The Value of working with a REALTORŪ
When Purchasing a Home
Buying
a home is a complex and stressful undertaking; Getting an expert
to help will save you time, money, and aggravation.
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Advantages of working with a REALTORŪ are: |
- Looking out for your best interests:
By asking a REALTOR to act on your behalf during the
purchase of a home, you create an Agency
Relationship and become the REALTOR's client. REALTORS
always owe their clients full fiduciary duties, such as
loyalty, obedience, confidentiality, accountability, duty of
care, and full disclosure of all pertinent facts.
- Getting the best deal - Know
the Market:
What have similar properties sold for in the immediate area?
How long were they on the market? How does this one compare?
Is it over-priced, under-priced, or fair value? What type of
market is it - is it a Seller's, Buyer's or a Balanced
market? By having this information at your fingertips, you
are in a position to negotiate the best price and take
advantage of any opportunities that may show up.
- Negotiation expertise:
While a REALTOR does many things, one of his or her most
important functions is to negotiate on behalf of their
clients. When you purchase a home, you want the best deal
possible. Your REALTOR's job is to facilitate this by
drawing up legally binding contracts, assisting in
negotiating offers, offering advice and perspective and, if
needed, acting as a mediator during any potential disputes
between you and the seller.
- Finding the right home and neighborhood
for you:
REALTORS spend a lot of time and energy making sure they
know their local market inside and out. They are familiar
with the current market values of properties in the areas
you are looking and are your best resource for finding the
right home.
- Professional experience:
A REALTOR brings to the table all of his or her knowledge,
training and negotiation skills, and will explain exactly
what you can expect from the buying/selling process. He or
she will be able to explain your rights and obligations,
help organize and strategize, and even discuss financing
options.
All REALTORS are members of the National Association of
Realtors (NAR). This organization requires all of its
members to adhere to a strict Code
of Ethics and Standard of Business Practice. The Code
and Standards are very important because they assure that
all REALTORS offer the highest level of service, honesty and
integrity possible. All REALTORS are subject to constant
professional monitoring that keeps them directly accountable
to the individual consumers they serve. NAR also ensures
that all of its members are knowledgeable and highly trained
in order to better serve the public, and offers ongoing
education courses so that REALTORS continue to meet the
highest professional standards in a constantly changing
industry.
- Determining your "wish list":
What is it that you want from your new home? A particular
style, design, lot type? Proximity to schools, services,
work? A pool? A two-car garage? A specific price range? A
REALTOR will help identify exactly what it is you are
looking for and ensure that you get to see all the homes
that meet your criteria.
- Assist with financing needs:
REALTORS are familiar with all of the complexities involved
in the pre-qualification, approval and negotiation of
mortgage rates. Like many industries, banks are experiencing
quite a bit of competition and are often willing to flex
from their quoted rates. Experienced REALTORS can often
assist in finding the most competitive rates and terms
available.
- Access to Multiple Listing Services:
REALTORS have exclusive access to the Multiple Listing
Service (MLS). The MLS system also allows a REALTOR to
examine all properties for sale and short-list the ones that
are right for you. This not only offers more choices but
also saves you valuable time and effort.
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