Bella Terra Buyer Guide
10 Benefits Of Working With A Real Estate Agent:
You can browse the internet for your next home, but purchasing a home is a different story. Working with a real estate agent can make a huge difference. A Buyers Guide agent will help you find the right home and guide you on the path to homeownership.
With millions of active real estate agents across the country, you can find one who complements your personality. This agent will help you get exactly what you need from your next (or first) home.
- THEY’LL GET YOU A BETTER PRICE
A real estate agent will help you get the most for your budget. They know when a home is priced well, too high, or too low for its neighborhood. Your agent aims for your purchase price to be a great investment, allowing you to reap financial benefits as a homeowner. They understand the value of different features and how this affects your finances. Best of all, your agent ensures you don’t overpay for your home or its neighborhood.
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THEY’LL SAVE YOU TIME
If you ever sat down at the computer to start your home search you are already aware of how long this process can take. Searching for homes can be an endless time-consuming game. Once an agent understands the specifics of what you’re seeking in a home, they can work to weed out anything that doesn’t match your criteria. Also, agents attend events and open houses all the time on behalf of their Buyers Guide, so they do not waste their buyer’s time. Working with a real estate agent is the best way to eliminate looking at homes that simply will not work for you.
- THEY HAVE ACCESS TO MLS
The Multiple Listing Service is one of the most effective communication tools in the home buying and selling marketplace. Unfortunately, you don’t always have access to it unless you work with a real estate agent. This isn’t to be confused with many of the online home search tools, as they don’t always contain all of the available listings which could hurt your search. The MLS is a powerful tool in the real estate industry that is designed to alert agents to things like open houses, new listing notifications and other useful tools to put you in the right place at the right time.
- THEY HAVE AN INNER PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
The real estate professional network is unlike any other business network that you might be familiar with. Real estate agents are consistently interacting with each other about properties and discovering hidden gems along the way. This is not an inner network of people that you are likely to travel in the same circles with, so having access to that network will prove to be incredibly valuable in your home buying pursuits. Don’t be afraid to ask your agent about some of the professional real estate associations they may be affiliated with within their industry.
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THEIR ETHICS AND EXPERTISE
The fundamental benefits of working with a Realtor include two main aspects: Ethics and Expertise. Voluntary adherence to a higher standard is crucial for the same reasons doctors take the Hippocratic Oath and attorneys are sworn to a Code of Ethics. Realtors are professional fiduciaries, guided by principals, responsibilities, and rules of conduct that prioritize the client while preserving the dignity of, and respect for, real estate as a profession.
Realtors demonstrate expertise in various ways, including locating homes that meet specific wants and needs, accurately pricing and valuing properties, understanding building codes, writing binding contracts, negotiating without emotional bias, and coordinating the necessary steps for a smooth closing. In what’s often the most significant purchase in one’s life, it’s critical to have an experienced Realtor by your side. Properly represented, you can expect to sell for more, buy for less, and avoid intensely consequential mistakes. (Source: Chris Kallin, SeattlebyDesign, Realogics | Sotheby’s International Realty)
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THEY KNOW THE LAY OF THE LAND
One of the best features of working with real estate agents is that they fully understand the city they work in. For you, this translates into market knowledge, neighborhood background and real estate insights you may not otherwise be privy to. This will come in handy when you have specifics about what kind of neighborhood you want to live in, how far you want to commute to work, or what kind of schools you want your kids to attend. For example, you might find a home that you really adore; an agent will be able to tell you more about the neighborhood as far as things like the quality of the schools, crime rates or pending commercial development.
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THEY KNOW THE MARKET
The real estate market is one that changes from week to week. Some changes are small like minor price fluctuations in a neighborhood, while others are more significant like interest rates. Each state, city and small municipality has their own real estate markets beyond what is happening on a national level. Real estate agents are constantly monitoring these changes for their Buyers Guide which keeps you informed of all of these volatile details so you can purchase your new home at the best possible time.
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THEY UNDERSTAND COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS
Real estate agents understand all of the complex processes that take place in a real estate transaction. For instance, the home inspection and being able to interpret unfamiliar details effectively to you. An agent will also understand communications from your loan officers and underwriters which will help you feel organized and highly aware of what is happening in your property transaction. As issues arise, or information is needed from you, your agent can quickly advise you on how to retrieve anything needed so your purchase can progress with less stress.
- THEY ARE MOTIVATED TO FIND YOU A HOME
Real estate agents are highly motivated individuals, as their success is predicated on their ability to find you a home. In short, if they do not help you buy the home of your dreams, they do not eat. Real estate agents don’t typically work off of any kind of salary, for the most part, they are independent contractors who control their own financial destiny. You can be confident knowing that your real estate agent is motivated to find you a property so you can truly live, happily ever after.
- YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE THEY ARE FREE!
When you hire a real estate agent to help you find your next (or first) home, you don’t make a financial investment. The seller pays all the fees upfront. You get a qualified professional representing you before you even place a dollar on the offer table. This person will work hard for you from the moment you sign the agent contract until you get the keys to your home.
We hope you are motivated to find the right real estate agent for your next transaction. Start by asking friends and family for referrals. Also, do some online research to find an agent who suits your personality or property needs. Some real estate professionals specialize in niches that might be helpful depending on the type of property you’re seeking.
Why Buyers Should Use A Buyers Guide Agent:
Home buyers should always have their own agent. Searching for the perfect home can be a very confusing process, especially for first time home buyers. Your mind will most likely be racing with all sorts of questions. What is my price range? Where should I be looking? How do I know how much to offer? What happens after my offer is accepted? Using a buyer’s agent will ensure that all of your questions are answered and put your mind at ease. Unfortunately, a lot of Buyers Guide make the mistake of calling the listing agent to show them homes that they are interested in. Here is why buyers should use a buyer’s agent:
The number one reason to use a buyer’s agent is because they are FREE! You do not have to pay a dime to hire a Buyers Guide agent. Just for that reason alone, why wouldn’t you use one? Most buyers assume that they will have to pay a fee to use an agent. However, in a residential real estate transaction, the seller pays the full commission which the listing agent and the buyer’s agent split. So, the service of a buyer’s agent is completely free for the buyer.
They Are Representing YOU And Your Best Interests
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The seller hires an agent to list their home, promote their best interests, and protect their confidences. So, why wouldn’t you want someone to do the same for you? When you hire a Buyers Guide agent, you benefit from the expertise and experience of a professional trained to find you the perfect home. And they will have your best interests in mind when submitting an offer, not the seller’s. They are there for you every step of the way. Typically, when you work with a buyer’s agent, you will sign a form outlining your relationship with the agent. This is called a Buyer’s Agency Agreement. Some of the responsibilities it outlines are: loyalty to the Buyers Guide, promoting the Buyers Guide best interests, and maintaining confidential information from the buyer.