Relocating Buyers – Your Buyer Agent Could Be a Liability
As a relocating buyer you have a lot to think about and accomplish, especially if you are already a homeowner and are also selling your home. Finding a home in your new location can be a huge challenge.
Working with the right buyer agent to help find a home is essential, and when moving to a brand new area, this may be the biggest help in your home search.
But consider this – your agent COULD be a liability and not provide the help you really need.
One often thinks of liability as referring to a monetary responsibility. And if your agent IS a liability then it WILL cost you money…in terms of lost time, perhaps making the wrong choices, and other issues.
Here are some ways your buyer agent in your new location COULD be a liability:
Limited Knowledge About The Areas You Are Interested In
You don’t know these areas well, so you need someone who does. Does YOUR agent have the knowledge YOU need about communities and neighborhoods, or can help you find it?
Limited Or No Experience With Relocation
I realize some agents don’t feel this is a problem. Perhaps not. My belief is that having some knowledge of relocation, even if only from working with folks who have moved a significant distance, is a plus. Even better if you have relocated yourself so you really KNOW what it is like and have experienced the emotional and physical challenges one encounters.
Limited Use, or Understanding, of Technology
You are working with your agent from a distance, perhaps thousands of miles and in possibly different time zones. Being savvy about technology is critical – searching for homes, communication, coordinating the transaction and more.
Smartphones, voice mail, text messaging, scanning, electronic signatures are just some of the technology you should expect. The goal is to have an agent who helps make YOUR life and YOUR transaction easier and hassle-free.
Poor, Limited or Slow Communication
When you are relocating, timing can be critical. Working from a distance in different time zones complicates the process. You may have only a few weeks to accomplish a major task. Communication with your agent is essential, in any transaction, but I would argue it is even more important when dealing with a relocation.
Communication must be prompt, clear, and in a manner that gets to you when needed, whether by email, cell, texting, Facetime, Skype or a combination of these. Waiting hours to get critical information can derail a transaction and hold up other important decisions.
Need help with your relocation? Check out my Relocation A to Z blog by Jeff Dowler for lots of helpful tips, based on my own personal experiences with multiple relocations.
Or give me a call at (760) 840-1360 or email me with any specific questions.
And don’t forget to ask for my Relocation Checklist and a list of Questions to Ask Your Movers.
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