Working With A Buyer's Agent In Today's Real Estate Market  

Working with a Buyer's Agent In Northern Nevada?    It is important to select the right agent to help and represent you when you buy a home.  The choice of agent varies as each is as distinctively unique as their personality, life experience, real estate knowledge and experience, and attitude.  You won't know everything about an agent when you meet them, but it will help you to know what you are looking for and what to expect from an agent. 

Real estate agents serve several roles.  If you are new to the area they will orient you, give you what we call our "Chamber of Commerce" talk.  You'll learn about weather, government, taxes, activities, etc.  They will also help you identify what you want in a property, what you are able to afford, and what neighborhoods in the area fit your wants and needs.  That is an important step as it leads to the next critical step- selecting properties to look at. 

This is where Buyer's agents can differ greatly.  Are they interested in selling you any property, or the right property for you?  Do they want to sell you the right property, or just sell you their, or their company's listing?  Are they working for you?  You will get a feeling right away when you are taken to a two bedroom house with your five kids in tow.  There are more subtle things to look for - pay attention.   

Are they eliminating market segments that could work for you?  Short sales are a common sales situation avoided by many agents these days.  They can take time and be uncertain, but with the right circumstances they can be a wonderful buying opportunity.  How do you buy a short sale property?  Do your homework!  We recently studied a niche market for a customer and found the right short sale - had approval in five days.  That is unusual, but a good example of why you can't categorically discard a short sale property from your list of prospective homes without doing the right investigation first. 

When you've found a house the agent becomes the investigator, contract drafter, and negotiator.  They should help you determine how the property stacks up in the market and how to strengthen your position.  After the offer has been accepted the escrow process begins - and there is much work for the active Buyer's agent to coordinate, follow up on, monitor to assure a minimal risk and timely close of escrow. 

Our advice: Go with your instinct on selecting your agent.  Just because you walk in to an office and are assigned an agent doesn't mean that is the agent for you.  It could be ... you could have attracted each other, but if it just isn't working understand that you are making a major financial and emotional investment - you should have the right agent.  They should ask questions of you - it is your investment , not theirs.  Feel free to interview the agent(s) - do they understand you and your needs/wants.  Will they do the job for you?  Agents should be readily available and follow up in a timely manner when you call or email.  They shouldn't be expected to be available 24/7, but they shouldn't disappear on you in this active market. 

We are fortunate to have a very high standard of practice in our industry in the Northern Nevada region.  There are many good agents available to work with - make sure you find them.  It is more important to find the right agent than it is to find the right house ... they will help you with the latter.  

When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your real estate needs ... Experience is Priceless! Lisa Wetzel & Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-5472.  carsonvalleyland@hotmail.com, www.carsonvalleyland.com 

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Lisa Wetzel and Jim Valentine are the authors of this blog.  Lisa, Jim  and Jessie are experts in Carson Valley, Carson Cityand the tri-county area of Douglas County, Carson City and Lyon County.  Call our team anytime at 775-781-5472 or 775-781-3704.  To Search for Homes go to: www.findhomesincarsoncity.com of visit our website at www.CarsonValleyLand.com