REAL ESTATE SPECIAL SECTION
Importance of a Local Real Estate Agent
You wouldn’ t undergo surgery without a surgeon, or do a root canal without a dentist, so why would you buy or sell a house without a real estate agent? Agents have in-depth knowledge of local communities, an insider’ s view of the real estate market, and early access into listings that go on the market. By having a real estate agent on your team, you can take full advantage of these perks when trying to buy or sell a home!
Moving into a new community? A real estate agent is familiar with the lay of the land— from what the neighborhood is like, to the local hotspots. He / she will be able to guide you in the decision that best fits your ideal location and wish list. Making a move into a new neighborhood or town with kids makes a real estate agent even more necessary. Agents can provide an inside look into school districts, sports teams and available extracurricular activities that could be a game-changer for you and your family.
Having an agent as an insider into all things local is just one benefit. With access to other real estate professionals, such as mortgage lenders, home inspectors, attorneys and title companies, agents are valuable in streamlining the process of making a transaction. They also have access to the multiple listing service( MLS) to provide you with information on available homes. Access to the MLS is restricted to licensed agents and brokers, providing them with a wealth of knowledge that they can then pass along to you. This includes information that sellers don’ t necessarily list on public sites, such as square footage, seller disclosures and HOA regulations.
Armed with facts from the MLS, including comparable listings in the area, real estate agents can negotiate on your behalf. They are able to develop an offer that reflects market value, while still staying within certain budgetary guidelines. Once these offers are reviewed, agents can make recommendations from inspections on repair costs and how to appropriately counter an offer.
If you are in the market to buy or sell, start by doing some research on a real estate agency that is right for you. Have new neighbors? Ask who their agents were. They obviously did a good job of selling your neighborhood to buyers. If referrals aren’ t available, look for a local office in your neighborhood or in the neighborhood where you’ re interested in moving. The agency can offer guidance and support throughout the entirety of your home buying or selling process.
3. Agent.
Having a real estate agent in your corner for a firsttime purchase is key. Agents will not only help you navigate the home-buying process, but can also be a valuable resource for an inside look at new homes that go on the market. This gives buyers the opportunity to view homes that may not have made it onto real estate websites for public viewing.
4. Location.
Your dream house may not be in your dream location, and your dream location may not have your dream house. Don’ t get stuck in a rut if you’ re not seeing everything you want in your price range. Typically, you’ ll need to make some compromises with your first home. Keep a few non-negotiables in your back pocket, but otherwise be open to the idea of putting some of your own upgrades and changes into a home that may not have everything on your wish list.
5. Home.
Don’ t get stuck in the mindset that you should spend every dollar that you qualify for in your mortgage. This could lead to bigger problems down the road. Look in the market under your max budget and be creative when looking at homes for ways to make improvements or changes that better fit your needs. A little bit of sweat equity can go a long way and will give the home your own personal touch.
6. Offer.
Once you’ ve found a house you want to call“ home,” work with your real estate agent to come up with an offer the seller can’ t refuse. Whether the house needs some improvements or it’ s a hot buy on the market, your agent can guide you into making a serious offer to the seller. If you’ re feeling passionate about the home, write the seller a letter explaining why you’ re the best buyer for the home. These touches can sometimes be the difference between getting the house of your dreams, or losing it to another buyer.
7. Moving.
You’ ve done it! You’ ve purchased your first home. Now that you have a mortgage to pay, keep in mind some money-saving tips, like asking your closest family and friends to help you move! A little pizza can go a long way when looking for some extra help. Make a plan for those personal touches to add to your home. Test out paint colors in each room to make sure you like the color in the daylight. Purchase furniture after making detailed measurements( you don’ t want to come home with something that doesn’ t fit!). Add some curb appeal as a finishing touch and as a way to meet your new neighbors!
30 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags. com