SPECIAL SECTION:
Real Estate
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 the inspection 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.
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1. BUYING:
Is buying always the better option over renting?
This is a debate often discussed within the real estate
market and the answer depends on a variety of variables
including location, financials and length of time in the
home. In general, it is advised to purchase a home if you
plan to spend more than two years there. Not sure how long
you’ll be in your home? Find the break-even point between
renting and buying to help guide your decision.
2. BUYING:
Be sure you can afford more than just
the mortgage.
Getting preapproved for a mortgage gives the buyer a
sense of how much house he or she can afford, but don’t
presume this figure to be your only monthly payment. Keep
in mind costs that may not be as evident, such as utility bills,
taxes, homeowners association dues, mortgage insurance
and money needed to furnish your home. On top of that,
consider closing costs (about 3-5 percent of the cost of
your home) and the potential of paying private mortgage