Finding a trustworthy buyer's agent is necessary when buying a home, no matter how experienced you are. REALTORS® have personal connections, knowledge of the local market and invaluable negotiating skills. Most importantly, they can provide insight into helping you determine what you want in a home.
Point you in the right direction to get Pre-Approved for a Loan.
A good REALTOR® will have established relationships with many lenders or mortgage brokers that you connect you with. Usually, they will know exactly what paperwork or documentation you will need before you even meet with the lender. Having all that information beforehand can make the process much easier and more efficient.
Help you Find Your Dream Home.
A good REALTOR® will be invaluable in helping you find a home that meets your needs and fits your budget. They have been through the process many times before and know what to look for. Before you start looking, an astute agent will talk with you and figure out what is important to you and less critical. They help you narrow your list of priorities, such as nearby schools, the right neighbourhood, and property type.
Negotiate an Offer
Making an offer on a house is both an art and a science. To do it right, one needs to know what is going on in the market, something that is difficult or impossible to do unless you are immersed in it full-time. You certainly don't want to offer an amount too high, and the seller will ignore a number too low as it will seem you are not serious about buying. A good agent will make an offer high enough to get the seller's attention, but it will still be a good deal for you.
Get the Home Inspected
Your REALTOR® will be able to schedule a home inspection and will likely be there for the inspection. Depending on how the inspection goes, your agent will be able to negotiate properly with the seller to get any needed repairs completed and paid for by the seller before closing. These negotiations can get quite complex, and having an experienced agent on your side will be valuable.
Ensure a Smooth Closing
There are many details to go through before and during closing. An experienced agent will handle all the paperwork and ensure things go smoothly. Things like property taxes, water, and other utilities, transferring funds to and from escrow and updating the deed to your name all must be completed correctly. Your agent is experienced in all these things and will ensure everything is noticed.
Never Send You a Bill
One of the most important reasons to use the services of an outstanding agent is that for all the value they provide you, and as much as they will help you, they will never send you the bill afterwards. In the real estate industry, the commissions for both REALTORS® come from the house's sale price, so in essence, it is the seller, not the buyer, who pays for both agents.
