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"MLSResource.com has made it easy to have my dream home become a reality!" Erin Hyndman - Seattle, WA.
"It was amazing how fast I sold my home with MLSResource.com!" Rick Devinutti - San Diego, CA. |
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Find an Agent to Sell Your Home - This free service will help you potentially save thousands. Find the best real estate agent for the lowest commission rate. Prescreened professionals who will help you sell your house fast with no hassles.
Find an Agent to Help You Buy a Home - Use this free service when you need help with purchasing a home. Prescreened agents will help you find your new home quickly, and will help in making the process easy.
Find an Agent to Buy and Sell a Home - Selling your home and looking to buy a new home? Use this free service to combine the expertise of our prescreened professional agents. Make the process simple and save thousands on real estate commissions.
Find an Agent for a FREE Home Valuation - Need to know what your home is worth? Our local professionals will do a complex market analysis to determine the fair market value of your home. Make sure you get what your home is worth.
Real Estate Agent Services
MLSResource.com offers real estate services through our partnership with HomeGain, Inc. View home listings, find professional real estate agents to help you buy or sell a home, and compare mortgage rates. Home listings include single family homes, multi family homes, townhomes for sale, condos, undeveloped property and more. Save thousands on each of these services by comparing commission and/or mortgage rates. Fill out a form today, or use the links above to view listings in your area.
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REALTOR.com offers several services including help in finding a home, rental properties or apartments, finance help, senior housing, home and garden help, and help in making your move easier.
Established in 1999, REALTOR.com Inc. is a leading supplier of media and technology solutions that promote and connect Real Estate Professionals to consumers before, during and after a move. At the heart of the company is the Homestore NetworkTM, the largest and most comprehensive family of Web sites devoted exclusively to home and real estate-related content. Homestore operates REALTOR.com, the official site of the National Association of REALTORS; HomeBuilder.com, the official new homes site of the National Association of Home Builders; RENTNET , an apartments, senior housing, corporate housing and self-storage resource; and Homestore.com, a home-related information destination with a mortgage financing emphasis. Across the country, over 800 Multiple Listing Services (MLS) send their listing information and photos to REALTOR.com. The MLS's get their information from local brokers. How frequently the MLS's send data varies from MLS to MLS. Most update on a daily basis, but a few update less frequently. Questions about a particular listing should be directed to the listing agent. Only brokers can submit listings to REALTOR.com through their local MLS. Listing information and photos on REALTOR.com can only be changed by the broker who owns the listing. Listing agents can change the information that appears on REALTOR.com by changing the MLS data, which is automatically sent to REALTOR.com. Brokers who subscribe to REALTOR.com can change the information directly on REALTOR.com, as well as submit additional information, photos, virtual tours, and open house schedules. As you search for a home on REALTOR.com, there is a page called Property Types/Nearby Areas. On this page you can indicate the type of property you are looking for, whether it's single-family homes, condos, land, or multi-family homes. If there are no listings for a given property type in the area you are searching, the option will not appear on the Property Types/Nearby Areas page. Realtor.com Specialty Services Realtor.com offers several specialty services. For example, you may find appraisal services, auction information, commercial real estate aid, as well as some of the following institutes/organizations: - Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute - Certified International Property Specialist Network - Counselors of Real Estate - Institute of Real Estate Management - Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers - Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council - Realtors Land Institute - Realtor.com's Resort Specialist - Women's Council of Realtors By visiting Realtor.com, you may also use links to visit Realtor Magazine Online and read about current Realtor.com press releases. When it comes time for you to sell or buy a home or property, or you are just curious about the industry, the wealth of knowledge at Realtor.com is unmatched on the web. Visit REALTOR.com yourself to take advantage of all of the useful features. Compare to MyHomePlans.com Realtor.com services are very broad and comprehensive. They offer tools for both real estate professionals and individuals in search of properties. The site is built for both education and expedited searches. The real estate professional portion of this site actually links to Realtor.org, which is the official site of the National Association of Realtors. Realtor.com is designed to educate individuals on all aspects of home buying and searching. MyHomePlans.com is designed for those individuals that are familiar enough in the real estate industry to quickly search for home listings, search for real estate professionals, quickly apply for a loan, search foreclosure listings, search for rentals, search for local contractors or list their home by owner. Unlike Realtor.com, MyHomePlans.com does not focus on the education but on the quick links to let individuals quickly get to what they are searching for. In the event that there are questions or that an individual does need to learn more, MyHomePlans.com is available to answer questions using our "Contact Us" button. In addition, we frequently guide our users looking for more information to www.Realtor.com. Lastly, Realtor.com offers a few more services slightly outside the scope of the real estate industry such as links to moving services and a home and garden area that allows you not only to take care of your home, but to also find contractors to help where helps is needed. For any additional questions or help, please contact us using the "Contact Us" button at the top of this page.
