The Homebuyer’s Guide to Realtors
Buying a home is one of the most challenging tasks that any of us will undertake in our lives. There are several reasons that people struggle to manage it on their own. Too much information, too few connections, and too little technical knowledge are among the most commonly cited examples.
Verify my mortgage eligibility (Apr 26th, 2024)Most importantly, people have no idea where to start. Even if they decide on a strategy, they don't know whether they're doing things correctly. When making such a crucial decision, nobody wants to leave anything to chance. As a result, they look into hiring a realtor.
A realtor can provide the kind of expert support needed when buying a home. Yet, it's possible that you're not entirely sure why you need one. Maybe you think you need one but want to clarify what exactly such a professional brings to the table. No worries! Today we'll shed light on what a realtor should do for you as a homebuyer, and why buying a home without a realtor is a bad idea.
What Should a Realtor Do for a Homebuyer?
Homebuyers can expect certain things from a realtor. Here is a list of the most important ones.
Verify my mortgage eligibility (Apr 26th, 2024)1. Provide Access to a Quality Professional Network
During the entire purchase process, you will encounter the need to consult several professionals. This is where having a top-quality realtor can really help out. Almost all realtors have long-standing relationships with professionals in complementary fields. Such as mortgage consultants, attorneys, and home inspectors.
This network allows you to rest assured that the property has been surveyed by the best in the business. If you don't have access to a quality network, you may find problems cropping up years later. A specialist would have found those problems and dealt with them at the time of purchase.
2. Handle Logistics
One of the most important tasks in a realtor's job description is arranging showings in a streamlined manner. This doesn't simply mean knowing what properties are available and arranging a visit. It also means, knowing market trends, price points, and ideal neighborhoods. Going through all these tasks is a lot of time-consuming work, which is why buying a home without a realtor is not a good idea.
Verify my mortgage eligibility (Apr 26th, 2024)Almost anyone can do the logistical work if the time is available. Realtors distinguish themselves by having industry experience that helps them advise you on which property is worth your time and money, and which one isn't. So, with a realtor, you can go about your everyday business and show up to all the events the realtor arranges for you.
3. Have Excellent Financial Acumen
Realtors don't just deal with finding you a home. Some also help you find a source of funding for them. The reason this falls under the realtor's job is because of something called pre-approval. When buying a property, the seller usually demands a pre-approval letter. The letter demonstrates that the buyer will be able to procure funding for the home if the deal goes through.
Naturally, nobody involved in the process, least of all the realtor wants to work night and day only to find that you can't get the required amount of money. As such, the realtor not only assists you in finding a suitable mortgage provider but also helps you get pre-approved.
Verify my mortgage eligibility (Apr 26th, 2024)Realtors are also familiar enough with the home buying process to know what sort of costs will be incurred in order to close the deal. As such, they are able to advise you on the amount of money that you should put aside.
4. Maintain Professional Standards
When dealing with any professional, there is a level of performance that is expected by default. Realtors have their own standards, by which they operate. These standards compel them to act in your best interest at all times. They are also required to advise you to the best of their abilities and prioritize your interests over their personal gain.
Within the standards of professionalism, they are available to you based on your schedule, respond to all requests in a timely manner, and advise you of any changes in your situation promptly.
Verify my mortgage eligibility (Apr 26th, 2024)5. Negotiate a Fair Offer
Once you've decided on a house, it is the realtor's job to advise you on the market value of the property, and help you prepare a suitable offer. Once the offer has been prepared, the realtor must coordinate with the seller and start negotiations. A good realtor will always try to get the best deal possible for you.
What's important to remember is that the best offer doesn't simply mean the lowest offer. It is possible that the realtor agreed to a slightly higher offer because it had better terms. Terms are extremely important as their completion determines whether or not the property can now be transferred over to you.
As such, a higher offer with better terms isn't necessarily a bad thing. An expert realtor will make certain that you are satisfied with the offer in its entirety.
Verify my mortgage eligibility (Apr 26th, 2024)6. Perform Due Diligence
Part of the realtor's job is to ensure that throughout the purchase process, nothing slips your notice. That means asking the owner or the seller's agent all kinds of questions to determine whether the price they're demanding is fair.
With a realtor on the case, you don't have to worry about any outstanding problems with your home. Everything would have been thoroughly inspected to ensure that you can move in comfortably.
Last Word
These are the most important functions that a realtor performs for a homebuyer. Now that you know them, you must realize why buying a home without a realtor isn't recommended. If you're looking for financing options for your home, you'll need experts such as the ones at CMS Mortgage Solutions Inc. Tell your realtor to reach out to us today!
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