Thinking of buying? What's the next step? Here are some Tips to successfully find your Dream Home… So read on, make some notes, and for additional assistance, e-mail us today!
Home buying can really be a fun experience. The first step is finding a Professional
Realtorâ
. Much like hiring an accountant or an attorney,
its important to have a strong professional representing your best interests.
BUYER REPRESENTATION / BUYER
AGENCY: Did you know historically the agent showing you homes worked for
the Seller? This was true even when the
seller had his or her own "Listing" agent. Well times have changed and in most states, including Georgia, the
Buyer can have the agent represent them and protect the Buyer's interests in
the transaction. The beauty of this is
(in most states) there is NO COST for this
service. The commission, paid by the
Seller, pays your agent too. An
additional benefit is a Buyer's Agent can show you ALL the available homes
including those with other Brokers, For Sale By Owner or New Homes by Builders.
So begin your
Realtorâ
search by seeking out an agent who can and
will represent you!
ONE STOP SHOPPING: The home
buying process involves many participants including; real estate agents,
lenders, home inspectors, appraisers, warranty companies, attorneys, title
examiners and others. Smooth transactions
require a well-coordinated team. A top
notch Realtorâ
pulls it all together by identifying professionals in
each area so you can focus on what matters to you… Finding the best home for you and your family.
REALTORâ
QUALIFICATIONS: There are
literally thousands of real estate agents seeking your business. How can you choose the right one? The answer is simple… Seek Experience
as measured by Performance, not Longevity. Look for a professional with the following
criteria:
1) A consistent record of Two or
More Sales Each Month. There is
no substitute for the experience gained by doing hundreds of transactions.
2) Experience and Knowledge of
the Area(s) you are considering.
3) A Balance of Buyer and Seller
Transactions to be sure they can advise you about the future salability
of properties you consider.
Don’t make the classic
mistake of hiring an agent simply because you know them or they live in your
neighborhood…
First make sure they’re Qualified! This is a
big investment so take time to compare Experience and Services.
LOAN QUALIFICATION: Now that you’ve
selected your Realtorâ
, the next step is determining the appropriate Price
Range. Start by contacting recommended
Lender(s) and within a 10-minute telephone conversation you'll learn how much
home you qualify for and get an accurate estimate of the monthly payments.
LOAN PRE-APPROVAL: After
selecting a Lender, make your Loan Application right away, even before you
begin house hunting. A Realtorâ
armed with a "Pre-Approved"
Buyer is in a much better negotiating position to get you the lowest possible
price.
What’s more, it’s not unusual for multiple Buyers to bid on the same
home at the same time. Which Buyer do
you think the Seller will be more interested in… The one “Pre-Approved” or the one who hasn’t made their loan
application yet?
YOUR HOUSING REQUIREMENTS: Make a list
of your requirements. If you own a home
currently, begin with columns listing the likes and dislikes of your current
home. Identify which features you wish
to repeat and which you wish to change. Next make a list of the Required and the Desired features in your
next home. A top producing Realtorâ
knows the market and can quickly tell you if your
objectives are realistic and achievable.
INSPECTION & HOME WARRANTIES: Whether
you're buying New Construction or a Resale
ALWAYS
have the home Professionally Inspected to identify possible defects. Many new and resale home sellers offer a Home
Warranty paid for by the seller. Home
warranties have saved our clients thousands of dollars. Your Realtorâ
can identify quality inspectors and warranty
companies for your consideration.
CLOSING / ESCROW: Last, but not
least, we reach the Closing or Escrow. With
a good team of players on your side, the Closing should be smooth and trouble
free. A quality Realtorâ
will regularly communicate with all the parties
including You, the Lender, Closing Attorney, Title Company, etc. to make sure any
problems are identified early and resolved long BEFORE the Closing Date. When interviewing agents, ask about their
Post Contract follow up. We have a Closing Coordinator on staff whose job is simply to
monitor the transaction from Contract to Closing. Thanks to our Closing Coordinator over 99%
of our transactions are successfully Closed
If
you've read this far, you're serious about buying so let us help you
further. If you're in Metro-Atlanta,
call (770.971.0025) or email us to
set up a Home Buying Requirements meeting. If you're in any other state, email us and we will identify the top
Realtorsâ
in your area just for visiting our page. Thanks for stopping by.