Stage 3 — On Real Estate Agents
Partnering up with a real estate agent – a good one! – it’s a great boon for anyone looking to purchase a home.
Beyond their more evident roles, real estate agents bring a lot of additional skills and advantages to the table. Benefits that end up having a massive impact on how the whole house hunting and buying processes go!
That’s why we’ve dedicated an entire section showing you the ins and outs of having a real estate agent by your side!
What’s the Purpose of Hiring a Real Estate Agent?
Having a real estate agent can save you a lot of headaches (and money!) along the way. That is, if you do your due diligence and find one that’s right for you!
The thing is that, although most people would say they do have a “good realtor”, do they really understand what realtors do to classify them as a “good realtor”?
So, let’s start with a quick overview of the things real estate agents are there for.
Finding the Right House:
Above all else, a good real estate agent is there to make sure you find the right house. Plain and simple.
How exactly? For starters, they have access to multiple listing services (MLS). It is a suite of databases and pieces of software they use to get detailed information about the real estate market, properties available, their features, what they are listed for… an excellent real estate agent comes chock-full of useful data.
You can find a lot of similar information on real estate listing sites, which are excellent resources to get you started, but they tend not to be 100% up to date, or accurate.
Now, even more important than all of that, a good real estate agent comes with something far more desirable: Experience.
Agents tend to have seen enough homes to spot those that might come with issues. EXPENSIVE issues. They can also guide you on what to look for and what to avoid on a property, something precious when you are a first-time buyer.
Filter-out Undesired Zones
Finding your new home isn’t just about knowing what’s being offered out there.
A real estate agent helps you filter those zones that are best avoided while concentrating on the location that’s right for you!
An experienced agent can help you find the best school districts, conveniences you are looking for, resale values… Whatever’s important about your new home’s location, they’ll point you in the right direction.
Know-How
When it’s all said and done, the primary benefit that real estate agents bring to the table can be summed up in one word: Consultation.
Real estate agents will talk through the whole home buying process with you, even before you start hunting for homes. They get you ready and tell you what to expect.
Think about it. Most homeowners will only buy a house a few times in their lifetimes. Agents go through the whole process with every client, day in and day out.
They have a wealth of knowledge waiting to be tapped.
Paperwork
The dreaded paperwork!
Do you happen to know how to draft a purchase agreement? With a proper agent, this isn’t something you’ll need to worry about. They draw up your agreement, so you just have to go through it and sign it when the time comes.
A lot of paperwork goes into home buying, and your agent is there to take care of it.
Networking
Once you have had an offer accepted, the whole buying process can quickly become a bit overwhelming!
In approximately a month, you need to take care of a great deal of things! Getting the house inspected, arrange for movers, buying a home warranty, shopping for insurance, figuring out repairs… The list goes on.
Luckily for you, real estate agents have seen it all before!
They know which movers are dependable, which inspector tends to give accurate reports, which insurance companies to avoid, etc.
While agents can’t solve everything for you, they can take the brunt of the process.
So, now you know how important it is to find an excellent real estate agent and why. Let’s move on to how to go about finding them!
Finding a Real Estate Agent You Can Depend On
While getting an agent can help you have a successful and stress-free home buying experience, it’s essential you choose a good one! Referrals are a great place to start!
Reach out to your family and friends and see if they can recommend someone. If you already found a suitable lender for your mortgage – something we can help you with, click here! – They can also be a great source for agent referrals. You can compile a short list of alternatives this way.
Once you have a few names on your shortlist, you can go about contacting and researching them.
Getting a Realtor® can be an advantage over a regular real estate agent. Also, finding an agent with a real estate broker license is also a plus, as it suggests they are highly educated on the subject.
However, when it’s all said and done, it’s essential you find an agent that respects you and makes you feel comfortable. Finding an agent that is loyal and trustworthy is worth more than any designation.
ProTip – Get Approved!
Most real estate agents prefer that you get approved first, as it helps them provide a better service! If you aren’t sure where to start, lets us help! Click here and get pre-approved today!
You’ve Found an Agent, Now What?
While each agent has their method, there are a few general things you can expect once you start the hunting process with one:
- You’ll spend some time discussing the details of what you are looking for, budget, target area, and search criteria.
- Your agent will send some listings your way for you to go over. Once you give your feedback, they’ll have a better idea of what you expect and they will refine their search.
- Eventually, they will set up showings for you to attend. It helps to keep an open schedule while you are hunting, as good agents move fast to prevent you from losing an opportunity.
- You’ll go to showings together until you are ready to make an offer. Then they will draft the offer letter and get the ball rolling!
Once you have the right real estate agent, you are in a much better footing to find the perfect home you’ve been looking for! Do not neglect this stage!
