As a Buyer
If you are ready to buy a home, you can start the process with confidence. No one can sell a home without a buyer and you have a big team behind you wanting you to succeed from the seller, the real estate agents, the lender, the inspector, the title company to all of the businesses ready to help you in your home purchase.
As the real estate rules are changing and more options are available to the consumers, it is important for buyers to know the responsibilities they have as they start their journey to home ownership. Home ownership is a big step and one that creates new responsibilities and new security. No question should ever seem trivial, a house cannot take care of itself, but the rewards are significant.
First steps for every buyer.
Examine your finances and schedule a meeting with a lender. You must tell them everything you know. It is like going to a doctor, there is little they have not seen so don't forget to mention everything you can think of. There are always solutions if addressed head on.
Once you know your buying power, or decide how much you want to invest, start examining the lifestyle you want in your new home.
Price Range
home features, yard, pool, garage space
location
condition
schools
medical access,
shops, restaurants, parks
commute
Discuss with your agent and your lender the costs of home ownership, taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
Find an agent who will make your purchase so much easier. The new rules for signing a buyer's representation agreement can be scary but it does not have to be. You can attend an open house without an agent, the open house agent can answer questions you may have about the house. You can call the listing agent if you want to see a house. When you are ready to sign with a buyer's agent, take the time to ask all the questions you have, ask every “what if” question you may have. Your agent's fee can be part of the submitted contract. Everyone is fighting for you to get your offer accepted the way it works for you. You will be part of the negotiation. You have choices and you make the decisions. There are always a lot of unknowns when you make an offer, will they accept my offer, will they pay for any repairs, and will they pay for my agent’s commission? Always remember, all fees are negotiable.
Make your best offer knowing that only you can decide what works for you.
Agents are being flooded with scripts to convince buyers to sign the buyers’ representation agreements. We at MRE and ADVISORS believe that education, transparency and accountability are the only scripts needed.