Who Can Help Me?
Buying a home may be the biggest purchase of your life. There is a lot more to it than most people think. You may need assistance in navigating the real estate market and home-buying process. Hiring a real estate agent or broker can be a big help. A real estate agent can help you by:
- Finding budget- and location-appropriate listings
- Arranging viewings
- Communicating and negotiating with sellers
- Locating off-market listings
- Keeping the transaction moving
- Offering advice
How Do I Find the Right Home?
Once you’ve chosen a real estate agent, it’s time to start looking at properties. According to the National Association of Realtors®, the average homebuyer sees 10 properties over a ten-week period before choosing a home.
Property Viewing Checklist:
- Be respectful of a seller’s space and any possessions still in the home.
- Keep an open mind; your real estate agent can help you see the potential in each space.
- Consider taking a journal or photos to document the unique features of each property so you can accurately recall and compare features at a later time.
- Check for common structural problems that may present themselves in the form or cracks, chipping or water damage.
- Arrange a home inspector who will be able to recognize problems that may not be visible to the average homebuyer.
- Bring a tape measure; you may want to compare the space or determine how furniture and fixtures will fit.
- Listen for any environmental noise, including traffic, trains, airplanes, etc.
- Compare the listing details to the property’s tax records. Unrecorded additions or non-matching information could indicate title issues.