| Most of us take pride in what we do; whether we | | | | agents in a relatively short period of time. For the |
| work in a book store, are stay-at-home parents, | | | | majority of those pursuing a career in real estate, |
| chop down trees, or run the country. And when it | | | | and determined to do the job well, the process of |
| comes to the general public's perception of which | | | | learning the ins and outs of the industry begins |
| are the most honest, and dishonest, professions, | | | | upon receipt of the necessary documentation. For |
| there are very few surprises to be seen in the | | | | those less scrupulous individuals, a license means |
| frequently published polls. Nurses, teachers, | | | | that they are now ready to go out and |
| doctors and pharmacists usually occupy the top | | | | demonstrate their new found expertise with a ton |
| spots in the most honest lists, while those | | | | of confidence, and dreams of their first |
| bastions of BS, car salesmen, rank consistently | | | | lamborghini. |
| high in the roster of unreliable trades people. Also | | | | So, how does one identify the reliable, |
| to be found in the upper reaches of this less than | | | | hard-working agent? Don't be afraid to ask |
| flattering roll call are lawyers, politicians, bankers | | | | questions, a knowledgeable and honest agent will |
| and, yes, real estate agents. | | | | know the answers, or at least admit that they |
| But are these widely-held opinions, simply based | | | | don't, and promise to look into your query. Ask |
| on long-standing, impermeable prejudices, or do | | | | your friends and family to recommend agents |
| certain professions actually appeal to the less | | | | they have used, often a trusted referral is all you'll |
| discerning characters amongst us? As with all | | | | need. Also, ask an agent for references. An |
| things, there is good and bad everywhere. There | | | | experienced, successful professional will only be |
| are definitely some very ethical and utterly | | | | too happy to oblige. |
| trustworthy automobile dealers out there, and | | | | Make sure that you are informed about the local |
| plenty of politicians find themselves on their | | | | housing market. Of course, you don't have to be |
| particular vocational path, through genuinely | | | | an expert, but do check out the listings, and |
| wanting to do good things. But, and it's a big but, | | | | compare the prices of similar properties on the |
| the lure of easy money, privilege and prestige | | | | market with your own, if you are selling. If you |
| that can come with certain positions, may be too | | | | are looking to buy, familiarize yourself with the |
| strong for some people to ignore. | | | | values of those homes that match your |
| So, how does a consumer tell the honest | | | | requirements. |
| professional, from the charlatan? | | | | There is no doubt that a great real estate agent |
| Let's take a look at real estate. It is commonly | | | | will make the stressful process of buying or selling |
| opined that anyone can become a real estate | | | | a home a good deal easier. And remember, there |
| agent. You just walk out of high school, pay for | | | | may be some relatively poor or uncommitted real |
| the necessary licenses and away you go. Of | | | | estate agents out there, but there are only a few |
| course, it's not quite so simple as that. But the | | | | truly dishonest ones, so do your homework and |
| truth is, people with little or no experience of the | | | | make sure that you don't become their next |
| housing market, can attend a few courses, pass a | | | | client. |
| couple of exams and become certified real estate | | | | |