In my last blog, we explored the reasons to use a REALTOR® when selling your home. Let’s imagine you’ve done so – your house is sold! Now let’s talk about using a REALTOR® to buy your next place. With Zillow and other tools at your fingertips, searching existing inventory on your own and from the comfort of your existing home has never been easier – but in today’s competitive market, having a partner to help you navigate the buying process is critical to ensure you find the home you want, the price you need to achieve, AND get through the process swiftly and easily. Here are the top reasons why using a REALTOR® makes sense.
1. Even MORE options. While your online search will net you a long list of properties, a REALTOR® can use tools like the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to not only find ALL the options in your preferred price range and location but others that you might not have access to on your own. This might include listings in your most desired area that haven’t hit the market yet or aren’t publicly advertised – your REALTOR® can find those faster than you can. A REALTOR® can also work with you on For Sale by Owner properties (some buyers find these properties scary – but you will feel safer with a REALTOR® partner.)
2. Market insights. Google will help you find out the basics about a neighborhood or a property, but your REALTOR® will have even more sophisticated tools for understanding the markets you are interested in. Using real-time trends and data, they can help you dig deeper into things like taxes, school systems, comparable buy/sell histories, etc. to enable your decision-making around value and opportunity.
3. Time. You have a life, a family, a job. Researching, viewing, and deciding between homes takes time. And in today’s market, a house you toured yesterday could be gone by today. Your REALTOR® has a job too – and that job is YOU. They can do the legwork for you, freeing up your time to see only the houses that meet your must-haves, and asking questions and seeking second opinions on your questions.
4. Objectivity. Just as we discussed in the selling process, buying a home can also be tremendously emotional. It’s hard to remain objective in the face of love at first sight! Similarly, it can be tricky to separate facts from assumptions when viewing towns, neighborhoods, and properties you haven’t experienced yet. A REALTOR® focuses on facts and can find the answers you’ll need to make an informed vs. a “gut” decision.
5. Vision. Anyone who has watched HGTV knows that a badly decorated or staged home can be hard to imagine in a more polished state. This is where a professional can help you to see the possibilities. REALTOR®s have seen it all – and understand the options for making a “home in need” look like your dream. Part of my professional experience is staging and organizing – I love to share ideas and best practices that help my clients imagine a refreshed space.
6. All hands on deck. Before you close on your new home, you will need other partners to help. Right away you’ll want a home inspector and wood-destroyingg organism inspector to help you make the go/no-go decision. Your REALTOR® can connect you to both – and you’ll be “borrowing” their expertise in choosing the right partners for your purchase. After that, you might need contractors including movers, plumbers, electricians, painters, landscapers, and decorators – your REALTOR® will not only have a list of names, but they will have first- or second-hand experience with each – less risky than relying on an internet search.
7. Negotiations. It’s a complicated market. You may find a home that is over-priced and not worth what the seller is asking – a REALTOR® can help you understand your “sweet spot” in terms of making an offer. Conversely, you may fall for a house that is hot on the market and requires a slightly higher offer to compete with other bidders. Once again, a REALTOR® partner can help you negotiate without making a costly mistake.
8. Closing the deal. We’ve all heard the expression The job isn’t complete until the paperwork is done.” Never is that more true than in real estate! And the list of complicated legal documents expands all the time. Your REALTOR® takes specialized training in the super complex worlds of closing, inspections, appraisals, and disclosures and can advise you every step of the way. No one wants to sign something without knowing what it really means. Your REALTOR® knows – and it’s their job to help make it clear to you too.
9. After the sale. What if day two in your new home doesn’t match the expectations you had on day one? Your REALTOR® can still help! If you encounter unexpected issues, need more advice, or need recommendations and referrals, your REALTOR® partner will be there to assist you. Most REALTORS® WANT a relationship with you vs a simple transaction – after all, you may want to sell this house one day and they’d love to represent you again!
If you still aren’t sure whether you need a REALTOR® to help you buy your next house, why not meet with me to discuss your goals? As a professional REALTOR®, I am bound to tell you the truth, openly share my process and your costs, AND help you envision the future that we can find together as partners. I’d love to work with you!
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