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Real Estate Success Tips
THE IMPORTANCE OF A REALTOR
When looking to buy or sell a
house, many people try to go without a Realtor. This decision may seem like a
"money saving" step, but it could actually end up costing you thousands of
dollars in the end, even though you feel like you're saving money. A Realtor
could also save you from making severe mistakes or stressful situations caused
by contract negotiations, contingencies, and other situations that you are not
prepared to deal with. A Realtor will handle the following issues when you are
buying or selling your home, as well as handle many other duties, that should
make your buying or selling of a home, easier on you.
Buying a Home
Your Realtor will:
 Help you in finding your range that
you, as a buyer, will be comfortable in purchasing. They will look at the amount
you are able to borrow, what your income provides, and what you have saved
already. From this point, they can also direct you to a lender who is best
suited to help you.
Investigate the market using
different search methods in order to come up with the best homes that fit your
desired descriptions. That may include school location, job location, house
size, house style, features, and location.
Negotiate on your behalf. Negotiating
is more than just talking numbers. There are many factors involved, which your
Realtor is used to dealing with. Because your Realtor is familiar with this
process, his/her tactics will be better suited in getting the house down to the
best price, according to your range that was established using your income, down
payment, and lending resources available to you. They will make offers and
counter offers in order to keep the home in your price range.
Be responsible in providing services
for your home (future) inspection of such things as; termites, radon testing,
structure, septic and/or well tests, dry rot, lead testing, etc. This does not
mean that they pay for these important tests. It simply means that they will
look out for your best interests in arranging or helping to arrange these tests.
Walk you through the final piece,
which is known as the "closing" and make sure that everything is taken care of
before your purchase is finalized. This would include the tests that were done
to your house- which should include written or printed reports for your ease of
mind as documentation that they were done.
Selling a Home
Your Realtor will:
Advertise your property to other
Realtors and possible buyers searching the MLS (multiple listing service)
Provide peace of mind as you continue
to do the many other things that your life involves. Whether it be looking for a
new home to buy, pack, or continue in your daily line of work, your Realtor will
take care of all the critical parts that involve selling your home.
Schedule times for showings, open
houses, walk throughs, appraisals, etc.
Provide you with information
regarding the market, proper pricing, financing, and what other properties that
are similar, are for sale as well. (This is good to be aware of for your
negotiating purposes. This will either make your property more valuable, or
force you to change your "market price". Your Realtor may also provide a time
frame in which your house will be sold, or they will buy it from you. However,
this is not common for all Realtors.
Answer questions that arrive during
the selling and closing process. Each potential buyer may have things that they
would like inspected, repaired, or adjusted (including the price). Your Realtor
will best be able to answer each question and work with you in reaching a
reasonable agreement for each question or issue.
Market or advertise your house to the
best of their ability using their marketing strategies. Realtors are trained
with knowledge in marketing tactics. They also should have a good client base
already established, therefore, much of your possible buyers may come your way
by word of mouth. Your Realtor will most likely have a website established as
well, which means that your listing is probably going to be posted on his/her
site.
Evaluate each potential buyer on
whether they are qualified or not. When a buyer comes forward with a bid that
meets your requirement, your Realtor will begin the process of selling your
home. This is not a simple 1-2-3 process, so be aware that it may take longer
than you expected.
Draw up a contract for the
prospective buyer, as well as negotiate, making offers and counter offers.
Assist you with contingencies based
on the contract that was drawn up. This may include repairs, inspections,
installation, clean up, etc.
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