Buyinga home can be an overwhelming process. From financing to negotiating toclosing, there are a lot of moving pieces that can leave homebuyers bewildered.
A real estate agent can help guide you through each step of the buying process,offering sound advice along the way. By working with a professional agent whoknows the ins and outs of the real estate industry, you’ll not only end up witha great home, but you’ll also walk away with a great experience.
Here are some of the key areas that an agent can help you with:
Getting pre-approved bya lender
By providing your real estate agent with some basic information about yourincome, savings, and debt, he or she can assist you in getting pre-approved bya reputable lender. The lender will then go over your financing options, whatmonthly payment amount you can afford, and what you can expect for down paymentrequirements and closing costs.
Choosinga home
For most buyers, choosing a home is an emotional process. An agent can assistyou in this process by offering objective information about each property youlook at. From local community information like schools and zoning tohome-specific details like condition and amenities, an agent can help you findexactly what you’re looking for.
Making an offer
Once you’ve found the home of your dreams, an agent will research recentcomparable sales of similar homes in the area to help determine a fair sellingprice. Based on those comparable sales, as well as other factors likeinspections and repairs, an agent will then help you structure an offer andnegotiate to get the very best deal possible.
Closing
Closing, or settlement, can be a complicated process. In some areas, the escrowor title company handles the closing process, while in other areas an attorneyhandles it. Regardless of where you’re buying, a real estate agent can helpensure that everything goes smoothly.
