sarfo and other realtors become licensed by going through rigorous education courses. In America, where Ed operates, every state requires a realtor to take pre-licensing courses. Though these requirements vary greatly depending on the state, none are simple. California requires three college-level courses.

Other states have an hourly requirement. Idaho for instance, requires two courses that add up to a total of 90 hours before one can become licensed. It is also important to note that different real estate agencies may have specific education requirements. So an aspiring broker should expect some additional educational courses even after he has been hired by an agency.

Successful realtors like Ed Sarfo did well in part because they had a strong start. An important aspect of becoming a real estate broker is to find the right firm. There are many agencies or offices available for a licensed realtor, but some are a better fit than others. Working with a broker is required in order to be a real estate agent, which is why a prospective agent should contact brokers before graduating from his training courses. Many brokers also include additional years of real estate training. That is why an aspiring real estate agent should contact many brokers before graduating to see which one he believes will give him the best chance to be successful. Some agents may be eager to get in the field, so they would choose a broker with less rigid training requirements. Other agents may value the training and benefit greatly from it, so they would choose a broker with a long and well-established training program.

Becoming a successful realtor like Ed Sarfo is something that takes a considerable amount of time and effort. Each decision an aspiring real estate agent makes will determine their success. That is why an agent should choose carefully the broker he works for, and the education he receives.

To learn more about requirements to become a realtor, visit:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/professionaleducation/10/6-steps-becoming-a-real-estate-agent.asp?performancelayout=true

http://www.realtor.org/realtororg.nsf/pages/AboutREALTORS

Ed Sarfo - The Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors

One of the things that makes Ed Sarfo stand out from other real estate brokers is his association with professional organizations. He is a member of many organizations, but the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors has proven to be one of his most valuable associations. That is because this community offers a wide range of services for the buyer, as well as the seller of properties.

The LBAR is really a network of qualified professionals that help use their combined experience and connections in order to get buyers and sellers negotiating with each other. The LBAR does not just help link buyers and sellers however, the organization also has their own unique and well-established community. Many realtors in the Lexington area turn to LBAR for help, as it is a reliable and comprehensive resource.

Part of the reason that Ed Sarfo joined the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors is because of their unique community. LBAR connects a number of different professionals and affiliates that could be a useful service for a realtor.

These connected professionals include: builders and developers, attorneys, advertisers, floor covering & installation, gutter contractors, inspectors, lenders, locksmiths, moving & storage, pressure washing, roof & window cleaning, security companies, staging & decorating, thermal imaging, and much more. LBAR has an established community of connected and reliable professionals that realtors often use when building or renovating on a property. LBAR is a valuable resource that a good number of professional realtors turn to in order to find useful services at competitive prices.

Another reason that Ed Sarfo finds the Lexington-Bluegrass Association of Realtors to be such a useful resource, is that they help to educate real estate agents. LBAR offers unique classes for realtors that are updated monthly. While the classes the association hosts are available to non-members, a special registration form must be filled out for those who are not active participants and members of the association.

New members of the LBAR are also required to take a class before they are graduated to a full membership status. Once someone becomes a member however, they have unlimited access to a wide wealth of classes and programs aimed at educating realtors and improving their professional abilities. These classes are hosted by a number of experienced and successful real estate agents and brokers that want to share their story and strategies. The education offered is why many realtors operating in the area find the LBAR an indispensable resource.

Ed Sarfo has experienced much success in the real estate industry over the course of his career. His success was achieved through a combination of diligence, passion, a good education, and a strong work ethic. He has also done well by utilizing valuable resources such as LBAR in order to further his understanding of the real estate industry.

Ed Sarfo - Ways to Stage Your Home for Cheap

Selling your home is a big decision and you want to get the most for it that you can. Ed Sarfo is a ten-year veteran real estate broker who offers clients tips on how they can get the biggest value for their home with some inexpensive tips. You can look into hiring a professional home stager but with an hourly cost of $50 to $150, you may want to roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself.

1. Depersonalize your house. This is the easiest and cheapest tip, and can have a big impact on how many buyers put in offers. By putting away all of the personal touches in your home like family photos, memorabilia, children’s drawings, etc. the buyer is able to picture their things in your house. Pictures are often a source of distraction and buyers will often stop and look at the people in them instead of focusing on the house’s features.
2. Neutralize rooms. Giving the rooms in your house a fresh coat of a neutral paint will help attract buyers. Although you may love your daughter’s pink bedroom, many buyers don’t want a room fit for Barbie. This is a fairly low cost option, with the paint and necessary supplies only costing around $100 and could help to up your chances of an offer.
3. Give it a purpose. Giving each room in your home a distinct purpose will help buyers understand all the possibilities the home has. If they don’t know what the space is “supposed” to be, they will see it as wasted space. Visit some model homes in your area to get ideas on how to rearrange furniture and make easy changes to do this.

Ed Sarfo has seen great results for clients that make easy and inexpensive changes in order to stage their homes. It often leads to more offers and can even result in a bidding war, driving the price of the house up.
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Ed Sarfo: Tips on Choosing the Right Real Estate Broker/Realtor

Ed Sarfo is a real estate broker/realtor with over 10 years of experience helping clients in the Lexington area. He believes in honesty and integrity and will often counsel people on how to choose the right broker for their needs. It is important to find the right person to help you sell or buy your next home or property. Following a few pieces of advice will help you make the right decision. 

