When you hire a Realtor, you’re hiring a professional that is working for you to assist you in finding a home that fits not only what you need but also what you want. 

The first thing your agent will do is meet with you to find out exactly what you’re looking for in a home, help you narrow down an area to search, and advise you on the next steps towards that dream. Your agent will also talk to you about the expenses that are involved when buying a home. 

If you don’t already have financing, your realtor knows and works with several different lenders and knows of special options available depending on your situation. Some lenders have special deals for first responders, first time home buyers, teachers and military. If you have some hiccups in your background regarding finances, your realtor will even be able to send you to a lender that can help there as well. 

In our technology driven world, there are many ways to search for a property. Before technology was so prevalent, home listings were printed in a book that came out every two weeks. When a client wanted to shop for a new home, the book was brought out and you started flipping pages. 

Now, your agent has several tools available to help you in your home search including the ability to set up a saved search with all the details you have on your wish list for your future home. With this tool, every time a home is added to the MLS that matches your wish list, you’ll get an email and can then view the home online and decide if it is a home you would be interested in seeing in person. 

Your agent is very familiar with the areas they serve and will be able to tell you places to avoid due to crime, noise level, and traffic, just to name a few. 

When you find a home of interest, there are also documents that are listed with the MLS that only agents can see, that tell things about the property such as the age of the roof, AC, furnace, and hot water heater, as well as any foundation issues or other known problems. Does the home have an HOA? You’ll want to know what the HOA requires and their rules. 

Your agent could even start a dialogue with the listing agent of the home to find out what kind of interest there has been in the home so far. This is beneficial when/if you decide to make an offer on a home. There could be times your agent will help you put together your very best offer based on what they learn. 

When it gets down to all the paperwork, your agent will work to make sure you understand everything you are signing. There is a great deal of legal paperwork involved and it’s important that you understand what you’re signing.

If the owner of the home counters your offer with some changes, your agent will negotiate for you while working to get you the best deal. 

When your offer is accepted, your agent will then start lining up inspectors based on what you need or desire to have reviewed by a professional. If a problem is found, your agent will then negotiate the contract to either have the problem resolved before closing or have the price of the home dropped depending on the negotiation. 

Your agent will be with you each step of the way, will keep you informed in all areas and will celebrate with you when you find your perfect home and move in. 

Even after the move, your agent wants to still be a part of your home ownership journey. You might need a qualified, trusted provider for a home need, maybe you’re new to the area and need to find a doctor or a church. Maybe, down the line, you would like to know the value of your home and the possibility of looking for the next home. Your relationship with your agent doesn’t end at closing!