Why Work With an Agent When Buying a Home in Bellflower, CA

Bellflower real estate has plenty to offer buyers in search of quality homes and close-knit communities. Working with the right agent will help you find the right property in the right neighborhood. Here’s why you should work with an established agent in Bellflower.

The qualifications of a real estate agent in California

An agent is a trained and licensed professional who facilitates real estate transactions and represents buyers, sellers, and investors in negotiations to earn a commission, or a percentage of the sales price.

 

In California, real estate agents must meet the following requirements:

1. Pre-licensing coursework – Aspiring agents must complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education, which includes three foundational courses:
• Real Estate Principles (45 hours)
• Real Estate Finance (45 hours)
• Real Estate Practices (45 hours)
2. Final exam – Applicants must pass the final exam with a score of at least 70% after completing their coursework. They can make two attempts to pass each final exam. 
3. California salesperson licensing exam –  After the final exam, applicants must pass the California licensing exam, a three-hour and 15-minute exam with 150 questions and a minimum passing score of 70%.
4. Licensing application – Applicants who have not yet filed a License Combo Application will be sent a form called Salesperson License Application (RE 202), which needs to be submitted along with fingerprint requirements and corresponding fees within one year of passing the exams in order to obtain their license. 

   Aspiring agents must also submit evidence of completion of the relevant coursework before their license is issued. Out-of-state applicants are required to submit additional paperwork, such as a notarized copy of Consent to Service of Process (RE 234).

5. Sponsoring Broker – Aspiring agents must be sponsored by an active California real estate broker. 

In other words, agents undergo rigorous training and education in order to qualify for a license. This equips them with the skills needed to help clients navigate the complexities of buying and selling Bellflower real estate in a dynamic market. 

The responsibilities of a real estate agent

Under California law, agents and brokers owe a number of fiduciary duties to their clients. It’s important for buyers and sellers to know their rights before entering into a real estate contract with an agent. Agents must observe honesty, fairness, and full disclosure in their dealings with clients at all times. 

These fiduciary duties include:

• An agent must honor their clients’ requests and instructions with due diligence, utmost skill, and reasonable care.
• They must not act adversely toward their client, which means that their services should benefit the clients in matters related to the transaction. 
• They must avoid commingling their finances, business interests, or property with those of their clients. 
• They must explain the legal impact of documents and processes, and may refer clients to a real estate attorney for advice.
• An agent must disclose all material facts that may affect the value of the property as well as clients’ purchasing decisions, such as known defects with the property and so on.
• They must maintain confidentiality and protect all information that they’ve acquired during the course of the contract.

In California, brokers are allowed to act as a dual agent if all parties are fully aware of the arrangement and give their consent. Dual agency is an arrangement in which both buyer and seller are represented by a single agent, or agents under the same broker, in the transaction. In this case, the broker must disclose that they’re serving as a dual agent and act in good faith. 

Buyer representation

When acting as a buyer’s agent, a real estate professional is responsible for the following tasks:

• Helping clients find and purchase suitable properties – The agent must identify and present listings that match clients’ needs and preferences. They are also in charge of negotiating the sales contract and guiding clients through the homebuying process.
• Conducting market research and analysis – Agents stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in Bellflower real estate. This entails researching comparable properties and recent sales in the area as well as collecting relevant market data to help buyers make informed decisions.
• Making a strong offer – Once the client finds a home that suits their needs, the agent will help them make a strong offer to persuade the seller. The agent will advise the client how much to offer and whether there are contingencies that they should or shouldn’t waive when offering to purchase a home. 
• Negotiating the sales contract – The agent helps buyers reach a mutually beneficial agreement with sellers during negotiations. They act as a buffer between the two parties to minimize conflict. They also draft purchase agreements that cover the terms and conditions of the sale.
• Managing paperwork and documentation – The agent stays on top of documentation by managing and organizing a significant amount of paperwork, including sales contracts, disclosures, and other legal documents that are crucial to the transaction. They make sure that all the paperwork is complete and duly accomplished. They also make sure that the buyer understands all the terms and stipulations of the contracts that they’re signing. 
• Ensuring compliance with legal requirements – Agents are expected to comply with all applicable state and federal laws, including disclosure and fair housing laws.
• Building long-term relationships with clients – The best agents maintain lasting relationships with clients long after the sales contract gets signed. They stay in touch with clients after the transaction has been completed, generating repeat business and referrals.

Seller representation

When acting as a listing agent or seller’s representative, agents have the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Advising sellers on pricing – A real estate agent helps clients determine the best price range when listing their property based on recent comparable sales data and current market conditions. They will also factor home improvements and upgrades into the asking price for the property.
• Listing properties – Agents are in charge of creating marketing materials for the seller’s property. These include real estate photos, videos, and listing descriptions. After producing marketing collateral, they will list the property on the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) or their own website to attract potential buyers. Many real estate companies have in-house marketers to help agents promote listings. 
• Offering suggestions on staging and improvements – When getting a home ready to sell, an agent can make recommendations on improvements and staging to make the property more desirable to potential buyers. They may also refer the seller to contractors, suppliers, and home staging experts to get the home ready for a sale. 
• Organizing open houses – Real estate agents schedule and coordinate open houses when the property is ready to show. They will make recommendations on how to best present the property to potential buyers. They will also be present during home viewings, walking guests through the property and answering any questions they might have. 
• Observing compliance with disclosure requirements – The agent will make sure that all the necessary disclosures are made about any known and material defects in the home, protecting sellers from potential legal action during and after the home selling process. 