1. Talk to previous clients. You can ask a perspective agent what properties they have worked with in the past year and contact information for the clients. Ask their clients what they liked or disliked about the broker and if they would recommend hiring them. Don’t forget to consider things like the time it takes for the agent to contact the client back and how many options they offered them.
2. Check their license records. State have regulatory boards that look after all the certified real estate agents. They will issue disciplinary actions and deal with complaints from clients. This information can be found by contacting your state’s board and may be listed online.
3.  Look at how they work. With technology taking charge of the real estate seek, most people looking to buy a home turn to the internet to start their search. Make sure your perspective agent is actively utilizing all the resources possible in order to attract the most interest possible. Make note of any unique advertising or marketing techniques they may use and the variety of ways they drum up interest. You can do this by looking at their other listings and researching the methods they used to promote them.  

Ed Sarfo is a successful real estate broker and loves what he does. He understands the importance of building trust with perspective clients.

Ed Sarfo - How to Work in the Real Estate Field in Kentucky

Ed Sarfo has been in the real estate field since 2004 as a real estate broker. He loves serving his clients and assisting them in selling or buying their homes and properties. Ed Sarfo decided to become an agent because he is a people person and likes to help his clients to make the best decisions possible.

Deciding to start a career in real estate is a big decision that should be considered carefully. You should understand the process it takes to become an agent and the level of difficulty. Although each state has its own rules for earning a real estate license, there are some general requirements that can be followed to see if you are interested in pursuing a career in the field.

First, you must be at least 18 years old or 19 years old in some states. You must also hold legal United States residency. The last and most difficult steps are completing the required pre-license education, which will vary by state, and pass the state real estate exam in order to obtain your license. In Kentucky there are two different real estate licenses, a sales associate license and a broker license.

In order to become a sales associate you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. You must also successfully complete six credit hours from an accredited university or college or 96 hours of classroom hours from an approved real estate course. If you are planning on being licensed in another state or already are, you must provide a license certification from the state(s) with your application.
If you want to be a broker in the state of Kentucky, the requirements are slightly more difficult.

 Just like with a sales associate you must be 18, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete course work, and attach other licenses to your application. But you have to complete 12 credit hours or 336 classroom hours from an approved real estate course, which is double or more of the amount needed to be a sales associate. You must also pass a criminal background check and be actively engaged in the real estate business for at least 20 hours per week during a two-year period in order to maintain your license.

Because of the increased requirements of a broker, they are able to work independently and can represent others or own or manage a real estate firm. A sales associate must work under the direction and sponsorship of a licensed broker.

As a certified real estate broker, Ed Sarfo is able to help sales associates. His goal as the Principal Broker at Commonwealth Real Estate Professionals is to double the amount of agents from 5 to 10. Ed Sarfo works tirelessly to help achieve his goals in the profession he loves.

Ed Sarfo - Two Reasons Many Real Estate Agents Flame Out

Working as a real estate agent is more difficult than many people think. Some become real estate agents because they see easy money being made by others in the industry. In reality, successful real estate agents make money because of many hours spent coordinating open houses, setting up meetings, talking with clients, and working on closing their sales. Many times, even if the agent sells the property, the buyers or the sellers could back out with no notice, or some other technicality could get in the way. Even if everything goes right, many real estate agents don’t get their first commission until six months have passed. The most skilled real estate agents deal with these issues throughout their careers. When you’re first starting out as a real estate agent, here are two ways to fail:

• You don’t have a plan. Real estate agents are a kind of small business owner. If you don’t start your business with a plan, you’ll be doomed to failure. Start with a plan for how you are going to succeed, and stick to it as you build relationships and networks. Coming from a strong plan will eliminate problems before they affect your bottom line.
• You rely too much on technology. Staying in contact through social media, email, and phone is essential for a real estate agent, but don’t let your smart phone distract you from your meetings with clients and others.

Ed Sarfo has been a real estate principal broker in Lexington, Kentucky over 8 years, and has built his network out of trust and an excellent work ethic.

Recommended Read :- Ed Sarfo Shares Crucial Tips on Buying the Right Home

How to Succeed Selling Real Estate - Ed Sarfo

Selling real estate can be a very profitable career for many people. Some people are so encouraged by others’ successes that they enter the real estate profession with little experience or sense of direction. Many people want to “try” real estate as a profession. When many job coaches and other such professionals hear this, they see a lack of commitment. “Trying” real estate usually doesn’t translate into long-term success. Professional real estate agents spend years working the floor, organizing open houses for other agents, and working every day to build their client base and sell properties. Entering the real estate market as an agent requires a full-time commitment in order to be successful. 

If you can’t commit to real estate as your profession, don’t waste your time. Many people think that they can work part time as a real estate agent to make some money on the side. While some people are successful at this, most find that working successfully in real estate requires full time hours and constant network building outside of normal working hours. Many in real estate focus too much on the results and not on what it takes to achieve those results. Real estate agents are similar to authors. Everyone wants a best-seller, but no one wants to write one. 

Ed Sarfo is a dedicated and skilled real estate principal broker based in Lexington, Kentucky. Sarfo developed his skills and personal relationships over many years of living and working in the area. He plans to continue his work getting people the best real estate options he can. 

 Recommended Read - Ed Sarfo – How to be a Real Estate Agent

Ed Sarfo - Real Estate Professional

Ed Sarfo is a dedicated real estate professional in Lexington,Kentucky. He grew up in Ghana - West Africa. From the moment Ed set foot at an American Baptist Missionary high school in his native country, he dreamt of living and working in the United States. Ever so grateful for being able to live that dream; he strives to build meaningful, professional and personal relationships with his clients. Helping and counseling his clients to make the best decisions in the real estate marketplace is his passion. read more about Ed Sarfo @  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:EdSarfo

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