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TEN STEPS TO BUYING A HOME . Step # 4. Sign up with a buyer agent

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Centre Realtors

Buying a home can be a wonderful experience if you understand the home buying process.

After you sit down with a lender and find out the amount of mortgage you can afford , and know what you are looking for in a home the most important step is to interview  a few agents  and choose one to be your buyer agent. You can search on the internet , ask your friends who purchased recently or stop in at some local real estate offices.

DO NOT GO TO NEW CONSTRUCTION till you have spoken to an agent and learned about agency relations. In Pa the builder's agent represents the builder. It is good to have your own agent to represent you. However if you go to the model home on your own the builder will not honor your agency relation later. The agent should accompany you the first time you go to the model homes.

 Step # 4 Choose an agent to be your buyer agent.

Read the buyer agent contract carefully. Ask how the agent will be paid. In most cases the agent is paid by the seller . The seller pays the fee to listing agent and the listing agent pays the selling agent based on contact with the seller. But some buyer agents charge a transaction fee in addition .Ask for length of contract , which is negotiable and ask what happens if you find a home from FSBO. Read the contract carefully.

 You should ask the agent when the agent can show you homes because if you can only see during the day and the agent has another job or if you want to see on weekends and the agent does not work on weekends it will cause problems. Also ask how the agent will inform you of new listings and if the agent has a web site where you can look up listings and be notified of new listings.

Once you choose the agent you should mention what you are looking for in  a house and the price range. The agent will tell you where you can find homes in your price range with the amenities that you are looking for.

There are other sites like realtor.com where you can look up listings.

Step # 3 Make your wish list . http://actvra.in/Nmy

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When you read about events please check the year for the event as some people find information a year later and think it is for that year. . The posts remain online even after the event.

Gita Bantwal is a Realtor with RE/MAX Centre Realtors in Bucks County, a Northern suburb of Philadelphia. You can view 1000s of listings on her web site www.GitaBantwal.com

 

She can be reached at 215-343-8200x124 or direct 215-275-8491 or via email gita01@aol.com

If you would like a FREE MARKET EVALUATION OF YOUR HOME IN PHILADELPHIA, BUCKS or MONTGOMERY COUNTY call me at 2152758491

 Gita specializes in Active adult communities and is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. She holds the ABR designation (Accredited Buyers Representative) and specializes in selling to first time buyers as well as move up buyers.Gita also hold the CRS designation , Certified Residential Specialist and the CDPE designation as well. Information about real estate market is deemed to be correct but is subject to errors and omissions and should be verified independently.. Opinion expressed by me or others  in my post and comments is not to be construed to be  legal advice.I am licensed in Pa. Check real estate laws in your state as they may be different than in Pa.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG         CLICK HERE   OR EMAIL ME AT Gita01@aol.com

 

John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Gita - Thank you for sharing detailed information about step #4. sign up with a buyer agent on buying a home.

Dec 29, 2012 12:40 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

John, Thank you. I hope they will read this post.

Dec 31, 2012 04:44 AM
Joy Daniels
Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

This is great advice - I hope all buyers (in and out of your area!) find your post and adhere to your advice. 

Dec 31, 2012 05:29 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Joy, Happy new year. Thanks for the comments.

Dec 31, 2012 09:58 PM