Today's Top Real Estate News Real estate brokers and sales agents often work evenings and weekends and usually are on call to suit the needs of clients. A license is required in every State and the District of Columbia. Although gaining a job may be relatively easy, beginning workers may face competition from well-established, more experienced agents and brokers in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Employment is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates; during periods of declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resulting demand for sales workers fall. One of the most complex and significant financial events in peoples’ lives is the purchase or sale of a home or investment property. Because of this complexity and significance, people typically seek the help of real estate brokers and sales agents when buying or selling real estate. Realtor.com Real estate brokers and sales agents have a thorough knowledge of the real estate market in their communities. They know which neighborhoods will best fit clients’ needs and budgets. They are familiar with local zoning and tax laws and know where to obtain financing. Agents and brokers also act as intermediaries in price negotiations between buyers and sellers. Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agent’s sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell real estate owned by others; they also may rent or manage properties for a fee. When selling real estate, brokers arrange for title searches and for meetings between buyers and sellers during which the details of the transactions are agreed upon and the new owners take possession of the property. A broker may help to arrange favorable financing from a lender for the prospective buyer; often, this makes the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. In some cases, brokers and agents assume primary responsibility for closing sales; in others, lawyers or lenders do. Brokers supervise agents who may have many of the same job duties. Brokers also supervise their own offices, advertise properties, and handle other business matters. Some combine other types of work, such as selling insurance or practicing law, with their real estate business. Besides making sales, agents and brokers must have properties to sell. Consequently, they spend a significant amount of time obtaining listings—agreements by owners to place properties for sale with the firm. When listing a property for sale, agents and brokers compare the listed property with similar properties that recently sold, in order to determine a competitive market price for the property. Once the property is sold, both the agent who sold it and the agent who obtained the listing receive a portion of the commission. Thus, agents who sell a property that they themselves have listed can increase their commission. Most real estate brokers and sales agents sell residential property. A small number—usually employed in large or specialized firms—sell commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other types of real estate. Every specialty requires knowledge of that particular type of property and clientele. Selling or leasing business property requires an understanding of leasing practices, business trends, and the location of the property. Agents who sell or lease industrial properties must know about the region’s transportation, utilities, and labor supply. Whatever the type of property, the agent or broker must know how to meet the client’s particular requirements. Realtor.com Before showing residential properties to potential buyers, agents meet with them to get a feeling for the type of home the buyers would like. In this prequalifying phase, the agent determines how much the buyers can afford to spend. In addition, the agent and the buyer usually sign a loyalty contract which states that the agent will be the only one to show houses to buyers. An agent or broker then generates lists of properties for sale, their location and description, and available sources of financing. In some cases, agents and brokers use computers to give buyers a virtual tour of properties in which they are interested. With a computer, buyers can view interior and exterior images or floor plans without leaving the real estate office. Agents may meet several times with prospective buyers to discuss and visit available properties. Agents identify and emphasize the most pertinent selling points. To a young family looking for a house, they may emphasize the convenient floor plan, the area’s low crime rate, and the proximity to schools and shopping centers. To a potential investor, they may point out the tax advantages of owning a rental property and the ease of finding a renter. If bargaining over price becomes necessary, agents must follow their client’s instructions carefully and may have to present counteroffers in order to get the best possible price. Once both parties have signed the contract, the real estate broker or agent must make sure that all special terms of the contract are met before the closing date. For example, the agent must make sure that the mandated and agreed-upon inspections, including that of the home and termite and radon inspections, take place. Also, if the seller agrees to any repairs, the broker or agent must see that they are made. Increasingly, brokers and agents are handling environmental problems as well, by making sure that the properties they sell meet environmental regulations. For example, they may be responsible for dealing with lead paint on the walls. While loan officers, attorneys, or other persons handle many details, the agent must ensure that they are carried out.Realtor.com In every State and the District of Columbia, real estate brokers and sales agents must be licensed. Prospective agents must be high school graduates, be at least 18 years old, and pass a written test. The examination—more comprehensive for brokers than for agents—includes questions on basic real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. Most States require candidates for the general sales license to complete between 30 and 90 hours of classroom instruction. Those seeking a broker’s license need between 60 and 90 hours of formal training and a specific amount of experience selling real estate, usually 1 to 3 years. Some States waive the experience requirements for the broker’s license for applicants who have a bachelor’s degree in real estate. State licenses typically must be renewed every 1 or 2 years; usually, no examination needs to be taken. However, many States require continuing education for license renewals. Prospective agents and brokers should contact the real estate licensing commission of the State in which they wish to work in order to verify the exact licensing requirements. As real estate transactions have become more legally complex, many firms have turned to college graduates to fill positions. A large number of agents and brokers have some college training. College courses in real estate, finance, business administration, statistics, economics, law, and English are helpful. For those who intend to start their own company, business courses such as marketing and accounting are as significant as courses in real estate or finance. Personality traits are equally as important as one’s academic background. Brokers look for applicants who possess a pleasant personality, are honest, and present a neat appearance. Maturity, good judgment, trustworthiness, and enthusiasm for the job are required in order to encourage prospective customers in this highly competitive field. Agents should be well organized, be detail oriented, and have a good memory for names, faces, and business particulars. Those interested in jobs as real estate agents often begin in their own communities. Their knowledge of local neighborhoods is a clear advantage. Under the direction of an experienced agent, beginners learn the practical