An annual survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors tells us that nearly all home buyers start their home search online. Many consumers google 'homes for sale' or visit sites like Trulia or Zillow.
With home listings ubiquitous on the internet, some people may consider buying a home without using the services of a professional real estate agent.
That would be a mistake.
A local realtor understands current market conditions and home prices. Automated valuation tools like those found on real estate search sites can only serve as a starting point for assessing home values in a particular area.
A local realtor acting on behalf of a homebuyer can give real insight on home prices based on local, up-to-the-minute analysis of the market, and negotiate the best price and terms for you. And more … a LOT more!
Here are 50 things your buyer agent will do for you:
- Educate you about the home-buying process
- Help analyze your real estate needs and determine your home criteria
- Discuss your financing options
- Provide you with credit-counseling resources, if needed
- Recommend a qualified mortgage lender
- Send you listings that match your needs and wants
- Research homes for you
- Make appointments and show you homes
- Point out key features while showing homes — i.e. 'This home has the open kitchen you want but the bedrooms seem smaller than you were hoping.’
- Provide you with timely and professional information they’ve researched about homes you're interested in
- Help you review the pros and cons of each home you view
- Provide information on market conditions, schools, communities, employment, and more
- Provide information pertaining to your move or relocation and short-term stay options
- Get information on utilities and costs for the home you love
- Research the home's tax records
- Analyze your purchasing timeline and needs once your ideal home is located
- Call the listing agent to get the sellers’ disclosures and ensure they’ve been completed properly
- Help you analyze the price of a home in order for you to make an educated offer
- Provide verification of your loan approval to the listing agent
- Gather estimates of your costs
- Help answer loan-application questions
- Draft the offer and prepare all pertinent paperwork
- Explain all paperwork when you have questions before you sign
- Review and explain any counter offers to you
- Submit your contract and all other paperwork to the listing agent
- Negotiate the contract to help you win the home
- Instruct you where to take the earnest money deposit
- Follow up on the loan process with your selected mortgage lender
- Schedule a sewer line scope
- Schedule the home inspection
- Send the fully executed contract to the title company
- Send the fully executed contract to the lender
- Review home inspection findings with you and help you determine what items are critical for you to ask of the seller
- Negotiate any inspection requests
- Have the lender order the appraisal
- Verify the loan process is proceeding on time
- Monitor contingency deadlines — financing, home inspection, walkthrough, etc.
- Provide referrals to insurance agents
- Follow up with the lender on all aspects of the lending process
- Perform a final walk-through with you
- Verify you have a homeowner's insurance policy within the required timeframe
- Coordinate between lenders and the title company to determine the funds you need to bring to closing and inform you
- Verify the title company has all necessary documentation
- Schedule closing: time and place with the lender, title company, and you
- Explain everything you need to bring to closing
- Review the final closing documents
- Attend your closing appointment with you
- Give you the keys to your new home!
- Follow up after closing – ensure you’ve filed your homeowner’s exemption form with the proper authorities and that everything is going well with your new home
- Answer questions and provide guidance and advice for the entire time you own the home!
A few things that are important that aren’t on this list!
- Therapist — Talk you ‘off the ledge’ when you start to panic
- Marriage counselor — Buying a home can put a strain on relationships!
- Problem solver — Our job is to make it look smooth but it almost never is!
- Contractor — Provide vendor contacts to help with any improvements you want to make to your new home
- And a million other things going forward because now you are part of our community!
If you have any questions about how we can help you or a friend or family member with your home purchase, please give us a call at (208) 327-2127!
