What Home Buyers Need To Know

This is really important. If you're a current home buyer or will be soon, you'll be out in the market doing many things. Here are are some or all of the actions you'll be taking and I'll address what you should consider doing and not doing:

• Attending open houses alone
• Calling on yard signs to get prices or information
• Talking with different agents about different properties
• Going online and asking questions
• Filling out online forms using your contact information
• Looking at for sale by owners
• Looking through newspapers or outdated websites for homes
• Talking to online mortgage lenders or filling out forms

If you're doing any of the above and you don't have an agent you're working with, you're wasting your gas money, time and energy. If you DO have an agent you're working with, you should not be doing many of these things. Never feel like you're being a burden on your Realtor, ever. Find an agent to work with now, not later. Find one that fits you and your needs. A good agent who will do everything for you. Many new home buyers feel they don't want to get involved with an agent and they just want to look around first. That's a bad move.

When you go to open houses alone or call about a property using the yard sign or internet ad, you're going to be giving your information to the listing agent. This agent represents the seller, not you as the buyer. It's like discussing your legal case to the opposing legal side, you wouldn't.

For Sale By Owners can be tricky. You're really doing everything on your own. Unless you're educated about the purchase agreement, all legalities and forms you'll need along with having the proper network of qualified professionals on your side, you could be in trouble. Your Realtor can provide you with good title companies, help you negotiate, go over all your contracts and tell you the history of the home and it's real value. Your Realtor may or may not be able to assist you with a For Sale By Owner so talk with your agent first before making all those calls and appointments.

It's imperative to always discuss properties of interest with your Realtor and make private showings with your Realtor present. The other side will use anything they can to negotiate on behalf of their seller. This means if they know how much you're pre-qualified for, or your motivation, it can all be used against you. If you walk into an open house or see a property with the seller's Realtor, you actually may not be able to have your agent represent you afterward. Never even have a conversation with the seller's agent.

If you've picked up a home selling magazine or newspaper, the majority of the homes listed in them are outdated. Some of the homes have a different price, are already sold or have changed status. It's a waste of your time! You may decide to start driving around to these homes and checking them out only to find they're no longer available and you've wasted a tank of gas. If you start calling the numbers listed on the ads, you're also going to get a massive amount of agents calling you back and drilling you for information. I certainly wouldn't want that, would you?

While we'd love to have the opportunity to work with you as we specialize in home buyers, I suggest you always find an agent you like. You're entitled to call an agent or meet with them in their office before deciding to work with them. Don't feel like a bother, ever. If an agent gives you any inclination of being too busy to work with you or makes you feel in anyway uncomfortable, end it there. Here's a list of what your buyer agent should be doing for you. This is a big deal. You're buying a home! It should be fun, stress-free and as easy as possible. Your agent should be your advocate and take care of all the behind the scenes work for you.

Please be careful with the loan you choose and who you deal with. I can't stress this enough. There are so many fly-by-nights out there in the mortgage industry. Giving your information to just anyone can greatly harm your credit score and your future mortgage payment. Avoid predatory lending and make sure you're working with a reputable lender and someone your gut says it's okay to work with.

While you may be anxious to start getting into properties and shopping around, the first step when buying a home? Find a good agent to work with then go shopping with your agent. Contact us anytime, we'd be happy to assist you.