Locating A Realtor And Using A Real Estate Agent For A Home Purchase

Buying a house is an exciting step in life--and one that shouldn't be navigated solo

. Accustomed as we are to the ease of do-it-yourself selling on eBay or CraigsList, it seems perfectly natural to simply post a sign and wait for sellers--or, in the reverse, to find a sign and inquire as a buyer. However, given the intricacies of legal, financial, and property issues, it's important to take this journey with the guidance of a licensed Realtor.

Services Your Agent Will Offer

Not only do a real-estate professionals have a detailed knowledge of the legal and procedural details of home-buying, but they also have a very clear idea of market value, structural features, and other areas which may not be obvious to an uninitiated home-buyer--and they have access to the real-estate listings from which you can begin to select houses that might interest you. Some of the considerations on which a professional can advise you include the results of home inspections on a house you're considering; infrastructure (city water versus well, septic system versus sewer, and so forth); and structural details of a given home which may either add to or detract from the value of the house. Real estate agencies also keep their fingers on the "pulse" of the property market, and can tell you the prices for which comparable properties are being sold in your area.

Finding and Meeting with an Agent

You can ask around among friends who have recently bought or sold a house to see if anyone has a recommendation of a specific agent or agency, or you can make use of the online directories to find an agency which suits your needs. You can optimize your first meeting with your agent by compiling and bringing a "wish list" detailing the specifications of the type of home you would like to purchase. Consider what qualifications are important to you (number of bedrooms, area of town, number of floors?) as well as items that you'd like but may not require (fireplace, patio, garage parking). Your agent will be able to use your wish-list to draw up a list of homes for you to view.

Your Agent's Commission

An agent doesn't get paid until you actually purchase a house, so you needn't set aside any funds to cover the services of home-buying. Instead, the agent's fee will be covered as part of the loan and financial paperwork. Not only does this ensure that your agent is working in your best interests (to find you the house you'll love), it also means you can make the most of those services even before securing a loan, knowing that the agent will be compensated at the point when your home-loan comes through.

Buying a home can be a complicated process, with reams of legal and financial paperwork to attend to, but with the right Realtor on your side and attending to the details, that same process can be a joy. Finding an agent now is the first step to living in your dream-home.

by: Kristen Ross

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