1. The Home Seller Has an Agent and You Should, Too
Purchasing your first home is daunting enough of a task without trying to go it alone. Homeowners hire a seller’s agent to market and sell their home. The other side of that real estate transaction should include hiring a Buyer’s Agent to assist you in your house-hunting efforts. And here’s the good news: Buyer Agency is free to the customer since the Buyer’s Agent is paid out of the seller’s commission.
Find out what's happening in Roslindalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
2. There’s More to a House Than Four Walls and a Roof
While you may be just looking at the size of the bedrooms and the brand of the kitchen appliances when you’re house hunting your Buyer’s Agent can help you achieve a more in-depth perspective. He can point out things about the home that can make or break a deal. For instance, limited closet space will leave you wanting more storage after you’ve moved in. Single-pane windows may let in plenty of sunshine but they’re not energy efficient and will cost you more money in the long run. A good buyer’s agent is trained to help you avoid making purchasing mistakes.
Find out what's happening in Roslindalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
3. Negotiating to a “Yes” Position
Deciding on the correct offer price may seem to be the hardest part of buying a home but truth be told, having all parties agree on the final sale price is often the trickiest factor in home buying. The aim is to have all parties leave the negotiations feeling that they got a fair deal in the end. Having an experienced Buyer’s Agent who knows the market conditions and has carefully evaluated the property for you is critical in crafting the proper negotiating strategy.
4. Building Your Own “Home Team”
One of the best ways that a Buyer’s Agent can assist you in your efforts to buy a new home is their ability to recommend a list of qualified service providers. From a real estate attorney to a home inspector to mortgage lender, an experienced Realtor can introduce you to all the other service professionals you’ll need. Even after the sale, you can rely on them to recommend a painter, carpenter, electrician, etc. A good Buyer’s Agent will be your go-to resource for all things related to homeownership.
5. Avoiding those Oops Moments
Most of my home-buying clients agree on one thing when it comes to buying their first home: there are SO MANY DETAILS. While HGTV’s “House Hunters” TV show has lead us to believe that buying a house is simply a matter of looking at three properties in a 30-minute time slot, there’s a lot more to it than that. Your agent is there to help you keep track of every detail throughout the process from scheduling your first viewings to the closing and beyond. The last thing you need to hear yourself say when buying a home is “Oops, we forgot that.”
One More Important Tip to Keep in Mind: Not All Buyer’s Agents are Created Equal
A real estate agent who has the ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) designation has made the extra effort to raise the bar with additional and continuous training and years of field experience. Before earning the ABR designation, the agent must have demonstrated their proven experience in representing their buyers. Additionally, they are committed to maintaining their professional edge by staying current on market conditions, issues and trends. And in a competitive housing market, having a real estate pro by your side can make the difference between buying your dream home or walking away disappointed.
WANT TO BE A SAVVY FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER?
Sign up today for my FREE “Home Buying 101” In-Home Tutorial.
Go to http://www.gohomewithmichael.com/ and fill out the “Contact Me” form to get all the details.
