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Selecting a Realtor

The Realtor you select should:

o       Pre-select homes that are within your price range and meet your requirements for size, location, etc.

o       Schedule appointments for you to see homes, even when the owners are not there.

o       Give you current selling prices for houses similar to the ones you are considering.

o       Get up-to-date information about taxes, school districts, and conditions in the areas that interest you.

o       Handle negotiations over the price and terms of your offer.

o       Arrange for a home inspection, a necessary step in buying a home.

What should you look for in a Realtor?

o       Knowledge about local communities

o       Experience

o       Patience

o       Full access to the area’s multiple listing service (MLS) The MLS gives you the listings of all sellers, not just those represented by your Realtor’s company

o       Ability to understand your wants, needs, and personal tastes

o       Honesty and trustworthiness

o       Willingness to keep you informed of changes in the market, without trying to push you into buying before you are ready.

Once you find the home you want, you should negotiate the terms of your offer. Your Realtor will help you determine what to include.

Before making an offer...

o       Get recent selling prices of similar homes in the area to justify your offer price.

o       Research the property. How long has it been on the market? Why is it being sold?  What are its good and bad points? Doing your homework will help you make an offer that meets the needs of both buyer and seller.

o       Talk with neighbors to get information about the neighborhood.

o       Consider the home’s resale value.

o       Negotiate the offer price and other items to be covered in the offer before you sign any formal papers.

When your offer is formally accepted, you sign a purchase agreement, which is a legal contract.