The qualities of a good real estate agent

Not all real estate agents are created equal. When buying Bellflower real estate, it’s important to work with an agent who shares your values and has your best interests in mind. Some traits and qualities to look for in a real estate agent include:

• Grit – Real estate is an ever-evolving industry with plenty of ups and downs. Agents must have grit and tenacity in order to thrive. Further, agents are responsible for generating their own income. The best agents are capable of generating repeat business and referrals through exceptional service.  
• Availability – In most cases, it’s preferable to work with a full-time agent who can provide round the clock service. Part-time agents who work other jobs may not have the same availability, compromising the quality of their work as well as the results of the transaction. A good agent will make themselves available to clients regardless of other professional and personal obligations.  
• Responsiveness – Agents should ideally maintain an open line of communication and return messages within a reasonable timeframe, especially if you have urgent concerns about the transaction. Moreover, a good agent is proactive when it comes to communicating any developments in the buying process. 
• Transparency – Aside from being communicative, agents should be transparent about any setbacks or issues to keep them from getting out of hand. As a client, you have the right to know about any important developments in the transaction. 
• Professionalism – An agent must maintain their composure and professional boundaries no matter how stressful the situation gets. They must maintain objective distance and help clients make sound decisions when emotions run high.   
• Self-improvement – A good agent never stops learning. Even the most experienced agents will continue to take classes to refresh their skills set and update their knowledge of the housing market.  

How to choose the best real estate agent

Now that you know what to look for in an agent, here’s how to go about the selection process:

Interview a variety of agents – When searching for real estate agents online, set up a virtual or face-to-face consultation with two to three agents who serve the Bellflower area. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions, get a feel for their communication style, and gauge their knowledge of the housing market. 

Pick a brokerage with local knowledge – When shopping around for an agent, choose someone with local knowledge of the city and its neighborhoods. Likewise, it’s important to work with an agent with knowledge of your desired price range. This will make it easier for them to provide information on listings, lenders, homeowners associations, schools, restaurants, employers, and more. 

Cross-check agent reviews and referrals – It’s fairly easy to find reviews online. You can take it a step further by verifying their reviews and making sure that all of their referrals check out. Don’t hesitate to reach out to previous clients who can potentially provide valuable insight into the agent’s capabilities, personality, and working style. 

Questions to ask a real estate agent

Here are some helpful questions you should ask a real estate agent during the consultation:

• How long have you been working as a real estate agent in Bellflower and the surrounding areas?

  The real estate agent should have substantial knowledge of Bellflower real estate with several years of professional experience. If they have just recently received their license, find out how much experience their sponsoring broker has to make sure that they have proper guidance and support.

• What property types and neighborhoods in Bellflower do you specialize in?
  Measure their knowledge of the local housing market by inquiring about their types of property they usually handle as well as the neighborhoods and communities in which they’ve helped buyers find homes. 

• Can you provide references from past clients who have successfully purchased a home with you in Bellflower?

  A reputable agent won’t hesitate to get you in touch with previous clients who can vouch for their service and character.

   
• Can you walk me through the process of buying a home in Bellflower? What should I expect?

  A knowledgeable agent will readily answer any questions you may have about the buying process. They should be able to explain each step of the process into plain and simple terms.

• What are some common challenges that homebuyers face in today’s market?

  This question will help you determine whether or not the agent is in touch with the realities of buying a home in Bellflower. They should be able to address common issues such as financing, interest rates, inventory, and more.

   
• What types of homes are available within my price range? Assuming you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage and given a rough estimate of your purchasing power, you can ask a prospective agent about your options in the market. A resourceful agent should be able to present listings and neighborhoods within your price range. 
• Can you name any schools, parks, shops, and other amenities in the neighborhoods I’m considering?

  A local expert has first-hand knowledge of the best schools, shops, restaurants, and attractions in the Bellflower area. They’ll give you a feel for the lifestyle and community to help you make the right choices.

• What are the closing costs and fees involved in buying a home in Bellflower?

  A reliable agent will be transparent and upfront with any fees involved in the homebuying process, such as closing costs, lender’s fees, agent’s commissions, and more. 

• Do you have information on property taxes, home values, and insurance premiums?

  Ask your agent about housing-related costs like insurance and taxes before making the decision to buy in the area. 

• What is the current state of the California housing market, and how does it affect my decision to buy a home in Bellflower?

  A knowledgeable agent can offer a bird’s eye view of the housing market as well as provide information on certain trends and developments that affect you as a homebuyer. 

These questions can help you measure the agent’s knowledge of the Bellflower real estate market as well as the home buying process. Take this opportunity to clarify any doubts or confusion about getting buyer’s representation before making any decisions.

The benefits of working with a Bellflower agent

Working with an agent will help you maximize your time and resources during the homebuying process. The right agent will make sure that you’re not overpaying for a home and that the terms of the sales contract are fair and justifiable. They will also help you cast a wider net in your search for the perfect home by providing access to exclusive and off-market listings. 

Most of all, working with an agent will help reduce the stress of the buying process, taking care of the paperwork and legal issues so that you can focus on the fun part – viewing properties, discovering amazing neighborhoods, and meeting new people.  

Find the perfect home in Bellflower with 24 Hour Real Estate

If you’re looking for professional representation in Bellflower, CA, look no further than 24 Hour Real Estate. You can reach us 562.818.6111, send an email, or fill out our contact form for listings, home prices, and paperwork in Bellflower. We work harder than the competition. 

Our team of real estate professionals have facilitated more than 1,500 successful home sales since 1999. Led by Realtor and Broker Associate Michael Berdelis, who has over 22 years of experience, 24 Hour Real Estate is the #1 Team in the Downey area. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about Bellflower real estate.