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Value
Of An Agent
Common
Errors to Avoid
Home Inspections & Links
House Hunting Worksheet
Know
the Market
Know the Neighborhood
Top 10
Potential Problems
Value Of An Agent
Moving Checklist
Common Errors to Avoid
Preparing Your Home
Should
You Renovate
Best
Asking Price
Sell
or Buy First
Why Use
An Agent
What Do
They Mean?
20
Mistakes To Avoid
Mortgages Explained
Types of
Mortgages
Mortgage Worksheet
Mortgage
Calculator
Pre-Qualify Calculator |
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The Value of working with a REALTOR®
When Purchasing a Home
Buying a home is a complex and stressful undertaking; Getting an expert to
help will save you time, money, and aggravation.
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The
Advantages of working with a REALTOR® are: |
Looking out for your best interests:
By asking a REALTOR® to act on your behalf during the
purchase of a home, you create an Agency
Relationship and become the REALTOR®'s client.
REALTORS® always owe their clients full fiduciary
duties, such as loyalty, obedience, confidentiality,
accountability, duty of care, and full disclosure of
all pertinent facts.
- Getting the best deal - Know the Market:
What have similar properties sold for in the
immediate area? How long were they on the
market? How does this one compare? Is it
over-priced, under-priced, or fair value? What
type of market is it - is it a Seller's, Buyer's
or a Balanced market? By having this information
at your fingertips, you are in a position to
negotiate the best price and take advantage of
any opportunities that may show up.
- Negotiation expertise:
While a
REALTOR® does many things, one of his or her most
important functions is to negotiate on behalf of
their clients. When you purchase a home, you
want the best deal possible. Your REALTOR®'s job
is to facilitate this by drawing up legally
binding contracts, assisting in negotiating
offers, offering advice and perspective and, if
needed, acting as a mediator during any
potential disputes between you and the seller.
- Finding the right home and neighborhood
for you:
REALTORS® spend a lot of time and
energy making sure they know their local market
inside and out. They are familiar with the
current market values of properties in the areas
you are looking and are your best resource for
finding the right home.
- Professional experience:
A REALTOR®
brings to the table all of his or her knowledge,
training and negotiation skills, and will
explain exactly what you can expect from the
buying/selling process. He or she will be able
to explain your rights and obligations, help
organize and strategize, and even discuss
financing options.
All REALTORS® are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR). This organization
requires all of its members to adhere to a
strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Business
Practice. The Code and Standards are very
important because they assure that all REALTORS®
offer the highest level of service, honesty and
integrity possible. All REALTORS® are subject to
constant professional monitoring that keeps them
directly accountable to the individual consumers
they serve. NAR also ensures that all of its
members are knowledgeable and highly trained in
order to better serve the public, and offers
ongoing education courses so that REALTORS®
continue to meet the highest professional
standards in a constantly changing industry.
- Determining your "wish list":
What
is it that you want from your new home? A
particular style, design, lot type? Proximity to
schools, services, work? A pool? A two-car
garage? A specific price range? A REALTOR® will
help identify exactly what it is you are looking
for and ensure that you get to see all the homes
that meet your criteria.
- Assist with financing needs:
REALTORS® are familiar with all of the
complexities involved in the pre-qualification,
approval and negotiation of mortgage rates. Like
many industries, banks are experiencing quite a
bit of competition and are often willing to flex
from their quoted rates. Experienced REALTORS®
can often assist in finding the most competitive
rates and terms available.
- Access to Multiple Listing Services:
REALTORS® have exclusive access to the Multiple
Listing Service (MLS). The MLS system also
allows a REALTOR® to examine all properties for
sale and short-list the ones that are right for
you. This not only offers more choices but also
saves you valuable time and effort.
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