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Pack Your Bags...For The Journey Ahead

By
Real Estate Agent with thredUP.com

Mountain ClimbingEvery Real Estate transaction is like a Journey.  For this trip I, as a Realtor, will be your tour guide.  As a team we will overcome obstacles thrown our way and make it to the top of the Mountain, your new home.  There are several members of our team.  You as a buyer or seller, myself the Realtor as a tour guide, the Lender that in a sense holds the map, and many others that will represent Landmarks along the way.

To make it to the top it is important to know the team.  It is important to find team members that are the most qualified to lead you.  Let's go through a list of team members you will need and what assets they will bring to the team.

Your Realtor- Or myself if you choose me to be on your team.  Your Realtor will be your guide toward each plateau and use their expertise to keep the pack moving forward instead of falling behind or going downhill.  Here are some of the plateaus for buyers and sellers:

  • Listing the home including marketing, photos, pricing, coordinate showings and guidance through what can be the rough terrain of negotiating.
  • Finding homes that fit your criteria.  There may be many mountains and trails, but let's find just the right one to take us to the top.
  • Contract Deadlines.  There are many checkpoints along the way.  Let's make sure we have just the right tools for our needs.
  • We will again see more Negotiating terrain.  Make sure your guide has the knowledge and expertise to get you through.

Your Lender- The lender plays a key role in getting to the top.  There are many trails to choose from here as well.  Choosing the right one from the beginning will get you to the top with less pitfalls.  Make sure the lender you choose holds a compass with the right points.  Ask a lot of questions and make sure the path is right for your needs.

Your Inspectors-  The Licensed Inspectors will help the team know what obstacles to overcome near the top.  Choosing the right inspector is imperative to help the rest of the team (you, your agent and lender) make sure we are still on the right path.  If there are repairs that need to be done prior to closing we may need to change it up a bit.  Also, there may be a canyon up the trail and we may need to find a completely different mountain.  Make sure you choose good, reputable inspectors that will make you feel positive you are making the right decision on the house you are buying.  After we get to the top, the team wants you to be happy and not find any surprises.

Your Title Company-  The Title Company plays a subtle yet important role in the transaction.  The Title Company is in charge of getting relevant information to the lender to process your loan in a timely fashion.  They also run title searches to make sure the mountain you are about to own is free and clear of Dark Clouds at closing.  If there are liens on the property, you need to know now.  Efficiency of the Title Company will help make the transaction more desirable.

Your Homeowner's Insurance Company-  All of your Homeowner's Insurance needs must be planned prior to closing.  Actually, I recommend this part of the team join in during the inspection period.  If there are any surprises in Rates, let's find out while we are still close to the bottom.  Call your insurance company early on to make sure you are getting a good rate and a desirable Insurance Package.

As a team we will make the Journey a Positive one to remember.  Every one of these team members play a key role in your happiness at the top.  Before, During and After you sell your home and move in to the new one, your team will be behind you 100%.  Make sure you choose the right team before you get to the Mountain.   

Comments (31)

Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Stephanie, interesting analogy and great post.  Thanks for sharing.

 

Jul 26, 2007 12:05 PM
Mana Tulberg
805 County Real Estate - Camarillo, CA
Real Estate Agent - Camarillo CA
Stephanie, I love this post and I can tell you I don't know where I would be or what I would do if I did not join the team during a transaction.
Jul 26, 2007 01:08 PM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004
Completely awesome! This is great! Did you mail this to your SOI?
Jul 26, 2007 03:21 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Thanks Gena!  I'm a fan of teamwork.  :)

Hi Paula, very true.  It's very important to find professionals that are committed to the clients well being.  Thanks!

Hi Chuck, I wish everyone looked at it that way.  It always makes the transaction go much smoother.  Nice to see you stop by!

Thanks Sally!

Thanks Gary!

 

Jul 26, 2007 03:31 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Thanks Mana, I agree. 

Thanks Dena, and no. I have not sent this to my sphere. :)  Maybe I should.

Jul 26, 2007 03:33 PM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004
Stephanie, I'm thinking with your permission and credit to you I want to send it to my sphere.
Jul 26, 2007 03:41 PM
Ashley Drake Gephart
Drake Intel Group - Albuquerque, NM
Stephanie this is such a great descriptive post about who is doing what in the transaction.
Jul 26, 2007 05:52 PM
Susie Roscoe
Signature Realty Associates - Brandon, FL
Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL
I love your endless analogies!!  You're English teacher(s) in highschool and college must have loved you!
Jul 26, 2007 11:56 PM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

Stephanie,

What a great analogy, love your team approach to the transaction! :)

Jul 27, 2007 12:09 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Thanks Ashley!

Hi Susie, my teachers like my persuasion papers better.  :)  Thanks!!

Hi Suzanne, Thanks a bunch!!

Jul 27, 2007 02:25 AM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!
what a great journey it is, it would be great if all our clients would understand how important the team is at times! I love your analogies! Great post. You should send this out in a newsletter to your database! Katerina
Jul 28, 2007 02:00 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Hi Katerina, I try to get all of them to understand how important it is.  Thanks and I might just have to send it out to everyone.  :)
Jul 28, 2007 01:47 PM
Roberta Murphy
San Diego Previews Real Estate - Carlsbad, CA
Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes
Stephanie: A well-crafted article and a definite Carnival win. Congratulations!
Jul 30, 2007 02:02 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Hi Roberta, WOW!  What a nice surprise to wake up to!  Thank You..and Thanks for stopping by!
Jul 30, 2007 03:14 AM
Tom Armstrong
Benchmark Fin. - Temecula Real Estate, Temecula Mortgage - Temecula, CA
Temecula Mortgage ZERO Down

Congratulations on an excellent article and a well deserved win!

 

Jul 31, 2007 05:23 AM
Ana Connell
G & C Properties - Burbank, CA
Burbank Real Estate Agent
Fantastic post! I love the analogy!!!
Jul 31, 2007 05:00 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Thanks Tom!  I have been so busy that I have not been able to check out the other posts yet.  I feel horrible for not doing so.  Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks Ana!!!!!

Aug 01, 2007 09:24 AM
Jack Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater Beach, FL
Clearwater Beach Condos - Real Estate Homes for Sale
Stephanie - you did a great job laying out the adventure - great job.
Aug 04, 2007 02:10 AM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP
Hi Jack, Thank You! 
Aug 05, 2007 01:43 PM
reo_homes for_sale
reo homes for sale - Indianola, WA

Looks fun. Cant wait tell summer.

May 15, 2008 07:18 PM