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Home Buyer Help Part 2: Be Smart Don't Go at It ALONE

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri MO Salesperson#2004006871

Home Buyer Help Part 2:  Be Smart Don't Go at It Alone

home buying by ann haydenPurchasing a home is a gigantic step. The average person spends about 1/3 of their income on a home. The home you choose has a huge impact on your life and your finances. Do not attempt to "go at it alone" because mistakes happen.  A good Buyer's Agent is an invaluable resource to a Buyer and can be the difference between a wonderful transaction and a nightmare. 

Here are 5 reasons to use a buyer's agent:

1) They have Full Access to the MLS

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a powerful tool only Realtors have full access to.  The database contains nearly 99% of homes for sale in the market.  The MLS is an extremely powerful search engine your buyer's agent uses to enter in search criteria.  It only finds homes matching those specific items. Buyers can find much of this same information online through IDX feeds on many websites; however, this information is a "watered down" version of the MLS.  The IDX search engines are not as powerful as the MLS.

2) Maximize Your Time and Money

Your time is valuable.  And let's face it, gas is expensive. Your Buyer's Agent will take the time to listen to your needs, make suggestions based on your likes and dislikes and help you better organize your search and decision making process - saving you valuable time.  Your agent will do all this while helping you find the home of your dreams.

3) Representation and Negotiation Power

Be advised: Listing Agents enter into legally binding agreements requiring them to ALWAYS act in the best interest of the seller. Your Buyer's Agent is there to make sure YOUR best interests are protected.  In other words, you are represented in the transaction.

To protect you, your Buyer's Agent will look at similar homes in the same neighborhood that have sold recently and help you see what would be a fair price.  This service is called a CMA or Comparative Market Analysis.  With this information, your Realtor will be able to present and negotiate your offer effectively.

4) Experience and Industry Contacts

The average person buys or sells about 3-5 homes in their lifetime. What might seem complicated to you is pretty common and familiar to your agent. Your Buyer's Agent knows what to expect, how to keep the transaction moving along and will alert you if anything out of the ordinary happens. buyer contract confusion

To close a real estate transaction many people are involved - Buyer's Agent, Listing Agent, Loan Officer, Inspector, Appraiser, Insurance Agent, Title Company, General Contractors, and sometimes many more! A good agent has a strong closing team.  A transaction is only as strong as its weakest link - so look to your agent for support.

5) Piece of Mind

Your home is likely to be the largest purchase you ever make, so do not try to go it alone. Use a trusted Buyer's Agent to be assured your best interests are represented.  This way you will feel confident in your purchase.

Purchasing a home can be a fun, exciting and sometimes tiring process.  The home buying process can appear intimidating, unfamiliar and a little scary. A Realtor who specializes in working with Buyers can alleviate some of your fears and correct, foresee or derail mistakes. Using a Buyer's Agent in your real estate transaction will help ensure you are making the right decisions.gift for buyer

Give yourself a present and Contact Ann Hayden to get started in the process of buying your new home. 636-399-7544, ahayden@psphomes.com or www.SelectAnn.com

To see part one of home buyer help:  Free Home Buyers Seminar September 16, 2009.

Posted by

Ann Hayden Real Estate Agent St. Louis Missouri

Call or Text:  636-399-7544

with

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties

12851 Manchester Rd, Suite 100

St. Louis, MO 63131

314-775-2050

For All Your real estate needs:  www.SelectAnn.com

Would you like a FREE Neighborhood Activity Report sent to your email?

Email me NOW!

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2023.

Views expressed are not the opinion of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties.

Comments (8)

Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Ann!  AMEN!  You have outlined these 5 points very well, I can't think of one thing to add.

Aug 21, 2009 04:21 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hi Ann, good work!  I have not started my series and now that I'm at the beach I'm not sure I'll get started on it at all.  You never know though......I might get inspired since I won't be making showing appointments and taking buyers to look at houses.

Aug 21, 2009 09:34 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Ann all five are great reasons, but the one that stands out the most for me if number #5 "Piece of Mind" that alone is priceless.

Aug 21, 2009 01:59 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Hi Mary,

So happy you agree.  I think buyers need great representation....

Ann

Aug 21, 2009 02:30 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com
Ann, I am so jealous. I wish I was at the beach with you... Hope the weather is fine. Ann
Aug 21, 2009 02:51 PM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

George,

Yes, I would have to agree...piece of mind is so important!

Ann

Aug 21, 2009 03:06 PM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Ann, Great post. It's so important for a buyer to be properly represented in a real estate transaction. And you've covered them all. Nice job.

Aug 22, 2009 01:56 AM
Ann Hayden 636-399-7544
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties-St. Louis Missouri - Des Peres, MO
SelectAnn.com

Sandy,

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope all buyers use a good agent who educates them.

Ann

Aug 22, 2009 05:28 AM