OneWorld Financial Enrichment Series: Choosing A Real Estate Agent

November 12, 2012 by

We are proud to announce that we will be launching an e-learning series on financial literacy as part of the OneWorld Continuing Education curricula. An important component of the training would involve real estate investment and especially an analysis on land capital appreciation. Post-training, you will be able to analyze real estate investments and be prepared to sit for the OneWorld qualification exams (in financial education).

Today’s pre-screening article is written by George Mokumba, e-learning course coordinator – he can be reached at george.mokumba@theoneworldfoundation.org.

If you are wondering why using a real estate agent is a good idea when buying or selling a home, then read on.

Why Using a Real Estate Agent is a Good Idea When Buying Homes

If you are buying a home, you usually won’t need to pay a real estate agent since the agent will earn a commission from the home’s seller – a fee that will come out of the home’s final sales price.

Real estate agents also happen to be very knowledgeable about buying homes, so they can tell you everything that you need to know about your desired neighborhood and its schools, recreational areas and activities.

Businessman

Make sure that he or she is the real deal

Another reason why using a real estate agent is a good idea is because he can negotiate with sellers for you. Home negotiations are no joke and can be quite hard since payments can involve closing costs, repairs, inspections and home warranties. Fortunately, a real estate agent can negotiate home items, like dryers and washers, furniture and refrigerators into the sale, so you can get the best deal possible in the end.

Once a seller accepts your offer, an agent can also keep things going, help you stay on track and take care of all of the other tasks that you will need to complete during the entire buying process.

Why Using a Real Estate Agent is a Good Idea When Selling Homes

Overall, real estate agents would really be worth the commission. If you consider everything that an agent can do for you from the beginning, you should come to realize that the commission is well worth it in the end. After all, an agent can help you sell your home much faster than usual and for a much higher price than you originally bargained for, as well.

Since real estate agents understand the real estate market right now, in general, you can be sure that they will understand the home values, competition and benefits of your neighborhood if you get an agent who lives there. If you want a KLCC condo, for example, find an agent who lives in the KLCC area. Otherwise, you are limited to researching properties at online portals such as Zillow.

Also, since real estate agents are suppose to know how to sell homes, you can just fire them if you aren’t happy with their services. Of course, it would be ideal if you look for an agent with a good track record before asking him to sell your home, though. Remember: selling a home takes knowledge, experience and dedication in the housing market; otherwise, you won’t be able to attract any buyers or sell your home in the end. It is also imperative that you learn as much as you can about the property you are selling. In this respect, online resources are a boon; a good site for property reviews is the Property Review (Malaysia) site.

Of course, you should never forget that your real estate agent of choice has to represent you until the very end, as well. He also has to make sure that he keeps your interests protected in the home’s sale and fulfills every negotiation in your contract. If you come across any problems after closing, he should also be there to help you resolve your issues. This is why using a real estate agent is a good idea, in general, when it comes to both buying or selling a home.

For more learning resources on real estate investing, log on to your E-Learning portal.

Filed Under: Training Classes, What's New Tagged With: , ,

What’s New

September 25, 2012 by

One World is now recruiting Young Leaders and Group Leaders from minority and indigenous backgrounds for our 2010 Summer Programs in Cambodia, Senegal and Uganda!

Read below for more information about our Young Leaders Program.

The One World Young Leaders Program provides young leaders (ages 18 to 25) from minority and indigenous backgrounds with an opportunity to gain training and fieldwork experience in international human rights and development.  Participants in the One World Young Leaders Program spend 8 weeks during the summer in a developing country.  The program is divided into two phases: (i) a one-week Leadership Training on Human Rights and Development, and (ii) a seven-week internship at a local or national non-governmental organization focusing on specific areas within the human rights and development fields.

Program Fee: The One World Young Leaders Program participation fee is $3,500 per participant.  This covers round-trip transportation from Washington, DC to the host country, housing, medical evacuation insurance, training sessions, and a food and bottled water stipend.  Note: The program fee does not include the cost of vaccinations or visas.

One World Group Leaders

One World recruits one Group Leader (ages 26 to 35) for each country program to be in charge of overseeing the One World Young Leaders Program.  Like Young Leaders, Group Leaders participate in a seven-week internship placement.  In addition, the Group Leader will be the primary person responsible for ensuring that the One World country program runs smoothly.  Some of the additional roles and responsibilities of the Group Leaders include:

  • Coordinating logistics once One World participants arrive in host countries;
  • Facilitating the one-week Leadership Training;
  • Effectively handling critical issues and situations on the ground as they arise;
  • Providing weekly status updates to staff at One World headquarters; and
  • Liaising with local NGO partners and stakeholders to ensure country programs and mutually beneficial to Young Leaders and local NGO partners.

Program Fee: One World will pay half the participation fee for Group Leaders.  Therefore, the cost of participation for Group Leaders will be $1,750.  Like the fee for Young Leaders, this covers round-trip transportation from Washington, DC to the host country, housing, medical evacuation insurance, training sessions, and a food and bottled water stipend.  Note: The program fee does not include the cost of vaccinations or visas.

NEW! Information about the One World Young Leaders Program

Locations: One World Group Leaders and Young Leaders will be placed in one of three host countries: Cambodia, Senegal, and Uganda.

Dates: The in-country program runs from June 1 – August 1.  Prior to the start of the program, Young Leaders will be required to attend an orientation in Washington, DC beginning May 28, 2010.  Group Leaders will be required to attend a “Training of Trainers” from May 25 – 27 in Washington, DC and the Young Leaders Orientation on May 28 prior to departure to host countries.

To apply, email us for the One World Application.  The deadline has been extended to February 15.

In video below, past Young Leader, Amir Rodney Smith, talks about why you should apply!

View videos from our Young Leader Alumni below!  And watch this video below for more of what our alumni have to say.


Video by Abe Velazquez, One World Young Leader in Cambodia, interning for Tiny Toones

Filed Under: What's New