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Health & Fitness

Choosing The Right Realtor And The Home Buying Process!

Choosing the right Realtor to represent you can be over whelming. There are many things you as a buyer need to factor in. I will help guide you through this process and feel free to contact me with any questions. You can always reach me via email at stephanie.walsh@shanahanre.com

The first step in the process of choosing a Realtor is picking up the phone and talking to different agents. When a buyer contacts Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Shanahan Group I always have prepared questions so I can better understand their wants and needs. I am always curious in how long someone has been looking, if they live in the area, and what their timing expectation is. It is extremely important that Realtors ask questions -- not only for their own knowledge but to form a connection with a prospective client.

A Designated Buyer Agent works solely in the buyers’ BEST interest and you as a buyer should make sure you form a connection with your Realtor. Remember, you will be spending lots of time with your Realtor! I always recommend setting up a time with my clients either at our office or in their home for a brief meeting. I present how I, as a Realtor will represent them and I’ll ask more questions about the clients’ wants and needs.

A sit down discussion about you, the client, should not be scary. I know it is overwhelming, having someone ask a handful of questions about your personal life. Remember, buyer agents work for you and cannot disclose information. Everything remains confidential and questions are only for your Realtor’s knowledge to help find you the BEST HOME for the BEST PRICE.

Here are just a few questions a good Realtor should ask his or her clients:


· How soon do you need or want to be in a new home?

· How do you plan to finance the purchase of a new house?

· Have you been in contact with mortgage lenders in your area?

· What price range are you looking?

· How much had you planned to put down?

· What are your top priorities?

· Are you familiar with the home buying process?

Next, I set up a search based on my clients’ home criteria - price range, towns, type of home, number of bedrooms, age of the home, etc., with email alerts directly through MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Not only will this show buyers homes which are currently available on the market, but also alert buyers to price reductions, new homes on the market, and even open houses.

Once you find the home of your dreams, I provide my client with relevant market data as well as my own experience and expertise so we can develop the strongest offer. Once we decide on the best price, I present our offer to the listing agent personally, discussing what makes my client the best buyer for the property. We give the seller a time frame on when we need to hear back which usually is about 24 to 48 hours. We then wait for a response. Best case, they accept, but if not the sellers can either counter offer or reject. If the sellers counter-offer, I will negotiate with the listing agent for the best price and terms on behalf of the buyer, always keeping you informed throughout the process.

Once an offer is accepted, your Realtor will help advise you on next steps, most notably a home inspection and other inspections needed by law. It’s important for the buyers to follow their inspector during a home inspection. It’s a great time to ask questions to learn more about the property you are in the process of buying.

Other to-do items you may discuss with your Realtor include homeowners insurance, certifying funds for down payment and closing costs, and advising you about utility turn overs and movers. Last but not least, the closing and funding. Just before settlement you and your Realtor should make one last walk through to make sure the home is in the condition you expect.

Buying a new home should be enjoyable and the right Realtor should help make this process stress free. Remember to interview a Realtor and discuss how they will best represent you. Relax, take a deep breath, and have fun finding your dream home!!!

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