When it comes to buying a residence, there’s more to it than just making an offer on a particular property. A home is one of the most important and expensive investments that most people will ever make. Take all the time you need to make an informed decision.
Many buyers opt to work with a realtor. You could look at homes all by yourself, but most individuals lack the knowledge, experience and connections that most real estate agents have. They’re trained to help people buy and sell homes.
Buying a home in California isn’t always easy. You’ll have to be on top of current economic trends and current market conditions. Even if you have a motivated buyer, there could still be untimely delays or other issues along the way. Staying focused, optimistic and determined can help you succeed.
Here are a few steps you can take when looking for a realtor who can help you buy a home:
1. Ask for referrals.
One thing that you can do right away is to ask for referrals from people that you know and trust. You might want to inquire with friends, neighbors and relatives. You could also ask coworkers and business associates.
Listen to what your family members, friends and colleagues say about the real estate agents that you’ve worked with. Try to dispel any rumors or misconceptions that may surface. Look for consistency. If people mention a particular agent more than once in a positive light, that’s a good indication that person or agency may be worth contacting.
2. Do your homework.
You can also conduct your own research. Go online to learn more about the different realtors in your area. Visit their websites and find out what homes are currently on the market.
Read reviews and testimonials. Pay attention to what former clients have had to say. You can even do deeper dives to find out how long each agent that you’ve found has been in the industry, how many homes they’ve sold and other pertinent information.
3. Think about what you want.
Take some time to think about what’s important. Why do you want to buy a home? What neighborhoods or cities would you like to live in? What kind of house are you looking for and what’s your budget?
You should also ponder what you want from your realtor. Do you want someone who is proactive or reactive? How do you want them to contact you? How many homes do you want them to find for you? Answering these and other essential concerns can help you identify your ideal realtor.
4. Narrow down your list.
By now, you probably have plenty of real estate agents to pick from. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, not every realtor may be right for you. That’s why you’ll need to narrow your search.
Pay attention to each agent’s success. Find out how many homes they’ve sold and how long they’ve been in business. Spend a few minutes reviewing their websites and marketing materials. Do they make sense? Are there any glaring omissions or grammatical errors? Any realtors that are relatively inexperienced, lack a strong track record or have questionable marketing strategies should be eliminated from your list at once.
5. Schedule meetings.
Now you’re ready to meet with a few real estate agents. Schedule meetings to discuss your intentions. Tell them what you want to accomplish and ask them how they can help you achieve your goals.
Listen closely to what they have to say. Do they make good eye contact? Do they have good answers to your questions, or do they make uncomfortable pauses?
You can also ask them questions, such as:
- Do you work in real estate part time or full time?
- Do you help people buy homes, sell homes or both?
- How long, on average, do you work with each home buyer?
- What’s your commission rate?
- Would you be willing to accept a lower commission?
- Can you help me buy a home and sell my current home?
- Do you have any references that I can contact?
Feel free to write down their responses if you’d like. Afterward, you can compare and contrast the realtors that you met with. Examine their pros and cons. What stood out and what didn’t? This can help to make the decision much easier.
6. Select a realtor.
When you’re ready, you can choose the real estate agent that’s right for you. You can schedule another meeting with them. The realtor may ask you to sign a contract with them. Read that document carefully before signing. Pay attention to any language in the contract that may prohibit you from talking with other agents while the agreement is in place.
Your realtor should work with you to develop a comprehensive plan to help you find your dream home. They will also schedule open house showings. Be sure to attend each showing if possible. You can review the interior and exterior conditions of each house that you visit. That information can then be evaluated until you’ve found a property that best meets your needs.
Conclusion
A good realtor will have your best interests at heart. They should be proactive and dedicated to every client. Your agent can also assist in scheduling a home appraisal or inspection and may even be able to recommend a good title or escrow agent after an offer has been accepted.
Once a purchase agreement has been made, it won’t be long until your homeownership goal will be complete. At closing, all final paperwork will be signed and filed. The seller will receive their payment for the net proceeds from the transaction. You’ll be given the keys to your new house and can move in whenever you want. The hard work is finally over! You can breathe easy and start looking ahead to spending many waking hours with valued people in a wonderful place that’s all your own.
📞 Have Questions? Ask The Chris Eckert Real Estate Team
Give The Chris Eckert Real Estate Team a call today at 650.627.3799 to learn more about local areas, discuss selling a house, or tour available homes for sale.
