Getting Started
Hello again, buying can be one of the most stressful events in your life. I can help you reduce those stress levels by helping you through the process. Home buyer's anxiety is usually related to the pressure associated with making the largest purchase of your life combined with a real estate environment littered with complex terms and unfamiliar procedures.
Fortunately you have found a Realtor® that has been through this process hundreds of times before and is fully conversant with all of the latest changes in real estate law and practices.
My steps to a successful home purchase are based upon my 25 years of experience with past clients. Learning in advance all about the process we are going to go through together will help you reduce the stress of home buying and assist you in making better decisions about the homes available.
Everyone wants to go straight to the home search and look at prospective properties. I advise you follow the steps, learn as you go and finding your dream home at the price you can afford will come along the way.
Smart Shopping
The first step to finding a new home is to find a Realtor® who you can help you. Often people see a home in the area and price range they like and contact the "listing agent" to arrange an appointment to view it. Remember the listing agent is at this time representing the seller of the property. Although the listing agent will probably agree to represent you as well, do you want the same agent representing the seller and you? Under Florida law agents who represent both parties in this manner can only provide limited representation to both.
Most people in the real estate industry will advise you to get your own representation and find a Realtor® who you can work with. Remember if you use me as your Realtor® my services are paid for by the selling broker, they simply agree to split the commission which is paid by the seller. You will not get a lower price if you choose to contact a listing agent directly or "go-it-alone", the listing broker simply gets paid all of the commission and you end up working with several different Realtors® all providing limited representation.
As your Realtor® representing you in the capacity of buying agent I realize it is not my job to sell you a home. It is my job to find a home that meets your requirements and then ensure the transaction is processed professionally and efficiently to a successful closing.
I do this by showing you all of the homes that meet your specifications, regardless of who the listing broker maybe. When you find a home that fits your needs it is then my job to provide you with information and advice allowing you to determine a suitable offer price.
Before we start looking at potential homes it is important you determine your requirements and financial constraints. In the next step we going to look at financing options and mortgage considerations.
