Home Buyer Help Part 2:  Be Smart Don't Go at It Alone

Purchasing a home is a gigantic step. The average person spends about 1/3 of their income on a home. The home you choose has a huge impact on your life and your finances. Do not attempt to "go at it alone" because mistakes happen.  A good Buyer's Agent is an invaluable resource to a Buyer and can be the difference between a wonderful transaction and a nightmare. 

Here are 5 reasons to use a buyer's agent:

1) They have Full Access to the MLS

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a powerful tool only Realtors have full access to.  The database contains nearly 99% of homes for sale in the market.  The MLS is an extremely powerful search engine your buyer's agent uses to enter in search criteria.  It only finds homes matching those specific items. Buyers can find much of this same information online through IDX feeds on many websites; however, this information is a "watered down" version of the MLS.  The IDX search engines are not as powerful as the MLS.

2) Maximize Your Time and Money

Your time is valuable.  And let's face it, gas is expensive. Your Buyer's Agent will take the time to listen to your needs, make suggestions based on your likes and dislikes and help you better organize your search and decision making process - saving you valuable time.  Your agent will do all this while helping you find the home of your dreams.

3) Representation and Negotiation Power

Be advised: Listing Agents enter into legally binding agreements requiring them to ALWAYS act in the best interest of the seller. Your Buyer's Agent is there to make sure YOUR best interests are protected.  In other words, you are represented in the transaction.

To protect you, your Buyer's Agent will look at similar homes in the same neighborhood that have sold recently and help you see what would be a fair price.  This service is called a CMA or Comparative Market Analysis.  With this information, your Realtor will be able to present and negotiate your offer effectively.

4) Experience and Industry Contacts

The average person buys or sells about 3-5 homes in their lifetime. What might seem complicated to you is pretty common and familiar to your agent. Your Buyer's Agent knows what to expect, how to keep the transaction moving along and will alert you if anything out of the ordinary happens. 

To close a real estate transaction many people are involved - Buyer's Agent, Listing Agent, Loan Officer, Inspector, Appraiser, Insurance Agent, Title Company, General Contractors, and sometimes many more! A good agent has a strong closing team.  A transaction is only as strong as its weakest link - so look to your agent for support.

5) Piece of Mind

Your home is likely to be the largest purchase you ever make, so do not try to go it alone. Use a trusted Buyer's Agent to be assured your best interests are represented.  This way you will feel confident in your purchase.

Purchasing a home can be a fun, exciting and sometimes tiring process.  The home buying process can appear intimidating, unfamiliar and a little scary. A Realtor who specializes in working with Buyers can alleviate some of your fears and correct, foresee or derail mistakes. Using a Buyer's Agent in your real estate transaction will help ensure you are making the right decisions.

Give yourself a present and Contact Ann Hayden to get started in the process of buying your new home. 636-399-7544, ahayden@psphomes.com or www.SelectAnn.com

To see part one of home buyer help:  Free Home Buyers Seminar September 16, 2009.