Why you need me to help you purchase your home.
- I can help you find homes in your price range, I have access to more properties than what you’ll see online.
- I am your neighborhood specialist. I know facts about that neighborhood that a seller might not disclose.
- I will act as your middleman and help with negotiations. Negotiating an offer is very different than, say, buying a car, because the risks in buying a home far exceed price considerations. As well you might have questions and concerns about a home before you put in an offer. I can express your concerns to sellers, without insulting them, by acting as a neutral party in the buying process.
- I will make sure you receive all of the seller disclosures to which you are legally entitled. Sellers might not purposely withhold a disclosure, but you likely will not know what to request.
- I will make sure you don't pay more for closing costs than is customary in your area. Sellers might make you pay for everything, and you won't know the difference.
- I will decipher piles of paperwork filled with contract language. For example, I can explain the difference between a disclosure and an agreement, and help you to understand what you sign.
- I will help you find a mortgage with a company that has a good reputation for closing on time and that will give you the best rates and terms.
- I will help you determine the types of inspections you should perform. Most buyers don't know how to spot potential problems such as dry rot or wet basements or know how to determine if a sewer inspection is necessary
- Fees for the buyer’s agent are usually paid by the seller. What do you have to lose?
Knowing your Market
Conducting a home search by yourself can be a full-time job. As well agents who sell in certain areas know facts about that neighborhood that a seller might not disclose.
Though the Internet makes it easy to find homes in your price range, a good agent usually has access to more properties. That includes For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties and homes that aren’t yet listed.
In addition, some sellers of desirable homes do not wish to “go public.” Only agents (and their colleagues) working with those sellers even know about those so-called “pocket listings.”
Paperwork
Another plus is that your agent will handle all of paperwork on your behalf.
Unless you love filling out forms – and have experience in real estate transactions – this is a chore best left to the professionals, who should ensure that everything is done by the book.
You could easily make a mistake with these documents. Mistakes can cause deals to fall apart or (worse) make you liable for an inadvertent breach of contract. (A licensed agent will have errors and omissions insurance to limit this risk.)
An experienced agent will make sure that everything that needs to take place — counter-offers, extensions, appraisal, inspection, walk-through, loan approval — happens when it’s supposed to and how it’s supposed to.
Conducting a home search by yourself can be a full-time job. As well agents who sell in certain areas know facts about that neighborhood that a seller might not disclose.
Though the Internet makes it easy to find homes in your price range, a good agent usually has access to more properties. That includes For Sale By Owner (FSBO) properties and homes that aren’t yet listed.
In addition, some sellers of desirable homes do not wish to “go public.” Only agents (and their colleagues) working with those sellers even know about those so-called “pocket listings.”
Paperwork
Another plus is that your agent will handle all of paperwork on your behalf.
Unless you love filling out forms – and have experience in real estate transactions – this is a chore best left to the professionals, who should ensure that everything is done by the book.
You could easily make a mistake with these documents. Mistakes can cause deals to fall apart or (worse) make you liable for an inadvertent breach of contract. (A licensed agent will have errors and omissions insurance to limit this risk.)
An experienced agent will make sure that everything that needs to take place — counter-offers, extensions, appraisal, inspection, walk-through, loan approval — happens when it’s supposed to and how it’s supposed to.
Negotiator
A good agent should have a wealth of sales and neighborhood data to help you negotiate the lowest-cost deal.
A seasoned pro knows what you can buy in your area with your budget, and what constitutes a good deal. He or she knows how to formulate tempting offers, when to play hardball, and when to walk away. This expertise is especially helpful in neighborhoods where home values vary widely from block to block – or in seller’s markets.
(Remember: most sellers are represented by agents, and experienced negotiators tend to eat amateurs for lunch.)
If you’re a first-time home buyer, your agent will help you avoid newbie mistakes – such as skipping the home inspection or giving away your bargaining leverage by disclosing too much personal information
Most home buyers think agents are worth the price, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In 2016, 87 percent of home buyers purchased through a real estate agent. Of these, 89 percent said they would use the same agent again or recommend her to others.
Finally, because the fees for both the buyer’s and seller’s agent are usually paid by the seller, there’s no reason not to interview some agents about representing you.
A good agent should have a wealth of sales and neighborhood data to help you negotiate the lowest-cost deal.
A seasoned pro knows what you can buy in your area with your budget, and what constitutes a good deal. He or she knows how to formulate tempting offers, when to play hardball, and when to walk away. This expertise is especially helpful in neighborhoods where home values vary widely from block to block – or in seller’s markets.
(Remember: most sellers are represented by agents, and experienced negotiators tend to eat amateurs for lunch.)
If you’re a first-time home buyer, your agent will help you avoid newbie mistakes – such as skipping the home inspection or giving away your bargaining leverage by disclosing too much personal information
Most home buyers think agents are worth the price, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In 2016, 87 percent of home buyers purchased through a real estate agent. Of these, 89 percent said they would use the same agent again or recommend her to others.
Finally, because the fees for both the buyer’s and seller’s agent are usually paid by the seller, there’s no reason not to interview some agents about representing you.
