THE IMPORTANCE OF A REAL-ESTATE AGENT

When looking to buy or sell a house, many people try to go without a real-estate agent. This decision may seem like a "money saving" step, but it could actually end up costing you thousands of dollars in the end, even though you feel like you're saving money. An agent could also save you from making severe mistakes or stressful situations caused by contract negotiations,contingencies, and other situations that you are not prepared to deal with. A real-estate agent will handle the following issues when you are buying or selling your home, as well as handle many other duties, that should make your buying or selling of a home easier on you.

Buying a Home

Your agent will:

- help you in finding your range thatyou, as a buyer, will be comfortable in purchasing. They will lookat the amount you are able to borrow, what your income provides, andwhat you have saved already. From this point, they can also directyou to a lender who is best suited to help you.

- investigate the market using differentsearch methods in order to come up with the best homes that fit yourdesired descriptions. That may include school location, joblocation, house size, house style, features, andlocation.

-negotiate on your behalf. Negotiating ismore than just talking numbers. There are many factors involved,which your agent is used to dealing with. Because your agent isfamiliar with this process, his/her tactics will be better suited ingetting the house down to the best price, according to your rangethat was established using your income, down payment, and lendingresources available to you. They will make offers and counteroffersin order to keep the home in your price range.

-be responsible in providing services foryour home (future) inspection of such things as; termites, radontesting, structure, septic and/or well tests, dry rot, lead testing,etc. This does not mean that they pay for these important tests. Itsimply means that they will look out for your best interests inarranging or helping to arrange these tests.

-walk you through the final piece, whichis known as the "closing" and make sure that everything is takencare of before your purchase is finalized. This would include thetests that were done to your house-which should include written orprinted reports for your ease of mind as documentation that theywere done.

Selling a Home

Your agent will:

-advertise your property to other agentsand possible buyers searching the MLS (multiple listingservice)

-provide peace of mind as you continue todo the many other things that your life involves. Whether it belooking for a new home to buy, pack, or continue in your daily lineof work, your agent will take care of all the critical parts thatinvolve selling your home.

-schedule times for showings, openhouses, walk throughs, appraisals, etc.

-provide you with information regardingthe market, proper pricing, financing, and what other propertiesthat are similar, are for sale as well. (This is good to be aware offor your negotiating purposes. This will either make your propertymore valuable, or force you to change your "market price". Youragent may also provide a time frame in which your house will besold, or they will buy it from you. However, this is not common forall agents.

-answer questions that arrive during theselling and closing process. Each potential buyer may have thingsthat they would like inspected, repaired, or adjusted (including theprice). Your agent will best be able to answer each question andwork with you in reaching a reasonable agreement for each questionor issue.

-market or advertise your house to thebest of their ability using their marketing strategies. Real-estateagents are trained with knowledge in marketing tactics. They alsoshould have a good client base already established, therefore, muchof your possible buyers may come your way by word of mouth. Youragent will most likely have a website established as well, whichmeans that your listing is probably going to be posted on his/hersite.

-evaluate each potential buyer on whetherthey are qualified or not. When a buyer comes forward with a bidthat meets your requirement, your agent will begin the process ofselling your home. This is not a simple 1-2-3 process, so be awarethat it may take longer than you expected.

-draw up a contract for the prospectivebuyer, as well as negotiate, making offers andcounteroffers.

-assist you with contingencies based onthe contract that was drawn up. This may include repairs,inspections, installation, clean up, etc.