Working with a Realtor to buy a house
Forming a relationship that allows full communication with your Realtor about your housing needs can mean the difference between finding the house you want and can afford, and disappointment or even worse. You could get stuck with a house you don’t really like.
Know exactly how much you can put down and how much you want to pay each month. If you share this information with your agent, they can calculate what price range you can afford and they can show you houses that are within your budget.
Familiarize yourself with the town you want to live and where you would and would not want to own a house. Some subdivisions and areas are priced very high, while you may find a comparable or better house at a lower price in another location.
Get a Realtors’ listings book from a real estate office and study the houses for sale. These books are free and can provide valuable information. These books usually give a brief description of the property and often the price. This book can give you an idea of what type of housing is available. If it is a multiple listings book it will have many, or all, Realtors’ offices in your area.
After studying the book, call a Realtor’s office to make an appointment to see a house that interests you. Realtors list homes for sale but they will also help you find a home if you let them. If you tell the Realtor your situation and ask for his/her input most will jump at the chance to help you find a home. It is important to find an agent that will work to help you find what you want. If you don’t particularly like the first Realtor you meet, keep calling different offices until you do find someone with whom you feel comfortable. If you think the Realtor is not interested in you, find another one.
Tell the agent what you can put down, how much you want to pay, and what kind of house you want. If you don’t know what you want, ask the agent to show you some houses in your price range. Tell your Realtor what you like and don’t like about each house. Tell your Realtor what appeals to you about each house. The clearer you are about what you want, the more likely you are to get it. Real estate agents only make money if you buy.
Do not waste the agent’s time asking to see houses that are out of your price range. An agent can spend a lot of time with one prospective client (you) and never make a penny. Do not make appointments and fail to show. If the agent believes you are really looking to buy a home that you can qualify for, he will work hard to find you that home.
If you can only afford a modest home, it may be better for you to work with a younger, newer agent. They are usually more willing to work for lower commissions than high-powered agents.
It may take several months to find the house you can afford and want. Do not expect to find your house the first day or two you view houses.
I see nothing to be gained by being coy with the Realtor that is trying to find a home you will be happy in, especially if money is an issue. Holding back on your feelings and finances will work against you instead of help you.
When I bought my present home my Realtor had a realistic idea of how much I could comfortably pay and a pretty good idea of what I would like. She found the perfect home for me at a great price. I was the winner.
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