How Real Estate Agents Help First Time Home Buyers
Buying a home can be tricky. If you’ve never bought a home before, please visit with real estate agents that can guide you. A home is a big investment. So, start off by talking to realtors. These professionals help buyers zero-in on the best options, given the parameters, and help you achieve the best results.
Code of Ethics for Real Estate Agents
Realtors with the National Association of Realtors are bound by a code of ethics, enforceable by penalty. Honesty is king. If a property has a problem, your realtor® will make certain you know about it. He or she will also study to discern any false advertising associated with a property and look to understand if a home is over- or underpriced. In addition, real estate agents should be able to tell you if the property will hold its value.
Find Out Your Budget
Refrain from looking at properties until you’ve figured out your honest-to-goodness budget. In the meantime, get prequalified for a loan amount (unless you’re paying cash). Then decide what monthly payment you are comfortable with considering your other expenses.
Tell Your Realtor Your Needs
Now when you speak with your agent, you’ll know the price range of the properties to consider. Also bring a list of your five top priorities and five things on your wish list. For example, you may need 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, 1500 square feet of living area, and a big yard. How about a basement?
Do you need to be near your employment? While it would be nice to be within walking distance of an elementary school, would you be willing to use the bus or drive? Do you dream of a new and modern house, or do you want to be in a charming older home near downtown? How about a mother-in-law suite or a guest house?
At Cruikshank Realty, Inc. we’ll search for the perfect property and cut misfits. Our experienced team knows residential real estate and farm and ranch possibilities to broaden your horizons. We’ll make the experience of being a first-time homebuyer faster for you.
Realtors Offers Area Knowledge
Another benefit of working with a real estate agent comes from the person’s knowledge of the area. Our agents know small communities from the Front Range to Lamar and the outlying areas. Say you’re wanting a small farm but have not settled on a town. We’ll let you know about neighborhoods, community life, even soil quality and equestrian activities.
Realtors will know of properties not showing up in the MLS, often from colleagues who mention them. Occasionally, a seller will not want to publicly list his property for sale, often for personal reasons.
Finally, realtors know about codes and zoning. So, if you need to remodel or repurpose, the agent should be able to be sure you would be within local ordinances.
Realtors Negotiate
Qualified real estate agents will be negotiating from start to finish. Buyers often save money and headaches. Costs may be negotiated, and agents have an eye for problems and solutions. For example, is the title clear?
If a property needs repairs, the agent can recommend a good inspector and request repairs. Little repairs can be overlooked while others may be deal breakers. For example, mold. At times, buyers would rather the agent negotiate a lower price and they will take care of the repairs.
More importantly, being a step removed, real estate agents keep their cool during negotiations. They’re so cool they can take the frustration of the seller when dealing with points, closing, repairs, and other brass tacks.
Paperwork Unlimited
An organized professional can also help first-time homebuyers keep up with the multitude of documents needed for the transaction. Written offer, written and signed counteroffer, repair documents, sale inclusions. Agents can send and receive documents for the buyer and seller. Also, they likely keep records of the entire transaction for future reference.
SE Colorado Real Estate Agents
Call Cruikshank Realty, Inc. (719) 326-7802 or stop by our offices at 20 South Main Street, Lamar, Colorado.