To begin with, make a list of your “Needs and Wants” in descending priority order.  The more definitive and realistic the priority list is, the better chance your Agent has of finding your dream home.  Have reasonable expectations about compromising on some of the features you would like – the absolutely perfect dream home may not exist.  This list will help your Realtor greatly narrow the search which will result in saved time and disappointments for you.

At the earliest stages of house hunting get in touch with a mortgage lender.  Meeting with a lending professional and getting  pre-qualified will determine a price range that is both suitable and possible for you.  Until this is known, house hunting can result in devastating disappointment by shopping in an unrealistic price range.  Better yet is getting pre-approved and having your loan ready to go when the home is found that you would like to purchase.  The seller will feel a lot more comfortable with an offer from a pre-qualified or pre-approved buyer than they would with a buyer who hasn’t been to the bank yet – unless you can pay cash!

Select a full-time Agent with whom you are compatible, develop open and good communication with that person and stick close to them.  Working with several agents at the same time is unfair to all parties concerned and can actually work against your best interests as a potential homeowner.  As Agents, we all use the same basic sources of information, including the Multiple Listing.  The idea that working with several Agents at the same time will help uncover your dream home is not true.  You will more than likely waste time covering the same ground and your “Agents” will waste time researching property that you have already seen.

Listen carefully to the suggestions of your Agent when becoming serious about a particular home.  Read and discuss thoroughly with your Agent the disclosure statements on the home and obtain inspections from qualified professionals.  Your Agent should be able to supply you several professionals names that you can contact.

Be sure you understand your rights and obligations set out in the Offer to Purchase and Contract.  It is very important to completely understand the terms and conditions of the legally binding Offer to Purchase and Contract.  Wrong assumptions, poorly written or missing clauses, and not understanding how the clauses affect the purchase, can lead to increased costs or a void contract.  An experienced REALTOR® can thoroughly explain the agreement to you and help you to fulfill your contractual obligations.

Remember – there’s no such thing as a dumb question!

Be sure you understand “Agency”.  Law requires that all Agents disclose to their clients and customers exactly whom they represent:  the Buyer, the Seller or both.  Please have a serious conversation with your Agent regarding “Agency”.  Discuss the pros and cons of “Buyer Brokerage”, etc. 

Don’t let emotion blind reason.  Buying a home is an exciting and stressful time and is usually an emotional decision.  It is important that those emotions be validated by facts and reason.  An experienced Agent will help to remove the emotion from the negotiating process and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

The experience of buying a home can be thoroughly enjoyable if the buyer and the agent work together as a co-operative team.  If you are considering purchasing a home at this time or in the near future, we would appreciate the opportunity of meeting with you to see how we match up!

Gary & Candi Grant ... in Touch with the Heartbeat of Real Estate©

Back to Home Page