EVALUATE WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU
Make two lists- "Must Haves" and "Would Be Nice to Have":
Location:
- Convenient to work
- Convenient to transportation
- Convenient to schools [which school district is best for us?]
- Convenient to shopping
- Near parks or other recreation facilities
- Neighborhood [child-friendly?, adult?, etc]
Features:
- Preferred style [2 story, ranch, split entry, etc.]
- Number of bedrooms
- Numbers of bathrooms
- Family room
- Fireplace
- Home office
- Kitchen amenities
- Basement
- Garage (number of cars)
- Central air conditioning
- Lot size
- Fenced yard
- Pool
- View
WHAT IS A BUYER'S AGENT & WHY DO I NEED ONE?
As a buyer's agent I represent and work for the buyer in the purchasing of a home. My loyalty lies in negotiating the right price for the buyer and structuring the transaction to the buyer's advantage. Other advantages that ONLY buyer's agent can provide include: offering counsel in the property search process, keeping your bargaining and financial position confidential, assisting in writing an offer with your best interests in mind, providing exposure to both listed and unlisted properties, and preparing a comprehensive market analysis which could reveal if a home is over-priced. If you don't have a written buyer's agency agreement, anything you tell a realtor can be relayed back to the seller!
It doesn't cost you anything to have a buyer's agent working for you. Sellers pay a pre-negotiated real estate commission, whether you are represented or not. If you don't have a buyer's agent, the entire commission goes to the listing agent's company- so it also doesn't save you any money not to use an agent.
MY COMMITMENT TO YOU
You're the Boss
I will listen to you, and keep you informed through the entire home buying process. I will only show you homes within your price range, and that fit your needs. I will try to simplify the process as much as possible by explaining things in detail, presenting your options, and making recommendations. I will negotiate aggressively to obtain the best price and terms for you.
Area Expert
Each week I tour homes that are new to the market. This lets me keep up-to-date with the current inventory of homes. I can also give you a "heads up" on homes that don't live up to their advertising or online pictures and descriptions, saving you the time and hassle of viewing homes that don't meet your needs. In addition, I am involved in many networking groups and I hear about homes before they come on the market. This can give my client some inside advantages.
To find out more about how I do business visit About Me/Why Choose Me.
THE SEARCH BEGINS...
Fact-finding Chat
So you've selected an agent, and it's time to start looking at houses. We will want to sit down and discuss a few things such as your tastes and preferences and your time frame for buying a home. I like to recommend a mortgage lender that is part of my team, so that I know that I can rely on them.
Multiple Listing Service
I can show you any property listed through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). I can help you "visit" many of these homes online or on paper through in-depth descriptions, photos, or virtual tours. You will probably want to drive by the homes to assess if there is further interest in seeing the property. I will show you the properties that meet your criteria. To search the MLS visit Properties/Find a Home.
Homes You See Advertised
I will sign you up for a service called CleanOffer to let you peruse the MLS properties at your leisure. I will provide you with detailed information and show you the homes that interest you.
Yard Signs and Open Houses
A yard sign or open house can let you know a home is available, but I can help you know if it's worthwhile. I can arrange private showings of homes displaying an "Open House" or "For Sale" yard sign. When visiting an open house on your own, give the salesperson my card and tell them that I am your agent. Try not to disclose any information, since the agent works for the seller and is obligated to tell them anything you say.
Networking
I am in many networking groups and many times I hear about properties before they come on the market.
Homes that Meet Your Criteria
To find the right home for you we will tour properties that best match the criteria you have given me. As your agent, I will share my evaluation of the homes we see, including factors that may affect their value.
It won't be long and you will be ready to make an offer on the perfect home. Visit Buying Process to learn what's next.
