Finding A Great Real Estate Agent

Posted on: 29 March 2016

Buying a home can be an exciting process, but it also takes some work. By doing your research ahead of time, you can avoid making some major mistakes like paying too much for the house, getting a high interest rate, or even getting rejected for the loan. If you have never bought a house before, it is extremely important to do as much research as possible as well as talk to a real estate agent about the proper steps that should be taken. Thanks to higher rent, a strengthening job market, and looser lending guidelines, more and more people are looking to buy a new home. In order to avoid paying too much, here are some mistakes to avoid. 

Calling the Wrong Agent

Once you have decided you are ready to purchase a home, you probably start the shopping fairly quickly. For many people, the shopping process is done by driving through some ideal neighborhoods to see what is available. When you see a home you like, you want to avoid contacting the agent on the for sale sign. This is because the agent you are calling works for the seller. Instead, you want to find a buyer's agent that is going to work for you. By obtaining an agent, you can work with them on what type of features you are looking for in a house. They will also help you meet deadlines and negotiate the price of a home for you. 

Not Checking Out the Neighborhood

Just because you fall in love with a house, it does not mean it is the right house for you. It is important to get a good look at the neighborhood to see if it meets your needs. If you have school-aged kids, you will want to check out the local schools that your kids will be attending. You may also want to check out any attractions like parks, museums, and more to keep your kids entertained without having to commute everywhere. Additionally, you want to make sure the neighborhood is both safe and on the rise. 

Looking Out of Your Price Range

It is always a good idea to get prequalified before searching for a home. This helps you understand just how much home you can actually afford. Looking at homes outside of your price range can be very depressing when you find out that you cannot afford it. Getting prequalified also helps move the process along once you have found the right house to purchase. When the seller knows you have already been prequalified for the house price, they are more likely to accept your offer. 

Just Putting in an Offer

These days, the real estate market can be very competitive. When you find a home for sale you like, you want to make sure you put an offer on it right away to avoid it being sold to someone else. Your offer may be very similar to the next person's offer, so you are going to want to do something that sets your offer apart. This can be done by sending in a personal letter with your offer explaining why you want the home so much. While the seller may choose the other buyer, it certainly cannot hurt your chances. It allows them to connect to the next owner of the home.