Buyers: It is a good idea to have a REALTOR® representing you when you purchase a home. True, you can search for homes online and even view homes with the listing agent or the seller, but a REALTOR® can help you to navigate the often tricky waters of negotiation, inspections and legal aspects of a real estate contract, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer.

Here is a list of questions that your Buyer Agent may ask you. She is not being nosy or trying to pry into your personal life - she needs the following answers in order to serve you better. Of course, this list is not complete - she may have additional or follow-up questions based on your responses or situation - but it's a good start! Your answers can help to determine how compatible you are with your potential REALTOR® - and that can make all the difference in your home purchase!

Besides just asking you to describe what you are looking for in a home and what features you hope your future home might have, here are some questions that your Buyer Agent may ask you - answer them honestly and you're on your way to a healthy transaction!

1. How did you hear about me? What prompted you to call? We like to know who referred you to us, so that we know whom to thank, or where you saw our marketing, so we know what's working!

2. Are you working with another agent right now? If so, have you signed an Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement with him or her? We want to know if you are seriously considering working with us, or if you are contractually obligated to work with another agent.

3. Do you know how much house you can afford to buy? We want to know if you ahve an understanding of how much debt-to-income ratio you can handle and what price range you think you're looking in. Talking to a lender may change all that.

4. Have you talked to a lender yet? If so, have you been prequalified or preapproved for a loan? Being pre-qualified strengthens you as a buyer - we're looking out for your best interested by making sure you're presented as the strongest buyer candidate you can be.

5. Would you be willing to get preapproved by my lender? A second opinion can be good for you, too, since shopping around for rates can get you a better mortgage product!

6. Do you currently own a home that you will need to sell before you can buy a new one? We want to understand your timeline and your situation - it will help us to serve you better.

7. Do you know of any potential problems with your credit? If so, can I assist you in finding out how you can fix your credit before you're ready to buy? We can oftentimes help put you in touch with other service providers that can help you become ready to buy and with mortgage brokers who may have access to products for people with less-than-perfect credit.

8. Would you be willing to sign an Exclusive Buyer Brokerage contract with me? We need to protect ourselves, too. For more about the Buyer Brokerage Agreement and how it can protect both you and your REALTOR®, please click here!

9. How do you prefer that I contact you throughout your homebuying process: phone, email, text message, via twitter or Facebook, etc.? We know that many of our clients prefer to be contacted via technology than be bothered over the phone - we want to respect your preferences, so we will ask what you prefer!

10. What will it take for you to choose me to be your REALTOR®? What things are important to you in the person who is going to be your REALTOR®? We are in a service industry and we really do want to know what we can do to best serve you. Sometimes, the easiest way to find out is to just ask!

This list is by no means conclusive - but it's enough to give you some idea of the questions your Buyer Agent may ask!

There are also a number of questions that you should ask any potential REALTOR before you decide to work with her. Click here for some questions to get you started!

And for more information about buying or selling a home in Johns Creek or elsewhere in the North Metro Atlanta area, please call The Gebhardt Group today!

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Maura Neill, ABR, CRS, MA
The Gebhardt Group
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta
10220 Medlock Bridge Road
Johns Creek, GA 30097

(770) 238-0595
email: Maura@GebhardtGroup.com
website: http://www.GebhardtGroup.com/
blog: http://www.GebhardtGroupBlog.com/