WHY do I need a Realtor to help me buy a home?

There are actually a lot of benefits to having a Realtor help you buy a home, but I only want to touch on a couple of them. One, a realtor can help prevent you from buying a "money pit", and two, a Realtor can help you negotiate by finding out the needs of the sellers so you can make an offer they can't resist! Both of these scenarios can SAVE YOU MONEY! Plus, you don't pay ME anything! The seller does! Why wouldn't you want someone to work for you and represent you for FREE???

First, let me tell you a little about myself. I have been a part of six rehab projects. I have to admit that I'm almost embarrassed to tell you how much I know about plumbing, electrical, and other building issues! That does NOT mean that I am an expert in any way! But, I do have a good understanding of how things should be done and can usually spot a 'quick flip' pretty easily! When you are mesmerized by the beautifully staged home we walk into, I'm looking for all the flaws! I want to see what short cuts were taken, how skilled the labor was, and see what was overlooked all together! When I notice a home has been flipped by someone other than a professional, I start doing some research! Mainly, I look to see if permits were pulled for the work! I look to see what the current sellers bought the home for, and when they bought it, and I look at the listing when that person bought it so I can compare photos to REALLY see what all was done! (OR COVERED UP!!) We can't see inside the walls! Not even an inspector can! But, we can spot the signs that tell us that a home was probably flipped by amateurs! And, if it was, checking on the status of permits can save you a lot of money down the road! I will make sure the sellers pay for all permits and make sure they get them all closed out before you buy! Can you imagine wanting to do a project on your new home and going to get a permit, but the permit office won't give you one until you pay off the open permits on your home? Even if those permits weren't pulled by YOU? It can happen! This is just ONE WAY that I can help you save money and protect you! Plus, what good are updates if they aren't done properly and need to be done again? What if the permits weren't closed out because the sellers knew their work wouldn't pass the final inspection?

Next, negotiations are very important! It isn't always about the bottom dollar! Can you think of another way to negotiate other than price? There are MANY!! And, depending on the seller's needs, you can possibly cater an offer to buy at a lower price! Maybe they need a fast closing! You can choose a lender that is known for closing in a 2-to-3-week time frame! Maybe they need to find a home before selling...you can offer to close in 60 to 90 days. Giving them flexibility on a closing date takes pressure off of them, making even a low-priced offer more attractive! There are many negotiating options available to you! Let me help you buy your next home!

TIP: Ask your realtor what negotiation tactics they use. Do they call the listing agent and ask about the seller's needs? Do they have creative ways to make your offer more appealing? Will they go to the building permit office to check on closed permits for you? I WILL!!

“The opinions expressed on this blog are my personal opinions, and they don’t reflect those of my company.”