When you’re looking for a new home (or even considering it) it’s important that you have a buyer’s agent (preferably an Accredited Buyer’s Representative like me) looking out for your best interests. The seller is paying for agent commissions out of their proceeds, so you may as well take advantage of the FREE (to you) service a buyer’s agent can provide for you. A Realtor is required to provide loyalty, obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, and transparent accounting in all transactions. But what does that actually mean your buyer’s agent will do for you? Here is a breakdown of the services provided at different times during the transaction:

Help You Arrange Financing

• Assist in referring reputable lenders who offer loan programs specific to buyer’s needs
• Work with you and your lender to determine not only how much you can get approved for, but how much you want to spend.
• Educate and discuss the differences of being prequalified and preapproved for a mortgage

Assist in Finding the Right Property for You

• Help you to identify your needs and wants in a property
• Find appropriate, available properties
• Set up an automated email alert system that immediately notifies you of new properties that fit you requirements
• Sort through information on homes of interest to determine accuracy
• Provide ready access to all MLS properties
• Network with other agents from properties not yet in the MLS
• Aid in narrowing your search until you have identified your top choices
• Assist in analyzing the pro and cons of each property
• Disclose all known latent material defects

Educate You on Market Conditions

• Educate you on if it is currently a buyer’s or seller’s market
• Show statistics on  what percent of list price sellers are currently receiving
• Show trends such as average days on market, absorption rate, and current months of inventory

Guide You Through Making an Offer

• Prepare a CMA so you can make an informed decision on an offering price
• Advise you on what comparable properties are selling for
• Explain common contract contingencies
• Obtain appropriate seller disclosures
• Prioritize your goals
• Help create a negotiating strategy to meet these goals
• Ensure that you receive and understand all state and federally required disclosure forms
• Educate you on the contents of a sales contract
• Ensure that all additional required forms are completed
• Assist you in getting the best property and terms with the least amount of inconvenience
• Prepare you for multiple offer situations if they come up

Getting You to Closing

• Recommend inspectors, lenders, lawyers, and any other needed professionals.
• Be an advocate and advisor during the escrow/closing process
• Be present for the inspection to be able to fully understand the report
• Review and discuss home inspection concerns
• Monitor and communicate all required contract deadlines to ensure they are met
• Assist in coordinating communications with the listing agent, lender, attorneys, title company, appraiser, and any other professionals in the transaction
• Accompany you on the walk through prior to closing to ensure the property is in the same condition as when you entered the contract and that all agreed upon repairs have been made
• Attend the signing appointment with you to ensure you understand all closing paperwork and that all facts and figures are correct
• Remain a life-long trusted advisor regarding real estate questions, concerns, or needs.

If you have any questions regarding what a buyer’s agent can do for you feel free to contact me at 602.574.3438 or at Rachell@TwinsAndCompany.com. I am an Accredited Buyer’s Representative with a proven history of finding homes for my buyers at the right price! Check out my testimonials to see what my buyer’s have to say about their experiences of working with me.