Why You Need A Real Estate AgentA realtor offers valuable advice much like a lawyer or accountant.

Unless you have a significant amount of experience in shoppingfor commercial real estate, it's a good idea to use a qualifiedreal estate agent. Whether you are buying or leasing, an agent canhelp by pre-screening properties, which saves you time, and bynegotiating on your behalf, which can save you money.

Typically the seller or landlord pays the agent'scommission, which may raise some questions in your mind about theloyalty of the agent. However, keep in mind that the agentdoesn't get paid until a deal that satisfies you both isnegotiated.

You may opt to use a tenant's or buyer's agent, whom youpay yourself. In the real estate world, that's called tenant(or buyer) representation, a real estate specialty that is growingin popularity.

Excerpted fromStart Your Own Business, 2nd edition: The OnlyStart-Up Guide You'll Ever Need