aspects of the job, including the use of computers to locate or list available properties and identify sources of financing. Realtor.com Many firms offer formal training programs for both beginners and experienced agents. Larger firms usually offer more extensive programs than smaller firms. More than a thousand universities, colleges, and junior colleges offer courses in real estate. At some, a student can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree with a major in real estate; several offer advanced degrees. Many local real estate associations that are members of the National Association of Realtors sponsor courses covering the fundamentals and legal aspects of the field. Advanced courses in mortgage financing, property development and management, and other subjects also are available. Advancement opportunities for agents may take the form of higher rates of commission. As agents gain knowledge and expertise, they become more efficient in closing a greater number of transactions and increase their earnings. In many large firms, experienced agents can advance to sales manager or general manager. Persons who have received their broker’s license may open their own offices. Others with experience and training in estimating property value may become real estate appraisers, and people familiar with operating and maintaining rental properties may become property managers. (See the Handbook statements on property, real estate, and community association managers; and appraisers and assessors of real estate.) Experienced agents and brokers with a thorough knowledge of business conditions and property values in their localities may enter mortgage financing or real estate investment counseling. In 2004, real estate brokers and sales agents held about 460,000 jobs; real estate sales agents held approximately 24 percent of these jobs. Many worked part time, combining their real estate activities with other careers. About 6 out of 10 real estate agents and brokers were self-employed. Real estate is sold in all areas, but employment is concentrated in large urban areas and in rapidly growing communities. Realtor.com Most real estate firms are relatively small; indeed, some are one-person businesses. By contrast, some large real estate firms have several hundred agents operating out of numerous branch offices. Many brokers have franchise agreements with national or regional real estate organizations. Under this type of arrangement, the broker pays a fee in exchange for the privilege of using the more widely known name of the parent organization. Although franchised brokers often receive help in training sales staff and running their offices, they bear the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of their firms. Real estate brokers and sales agents are older, on average, than most other workers. Historically, many homemakers and retired persons were attracted to real estate sales by the flexible and part-time work schedules characteristic of the field. These individuals could enter, leave, and later return to the occupation, depending on the strength of the real estate market, their family responsibilities, or other personal circumstances. Recently, however, the attractiveness of part-time real estate work has declined, as increasingly complex legal and technological requirements are raising startup costs associated with becoming an agent. Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014, because of the increasing housing needs of a growing population, as well as the perception that real estate is a good investment. Relatively low interest rates should continue to stimulate sales of real estate, resulting in the need for more agents and brokers. In addition, a large number of job openings will arise each year from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. However, job growth will be somewhat limited by the increasing use of technology, which is improving the productivity of agents and brokers. For example, prospective customers often can perform their own searches for properties that meet their criteria by accessing real estate information on the Internet. The increasing use of technology is likely to be more detrimental to part-time or temporary real estate agents than to full-time agents, because part-time agents generally are not able to compete with full-time agents who have invested in new technology. Changing legal requirements, such as disclosure laws, also may dissuade some who are not serious about practicing full time from continuing to work part time. This occupation is relatively easy to enter and is attractive because of its flexible working conditions; the high interest in, and familiarity with, local real estate markets that entrants often have; and the potential for high earnings. Therefore, although gaining a job as a real estate agent or broker may be relatively easy, beginning agents and brokers may face competition from their well-established, more experienced counterparts in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Well-trained, ambitious people who enjoy selling—particularly those with extensive social and business connections in their communities—should have the best chance for success. Realtor.com Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents often is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates. During periods of declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resulting demand for sales workers falls. As a result, the earnings of agents and brokers decline, and many work fewer hours or leave the occupation altogether. The median annual earnings of salaried real estate sales agents, including commissions, were $35,670 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,500 and $58,110 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,770. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of real estate sales agents in May 2004 were as follows: Residential building construction $54,770 Offices of real estate agents and brokers 37,970 Activities related to real estate 32,460 Lessors of real estate 25,840 Median annual earnings of salaried real estate brokers, including commission, were $58,720 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,480 and $99,820 a year. Median annual earning of real estate brokers were $61,550 in offices of real estate agents and brokers and $44,920 in activities related to real estate. Commissions on sales are the main source of earnings of real estate agents and brokers. The rate of commission varies according to whatever the agent and broker agree on, the type of property, and its value. The percentage paid on the sale of farm and commercial properties or unimproved land is typically higher than the percentage paid for selling a home. Commissions may be divided among several agents and brokers. When the property is sold, the broker or agent who obtained the listing usually shares the commission with the broker or agent who made the sale and with the firm that employs each of them. Although an agent’s share varies greatly from one firm to another, often it is about half of the total amount received by the firm. Agents who both list and sell a property maximize their commission. Income usually increases as an agent gains experience, but individual motivation, economic conditions, and the type and location of the property also affect earnings. Sales workers who are active in community organizations and in local real estate associations can broaden their contacts and increase their earnings. A beginner’s earnings often are irregular, because a few weeks or even months may go by without a sale. Although some brokers allow an agent to draw against future earnings from a special account, the practice is not common with new employees. The beginner, therefore, should have enough money to live for about 6 months or until commissions increase. Realtor.com
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