Checking Out the Homes

There are many ways to launch your search for a new home. You can go it alone or choose to use an agent. Just know that your choice will determine your ultimate success. You want to buy a home. You know you need some help so, like a smart consumer, you have turned to the Internet to find out what you need to know. You are controlling your own destiny. Of course, there is no reason you can't do both. Check out the Internet and call an agent.

Agent Assist

Chances are you should use someone to represent you. You have to ask yourself if you really have the time and resources to do the job yourself. Even with the help of the Internet, you may have a rough time of it alone. Don't get ahead of yourself. Buying your first home is a big step. You are doing the right thing to learn everything you can about the process, but a professional, experienced Real Estate agent can help you avoid the mistakes that are not obvious. Real Estate agents can also help you understand some of the more confusing things that you will have to go through in the process of becoming a homeowner, such as:

Guiding you through the buying process

As you know the first step in the buying process is finding out how much you can buy. An agent can help you determine this. They also have contacts with a variety of lenders who can help pre-approve you for a loan.

Finding the house

An agent has access to homes�far more than you can find on your own driving through neighborhoods or looking on the Internet. A professional agent will know what houses are available in your area. They will have access to the MLS (multiple listing service), a local listing of all of the houses that are for sale (and listed by other agents) and how much the owners are asking for their homes. In most cases, they will have visited many of the homes and will know if it suits your needs without another trip. This can save you a lot of time.

Selecting the right house

This is an agent's forte. They can assist you by providing objective information about the house that you may not have thought about on your own. This includes things like when the roof was last replaced and the age of the furnace. It could also include little amenities you would miss on your quick run through. It is easy to get distracted by fancy wallpaper and miss the big picture. An agent can help keep you on track.

Negotiating

Real estate deals are full of negotiating factors. You can try to negotiate for points, price, and even curtains. An agent knows what is up for negotiation and what is not. Your agent can help you include clauses in the purchase agreement that make the sale contingent upon passing certain inspections and investigations of the property. Your agent can help guide you to the right inspections, which can save you money.

Closing on a Home...

Page 10 of 13