Hiring financial and legal services for your home could save you thousands of dollars down the road
Hiring financial and legal services for your home could save you thousands of dollars down the roadThe time will come when you will need to hire some kind of professional services for your home needs. It may be a repair job, a legal issue, maintenance, or selling needs. Knowing how to hire these professionals and what to look for will help you have a better experience.
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Financial/Legal Services:
Attorney:
In most people’s life there will be a need to hire an attorney.
It is best to get a recommendation from someone you know if possible. If not try asking other professional people that you may currently deal with. Possibly your account, banker, real estate agent, or other professional. Once you have a name, make sure that this lawyer will have an initial consultation with you for free. You should not have to pay just for an interview with a lawyer. You can also use the web site @ www.lawyers.com to research lawyers for your area. Attorneys do specialize like doctors, so if you need the lawyer so a special purpose make sure to hire an attorney has handled many cases in that specialty.
Mortgage Broker:
When it comes time to get a home loan and you decide you want to shop around more then just going to your local bank then a mortgage broker may be your best bet. These brokers normally deal with many different lenders and will be able to find you a loan vehicle that works best for you. The best place to find a mortgage broker is through local real estate agents or title companies.
Accountant:
If you run a business or you have a complex tax structure then you may never use an accountant. When the time comes that you need it is best first to ask friends and family. Ask other professionals you know like, your doctor, dentist, business owner you know for recommendations. The laws surrounding tax structure, finances, income, and investments is constantly changing therefore make sure whom you hire is keeping up with the current laws and practices. Accountants normally charge by the hour for general work which came be $50 to $100 per hour. Many have set fees for items like tax returns, license filings, & other small items. Make sure to hire someone that will take the time to explain everything to you about your situation. This is a person you want to become close to. They can have lots of information that can help you retain more of your hard earned money.
Real Estate Agent:
Almost everyone will use a real estate agent sometime in their live. Friends and family are the best place to start to find an agent. All agents have to be trained and licensed in your state. It is best to use an agent from your surrounding area. They have a better advantage knowing the recent sold homes and information that buyers may want to know about the surrounding area. Like with every contractor that you hire, it is best that this professional is someone that you work well with and that is very smart. The standard commission for an agent is 6% of the sales price. In some cases this can be negotiated. Agents normally want you to sign a 6 month exclusivity agreement. This also can be negotiated. I prefer that this be no longer then 3 months, as you have more room to change the contract depending on their performance.
Insurance Agent:
Insurance is something that we all most have through out life. It is a shame that it cost so much but, when you need it for a real problem it pays off. Insurance is a big business and agents are everywhere. Stick with the larger agencies and you should be protected from misrepresentation. Ask other professionals you know for recommendations. It is still good to check around every 2 years or so to ensure you are getting good rates. If you plan on sticking with the same agent for a long time make sure it is someone that you feel comfortable with. Do not use an agent purely on price. Sometimes a insurance broker may serve you better then an agent that only sells insurance products from a single company.
by: Tom Corliss
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