How Can an Agent Help Me Buy a Home?
Buying a home can be an overwhelming process. From financing to
negotiating to closing, there are a lot of moving pieces that can leave
homebuyers bewildered.
A real estate agent can help guide you
through each step of the buying process, offering sound advice along the
way. By working with a professional agent who knows the ins and outs of
the real estate industry, you’ll not only end up with a great home, but
you’ll also walk away with a great experience.
Here are some of the key areas that an agent can help you with:
Getting pre-approved by a lender
By
providing your real estate agent with some basic information about your
income, savings, and debt, he or she can assist you in getting
pre-approved by a reputable lender. The lender will then go over your
financing options, what monthly payment amount you can afford, and what
you can expect for down payment requirements and closing costs.
Choosing a home
For
most buyers, choosing a home is an emotional process. An agent can
assist you in this process by offering objective information about each
property you look at. From local community information like schools and
zoning to home-specific details like condition and amenities, an agent
can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Making an offer
Once
you’ve found the home of your dreams, an agent will research recent
comparable sales of similar homes in the area to help determine a fair
selling price. Based on those comparable sales, as well as other factors
like inspections and repairs, an agent will then help you structure an
offer and negotiate to get the very best deal possible.
Closing
Closing,
or settlement, can be a complicated process. In some areas, the escrow
or title company handles the closing process, while in other areas an
attorney handles it. Regardless of where you’re buying, a real estate
agent can help ensure that everything goes smoothly.
