Real estate is one of those professions people have a lot of preconceived notions about. Below are some commonly held myths - and their realities - about working with real-estate sales representatives.

        "I shouldn't tell my representative how much I dislike this property; I might offend them." Actually, your honest feedback about the homes you and your representative view - even if it's negative - is not only welcome, it's valued. The more honest you are, the more time and energy you will save both you and your representative.

        "If I work with multiple real-estate reps, I'll find my next home that much faster." Most real-estate representatives use the same MLS and, as such, would likely provide you with the same listings. Plus, when you work with multiple representatives, you may miss out on the high level of service you can expect when loyal to one.

        "I don't need a representative; I'm buying brand new." Remember, the builder's onsite salespeople work for the builder - it's the builder's best interests th're concerned with, not yours. A real-estate sales representative can be valuable to you in modifying the builder's contract for your protection, negotiating pricing and upgrades, protecting you against builder's liens, and more.

        "I'll save money by not hiring a real-estate sales representative to help me with my next home purchase." On the contrary, with representation you're less likely too overpay for a home, as real-estate sales reps have access to information (known as comparables) that help them determine what you should be paying for a property, and they are experts at negotiating the best deal.