Step 2 Of The 8 Steps To Home Ownership Is Hire Your Agent

8 Steps To Home Ownership

From last weeks blog the first step in buying a new home is Decide to Buy. This week we will discuss hiring your agent.

Step 2: Hire Your Agent

In today's complex world it seems that everything is complicated. And buying a home is no different. Your real estate agent will wear several hats and perform several roles at the same time. There are seven main roles of a real estate agent. These are:

1.     Educates you about the market.
2.     Analyzes your wants and needs.
3.     Guides you to homes that fit your criteria.
4.     Coordinates the work of other needed professionals.
5.     Negotiates on your behalf.
6.     Checks and double checks paperwork and deadlines.
7.     Solves any problems that may arise.

First and foremost your agent will serve as your market consultant. Look for an agent who listens and then clearly communicates information that makes sense to you. Look also for an agent that has a good grasp of the local inventory, and what homes should sell for in different areas.

After orienting you to your market, your agent will help you analyze exactly what you are looking for. Your agent will guide you to homes that meet your criteria and as many of your wants as possible. For many first-time buyers, the process is overcast by fear of the unknown. A good agent will be knowledgeable about the process and be able to explain all of the details to you. They should also be sensitive to your fears and concerns. One of my favorite sayings to use with my clients is “let me do your worrying for you.”

Coordinating the transaction with other professionals is similar to the role of a general contractor building a home. There will be an escrow officer, title professional, lender, house inspector, termite inspector, etc, etc, etc… Coordination of all these details is paramount to the success of your real estate transaction. Your agent’s role as a negotiator kicks in from the moment you make an offer on a home, and it doesn’t stop until you’ve taken ownership and everything is settled.

As a skilled negotiator, your agent will always represent your interests and push hard for the best deal without pushing so hard that the deal is killed. If things do get tense, your agent will serve as a buffer between you and the seller or the seller’s agent, always remaining cool headed and logical while exploring different options to find the win-win. Throughout the closing process, a myriad of details will be resolved behind the scenes. Your agent will constantly check to see that time lines are met, paperwork is completed, updates have been filed, and the important steps are completed. Almost without fail, there will be problems. Your agent will prevent them when they can be anticipated, and solve them when they are unforeseen.

Most importantly, professionalism is the quality that matters above all else. Trust and security in the hands of the right service provider are well placed, and for you well deserved. The right real estate agent for you understands this and sees service as both a promise to you and a duty to the profession. The right agent will always put your interests first.

When you have an agent that truly listens to you, you will want to listen back. You will be told exactly what you can expect and what will happen during the home-buying process. This is your opportunity to get very detailed about your mutual expectations. You should ask questions like; how often will you be in contact, how often you can expect to see homes, and how many properties you might visit during an afternoon. Ask you agent how communications will be handled; by phone, fax, or email, and make sure you share your preferences.

When you find the right agent, you will actually be making a mutual commitment. Your new agent will be dedicated to answering all your questions and getting you the home that you want. You will be committing to honestly sharing your feelings, opinions, and concerns. And you will be committing to work exclusively with that person as your agent. This is done thru a Buyer Representation Agreement. The Buyer Representation Agreement clarifies the working relationship between you and your agent. Your agent commits to getting you what you want, and you commit to working exclusively with your agent.

To learn more about the real estate buying process, please contact:

Philip Crocker
Keller Williams Metro Real Estate
3965 Fifth Ave, Suite 300
San Diego, Ca 92103

760.212.7222

This blog will be written in 8 sections, one to match each of the steps The eight steps to buying your first home:

1.     Decide to Buy
2.     Hire your agent.
3.     Secure financing.
4.     Find your home.
5.     Make an offer.
6.     Perform due diligence.
7.     Close.
8.     Protect your investment.