Do I Need A Real Estate Agent
Yes! You need a real estate agent when you are buying a home. A real estate agent can really help you do so. If you think you can really buy a home without the help of a real estate agent, consider the following:
· How much do you know of the complete processes involved in buying a home?
· Do you have the time, energy, and contacts to do it yourself?
· If so, would your results be better than what they would be with the help of a real estate agent?
· Would you be able to buy at a price better than what a real estate agent would have arranged?
For buying a home, you need to select a professional and a competent real estate agent. When choosing one, ensure that he is a member of the National Association of Realtors®, a real estate trade association. The complete buying transaction involves the following:
- Buying Process – It starts with your buying power. The basic information regarding your income, your savings, and your current debts help determine this. With this information in hand, the real estate agent can put you in touch with the lenders qualified to help you.
- Finding – Once you decide how much you wish to invest in a new home, the real estate agent helps to locate the homes suitable to you. Realtors have their resources to locate properties, as many properties are not advertised.
- Selecting - While making your selection of the properties located by your real estate agent, he can assist you by making information - vis-à-vis local community information on utilities, zoning, and schools, among other - available to you.
- Negotiating – Now comes the difficult part - negotiating with the seller. This is where the real estate agent comes in most handy. Negotiating does not only involve the price of the home you are interested in, but also includes financing, terms, date of possession, and other factors, such as repairs and furnishings, etc.
Your agent can advise you about the inspections and investigations required. He can put you in touch with professional inspectors to inspect the property for termites, dry rot, faulty structure, condition of the roof, etc. An investigator will provide reports regarding the title of the property, and that it is not mired in disputes, etc.
- Financing – Once you decide on the home you want, your real estate agent can provide help in identifying different lenders, and the type of financial options available to you.
- Final Settlement – This is the most important part. Depending on the location in the country, the closing or settlement, may be handled by an escrow company, or an attorney. Your real estate agent can guide you through the process to ensure everything moves smoothly.
Now is the time to decide whether it is worthwhile having a real estate agent assist you in buying a home. With all the above processes to handle, now is the time to decide if you can do it all alone, or not. It is your call.
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