Expert Insight: The Key Differences Between Estate Agents and Consultant

With so many titles for various real estate professions, it’s easy to see why many people don’t understand the difference between what real estate agents does compared to the services of a real estate consultant such as DessyDee Consortium

Real estate consultants and Estate Agents play very different roles in the property market, though their duties and responsibilities might overlap at times. A consultant usually advises clients on building or investment activities in the market. An Estate Agent helps clients buy or sell properties.

Real estate consultants are not motivated by potential financial gains from the sale of a property. Instead, they are consumer-centered and focused on helping clients make the best choice for them by providing research, analysis and other informational resources.

A real estate agent, on the other hand, has the sole objective of influencing the sale of a property. While real estate consultants are paid for their service to clients, real estate agents receive their profits only when a property is sold.

Consulting Industry

Real estate consulting firms provide research, analysis and advising services to clients such as construction developers, investment banks, mortgage lenders, materials producers, builders and property investors. Some consultants provide services to many types of business or investors, while others specialize in a particular type of client. As a consultant, you can either work for an established firm that already provides these services or start your own business.

Consultant’s Role

As a consultant, you typically start a relationship with a new prospect by meeting with him to discuss objectives. For example, a property developer might need to learn about the viability of putting in a new Shopping plaza, while an investment bank may want to diversify into real estate investments. After learning of the client’s objectives, you prepare necessary research tools and set out a schedule to perform and report on research. For the property developer, your research may involve site-based visits, meetings with community officials and local real estate professionals, as well as secondary research compiling data that provide direction on broader trends in regional property development.

Here is a brief explanation of the types of real estate agents and what roles they have;

Listing Agent

Estate Agents usually fall into one of two different categories — real estate listing agent or buyer’s agent — though some do both. A real estate listing agent helps a property seller list a home or business for sale. She then enters the property in the local real estate multiple listing services and markets the property within the community. When a buyer wants to see the property, the agent informs the seller. The agent helps manage the review of offers and counteroffers, and finalizes agreements on behalf of the seller. You typically get a 3 percent to 4 percent commission on the sale, which you might split with a brokerage.

Buyer’s Agent

A buyer’s agent works with clients looking to buy a home or commercial building. A primary responsibility in this role is to research properties that meet the client’s parameters, and then show the client the properties. While agents sometimes offer insights and recommendations on properties and offer prices, the buyer typically directs the preparation of an offer to buy. During negotiation you help facilitate offers and counteroffers until both parties agree to a contract.

Just as there are buyer and seller agents, DessyDee Consortium’s real estate consultants may also provide services to either party. Whatever a client’s needs are, real estate consultants use their expertise to assist individuals in making intelligent choices whether they are buying, selling, or relocating to an area such as Lagos, Port Harcourt, abuja or Dubai or are investing in these areas when purchasing their second or third home, or as a rental property.

For those looking for property to invest in, our real estate consultants’ expertise can be invaluable in helping clients to help identify unique opportunities. And as the details of any property sale are worked out, a real estate consultant becomes a key component helping you negotiate from a position of strength and knowledge.

If you are trying to sell or buy a property, you may decide to enlist the services of a DessyDee Consortium real estate consultant to help you create a strategy incorporating the benefits of property staging and photography that will ensure a quick sale and maximum return on your investment.

In addition to the services we provide as real estate consultants, DessyDee Consortium also maintains close relationships with a network of licensed real estate professionals to assist our clients with all of their real estate needs.

If you are in need of some guidance and are looking for someone who will take the time and effort to thoroughly evaluate your goals and needs, then hiring a real estate consultant may be the best approach. Let DessyDee Consortium help you reach your desired result on your next real estate transaction. We specialize in assisting individuals from Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, UK, USA, Canada, Russia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Spain & other parts of the world in purchasing genuine estate properties in different parts of Nigeria and Dubai.