Do I really need to work with a Realtor?
You can do your home search yourself, but why should you? Working with a Realtor will save you time and money. Why view dozens of unsuitable properties when a Realtor can help you since they are in the market every day. Some buyers think they will find a house more quickly if they use several Realtors. By working with one agent, you can build loyalty and trust with that Realtor and improve both the process and results.

How much home can I afford?
Before going out to look for a new home, you need to determine what you can afford to purchase. Many buyers get “pre-approved” by a mortgage company or bank prior to their search. Having this pre-approval in hand will also help when it comes time to make an offer.

There are many types of loans on the market with some requiring as little as a 3.5% down payment. Here’s another area where a good Realtor can help refer you to several trusted mortgage bankers that can walk you though the process. Most times you can get pre-approved with just a quick phone call.

Negotiating the Purchase
Here’s where your Realtor’s knowledge of the market will pay off for you. Your agent will run “comps” for the area of the home you want to make an offer on. Since the agent is representing you, they will structure the offer that is most beneficial to you such as the offer price, personal items that will remain with the house, closing date and amount of earnest money. This process can become very stressful when an agent is not involved which is why many For Sale By Owner deals fall apart over small issues.

Contract to Closing
Sometime it’s fairly easy to get two parties to agree to a contract. Getting it to closing can be a different story. Your agent will help you through the process of the home inspection, obtaining financing, getting an appraisal & survey, selecting a closing attorney and all of the others things that need to be handled to allow for a smooth closing. By this point, you will realize the agent has become not only a trusted advisor but a friend as well.