After 23 years in this business of helping people buy and sell homes, I have come to the conclusion that the "dream" home is just around the next corner or bend in the road. For most, the buy decision is an emotional bonding, mixed with fear-of-loss (someone else is going to get it before me). I have been out with folks who swear allegiance to a 4-bedroom, 3-bath colonial on day one and, dump it for a 5-bedroom Contemporary nestled in a wooded setting on day two. In fairness, it really is a big-deal decision and everyone goes through the process with varying degrees of anxiety and success.
If you do not have a committed buyer agent working tirelessly on your behalf, your work is doubled and your chances of success are radically diminished.
Internet savvy buyers think they have the real estate world by the tail. All you have to do is log on, find the perfect house at the right price, beat the owner down on price, buy it and live profitably ever after.
If it were that simple, there would not be 5,000,000+ Realtors still gainfully employed across the U.S.
I think shopping for properties on the Internet is a good thing. On any given day, it helps prospective buyers to learn more about the current inventory across a geographic area. However, the Internet and Google can never replace what it feels like to drive into a prospective neighborhood on a Saturday morning, so you can, 1st-hand, see who your neighbors would be, are there any swing sets, how well folks keep up their home and lot, how many cars are in front of each house, how far the school is, etc. Then onto the next neighborhood of choice until you have seen what you need to see to make a good purchase decision. A really good Buyer Agent can and should make your final selection a difficult choice, by having at least two or three properties that you would gladly purchase.
The principle reason Internet buyers don't use a Buyer Agent is that they think they are going to get the property for a lower price by eliminating the selling agent commission. Please go to whichever hard data site you wish to determine savings. Annually, there are surveys conducted by independent polling firms (employed by lenders, trade magazines, news organizations, etc.) to review differences in acquisition prices. On average, un-represented buyers end up paying a minimum of $5,000 to $12,500 more for properties purchased. This does not include the unanticipated replacements and repair needs that are discovered after move-in.
Yes, you can go and make one of the biggest and most important investments of your life without capable representation. But, why would you? If you have had a less than satisfactory experience with a Realtor in the past, you need to be more picky. Your uncle's best friend's son-in-law's cousin who has been in the business for 17 days may not be the best choice. Go on ActiveRain and see the exceptional group of seasoned professionals who are in this business, full-time and fully capable of finding you the best home, in a great neighborhood at an affordable price.
Happy hunting!
Dave Rosenmarkle
Broker/Owner
Highland Realty
Arlington, VA
(703)538-2566
evad7777@gmail.com
www.HighlandAgents.com
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