The Home Buying Process
Whether you’re a first time home buyer or you’ve done this before, having a Realtor represent your buying interests helps ensure you find the house that fits your needs. Here are some of the top benefits of using an agent to buy a home:
1.REALTORS® Abide by a Code of Ethics
Under this code, your REALTOR® is obligated to put your interests ahead of her own. She is also required to make full disclosure about the problems with a property and be truthful in advertising.
2. Pricing Expertise
Anyone can spend a few minutes online and pull information on sales of comparable houses. But real estate agents have the experience to know whether a house is overpriced or underpriced, just by looking. In the best-case scenario, an agent will have such a good idea of what you’re looking for that she won’t even waste your time touring houses that won’t work. And they know the neighborhoods and can help you pick the one that will best suit your needs.
3. Requesting Repairs
Many times, the touchiest part of your real estate purchase will involve negotiating repairs to the property. An experienced Realtor will be able to identify trouble spots that you don’t see. She will recommend a good, independent home inspector licensed in your state who will provide a detailed report outlining potential problems. Some of those problems are important, while others are not. Your agent will have the knowledge to know what’s reasonable to request and what’s excessive.
4. Locating Available Homes
While most homes for sale can been found online, a real estate agent will most likely know about unadvertised homes, which can broaden your search.
5. Taking on the Paperwork
If you’ve previously bought a home, you know the amount of paperwork involved when buying a home. This is when a good real estate agent really comes in handy! They make sure everything is submitted on time, with the proper signatures, to the proper places.
6. Avoid Closing Problems
With so many details to keep track of, a real estate agent knows what to watch for to avoid pitfalls that may kill the deal. Realtors are used to dealing with last minute, unexpected issues that can arise, such as unexpected title issues, financing timing and repair requests not being met.
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