Finding a home to purchase through online searching is becoming easier and easier. You type in your criteria, you find a home you love, and you schedule a showing. Who are you scheduling that showing with? Is it the listing agent who is also representing the seller? Is it an agent who doesn’t even live in the area and refers out their leads? Though it may seem easy to do on your own, hiring a real estate agent to represent YOU is important and holds many benefits. In your corner, you have someone to help you search, represent you, handle the leg work, and walk you through what is usually a very complicated transaction. All at no cost to you.
One of the many benefits of having a steady real estate agent is having potential access to properties that may not be listed yet. Therefore, it is important to hire someone who is familiar with the area and is well-informed. Once your agent understands exactly what you are looking for, they can deliver better than any site out there. Whether it’s a house that hasn’t hit the market yet or a house that you’re simply just overlooking, your customized search will source straight from the local MLS and your REALTOR®’s inside scoop.
Once you do find that perfect home, it’s notably important to have a strong representation to help you put in the offer. There is much more to a deal than just negotiating a price. Contingencies play a huge role in most transactions and almost always protect the buyer. Along with contingencies come deadlines and the headaches of finding local professionals to trust. This is when your REALTOR® really springs into action. They work with home inspectors, mold inspectors, septic inspectors, appraisers, and other professionals daily. They can send you to someone you know you can trust and will be sure to have everything scheduled to meet your deadlines.
Once they navigate you through the negotiations, the scheduling, and repairs, they will coordinate your closing. If you are going through a lender, they will likely communicate with your lender to make sure all ends are being met and you are scheduled to close on time. They will coordinate with the closing attorney to confirm that all title work has been ordered and cleared and there are no major hiccups that need to be addressed. A lot can happen to prevent a deal from closing and I guarantee you that your agent will do everything in their power to prevent that from happening.
When it comes to hiring a real estate professional, you want to make sure you’re confident with whom you have chosen. It’s important to have a good relationship with this person, as they will be handling one of the most expensive transactions you will ever make. Be comfortable enough to ask them any questions and make sure they’re in it for the right reasons. You should never feel rushed or persuaded to purchase a home you aren’t totally sure about. You may not be paying them, but they are getting paid to do their due diligence once that deal closes. Be proud of whom you have representing you and be loyal to them as well. Let them work hard for you and trust what they advise you. Until next week!
Eve Leombruno, 2023 MBOR President
