Don’t Waste Time Filling Your Gas Tank
June 11th, 2008 categories: Buyers
Many people spend their Saturdays driving around, hoping to come upon a house for sale that will fit their needs and desires, thinking it’s a great way to get to know the neighborhoods and what the market is like.
But it just leads to confusion, lots of questions and a waste of precious gas and time. More than likely, the perfect house is the same one lots of people are looking for and, by the time you find it and contact the agent to arrange a viewing, someone may have beaten you to it.
Please — ask a Realtor for help finding a home. If you’re seriously looking, it just saves you a LOT of time from circling neighborhoods.
Here are some of the advantages of contacting a real estate agent first:
- It’s a great way to find out if the Realtor is committed to doing whatever it takes to find you the ideal home.
- An agent will direct you to the price range of homes that will fit your pocketbook. He/she may even suggest you visit some open houses but will keep you from wasting your time on areas you don’t want to move into.
- When you do visit an open house you can use the phase “I’m already working with an agent” that will let you off the listing agent’s hook.
- If something really juicy hits the market, your agent will get you there first.
- If you’re honest with your agent, let them know you’re just looking and not ready to purchase yet, they will keep in touch and get to know your likes and dislikes. By the time you are ready to buy, that agent, if they are worth their commission, will be in tune with you and will direct you to the homes that best fit your needs.
- It doesn’t cost you anthing but your commitment to work with them. You’ll receive many hours of professional guidance which you will not pay a penny for — until and unless they can accomplish your goals.
And that’s just for starters. Once you’re ready to enter into negotiations, you will know your agent well enough to know he/she is on your side and promoting your best interest.
Sure, buying a home will have its share of stress and surprises, but having a guide, consultant and trusted advisor working for you from day 1 will save you from spending your Saturdays driving around the suburbs.
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