Find a reo property preservation professional near you

Real estate agents help their clients buy, sell, and rent commercial and residential properties. There are also real estate agents that sell industrial and agricultural real estate, but the majority sell residential properties. To become a real estate agent, you must be at least 18 years old, successfully complete real estate courses, and pass a real estate exam. Be sure to check for any required licensing, too. Often real estate agents will earn 5 percent to 6 percent of the total home sale price for their work in representing their client. Typically this commission is split equally between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent. Here is an overview of what a real estate agent does, according to the United States Department of Labor:

• Represent clients who are looking to buy, sell and rent properties.
• Stay knowledgeable about regional real estate prices, mortgages, market conditions and related information, and advise clients accordingly.  
• Determine competitive market prices by comparing properties.
• Create and publicize lists of properties for sale, including details such as location and features.
• Market properties through advertisements, open houses and listing services.
• Show prospective buyers or renters properties.
• Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.
• Mediate negotiations between buyer and seller.
• Ensure that all terms of purchase contracts are met.
• Prepare documents, such as loyalty contracts, purchase agreements and deeds.

You can find the best property manager in your area by starting with an online search. Compare profiles and ratings, and read customer reviews — these tend to give a snapshot of the manager’s quality of work and customer service. Additionally, customers may post photos of their properties that give an idea of the pro’s attention to detail.

Licensing is required in some states, so check to see your state’s policies on licenses and certification.

Finally, compare quotes and prices from at least three property managers.

The average cost to haul away junk is $150, though this price can be expected to vary between around $75 and $375, depending on several factors. 

The first factor is the quantity of junk removed. Most junk removal services charge by the truckload, and most residential projects only require filling up part of a truckload.

Another factor is the type of junk. E-waste like computers and TVs may cost more to dispose of, as will more hazardous materials like mercury, paint and used motor oil. It also may cost more to remove big items like beds and couches.

To find out how much it will cost to get rid of your junk, get free estimates from the best junk removal companies near you.

While property managers do cost money, they can provide a lot of value to the client. They have marketing know-how and can advertise and perform showings of your property to the rental market. They can collect rent for you and screen potential tenants. They’ll also deal with tenant complaints and repairs, evictions and late rent. Finally, they can manage bill payments to simplify your paperwork and maximize your mental bandwidth.

Chat with top-rated property managers near you to find out if hiring one is worth the cost.

To prepare for junk removal, start by listing all the items you should get rid of. Organize your list by which items are appropriate for the junk collection team and which may have some resale value or could be donated. 

Move through your house and hit problem spots like closets, attics and basements. Make a pile of items you plan to keep, give away, sell, donate and have the junk removers pick up. Finally, contact at least three junk removal companies for price quotes.

Real estate agents typically don’t charge a set rate to their clients, but rather earn a commission on the price of the final home sale. In traditional real estate, there is a buyer’s agent and a seller’s agent. The two agents receive 5 percent to 6 percent of the final home sale price and split it evenly, meaning they each earn roughly 2.5 percent to 3 percent of the total home sale. If you are a home seller, you may have fees associated with the sale that are above and beyond the commission the agents earn. The real estate agent may have you pay marketing fees, MLS fees, early cancellation fees, or more. Always ask pricing details before signing a contract so you clearly understand your financial obligations. Here are some of the average (and common) costs that can arise when selling a home:

• Home inspection: $200-$350 or more, depending on region.
• Home appraisal: $250-$400 or more, depending on region.
• Professional real estate photography: $275-$550 or more, depending on photographer, square footage of house, and special requests like sunset shots.
• Closing costs: Often split between the seller and buyer. An average range for the buyer to pay is between 3 percent and 4 percent, with the seller paying a lower fee at 1 percent to 3 percent of the home’s price.

Real estate agents and real estate brokers both help clients buy, sell, and rent residential and commercial properties. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, real estate brokers are licensed to manage their own real estate businesses. Real estate agents cannot have their own real estate office and must work under a broker. Real estate brokers often have real estate firms and employ real estate agents. Those real estate agents may be employees of the firm, or they may work on contract and earn part of any commission they bring into the firm.

If you are a homeowner ready to sell or a buyer in the market for a new home, either a real estate broker or a real estate agent can help you achieve your goal. What is more important than their title is their track record and client success stories. When interviewing real estate agents or brokers to help you buy or sell a home, ask about their recent sales history as compared with the original listing prices. If you’re selling a home, ask how they would market your home and what price they would list it at. Whether you hire an agent or broker, you want a professional who will have your best interests at heart.

When you’re hiring a real estate agent you want to find a qualified pro who can negotiate the best deal for your home — whether you’re buying or selling. Reading reviews will help you weed out obvious bad operators; you want to work with someone who treats their clients with fairness and respect. That said, you also want someone who can play hardball and maximize your real estate deal. Ask for references from recent clients, and be sure to call them.

Experts encourage you to interview more than one prospective real estate agent before hiring. A home sale or home purchase is a big deal — sometimes the biggest deal in a person’s life — and you want to find an agent who will work hard for you. In today’s market, having a real estate agent who is social media savvy and has an attractive online presence is critical. Ask the agent how they plan to market your house. Review their listings, and ask yourself if they have professional photos with homes that are professionally staged. If the answer is no, they might not have the marketing savvy you’re looking for. Ask what price they would list your house at and why. Pay attention to how they communicate with you during your initial interviewing phase. Are they too busy to respond for several days? Are they clear and helpful? This information is a clue to how they’ll engage during the entire process.

To get rid of your junk fast, start by organizing and making a list of what you have. Sell what you can, and give away items that you value but you don’t want to friends and family. 

If you don’t have the means to transport items or if you have too much junk to get rid of on your own, it’s time to hire a pro. A junk removal service can quickly and efficiently get rid of junk for you, including lifting heavy objects and making sure nothing is damaged.

Find a junk removal service near you and start asking for free estimates.

You may want to tip your junk removal team if they did an exceptional job. For instance, if they show up on time, are courteous and professional, take extra care not to damage your possessions and home, and leave a clean site afterwards, you may feel like giving them a tip. A reasonable tip might be $20 per crew member.

It’s also nice to tip them on especially hot days, or when the weather is inclement. You can also provide food and drinks for them.