Welcome to our Home Buyer’s Guide series! Whether you are looking for your first home, your tenth, or you are not even ready to buy yet, this guide is intended to serve as your go-to resource for every step of the process! It is the LORE Team’s goal to make home buying an enjoyable and easy experience. This series will be broken up into multiple parts over the next few weeks, so stay tuned so that you do not miss any important information!
Purchasing a home is a very important decision no matter where you are in your life. In fact, most people only choose a few homes in their lifetime. Buying your very first home can especially be a tremendous decision as it will likely be the biggest purchase of your life at that point. With such big decisions come a lot of pressure and worries, but that is why we are here! Buying a home does not need to be worrisome process. With the help of an experienced real estate agent, the process becomes much more enjoyable!
For those who have not gone through the process before, the home buying process can seem quite complicated. How do I find a house? How do I get a mortgage? What if the house has termites? The owner has not responded, so has it been sold to someone else? All of these questions and more can easily be answered by an experienced real estate agent or realtor. You are likely asking yourself, “What is the difference between a real estate agent and a realtor?” Simply put, all realtors are real estate agents, but not all agents are realtors. The “realtor” designation simply means the agent has joined the National Association of Realtors and has agreed to uphold their code of ethics and professional standards. They are then allowed to use the “realtor” title.
Aside from being knowledgeable about the process and saving you endless amounts of time, money, and frustration, having an experienced agent all your side comes with plenty of other benefits. They are experts in their area and can easily help you find a neighborhood with a wonderful community that does not get blocked by traffic and is zoned for great schools. They are familiar with all the nearby shopping centers and churches and can tell you which places to avoid.
A great agent also has numerous connections that can prove extremely beneficial. They can pair you with the best lenders in the area ensuring a smooth transaction at the best price for you. With this comes the benefit of being able to talk finances with you and prevent any unwelcome surprises when it comes time to buy. They can also inform you of houses that are not even on the market yet through their professional connections. Don’t forget, in almost all cases, a real estate agent can show you any house on the market even if it is listed by someone else!
When it comes to negotiating, a real estate agent is your best friend. You won’t need to stress about negotiating the best price and getting the best bang for your buck. A great agent will be experienced in negotiating and will present your offer to the buyer for you. They also bring objectivity to the table and can point out all the advantages and disadvantages of a particular property.
Don’t forget the greatest part of this: you will not have to pay your real estate agent a single penny! Their commission is paid by the seller, so don’t be afraid to find the best agent you can.
Why do you need a real estate agent?