Why Work With a Real Estate Agent?  

If you attempt to work the purchase of a home yourself, you are in charge of the transaction.  This includes market research, negotiating the purchase and sale, and handling all the legal paperwork.  While this may sound simple, be aware that it can get tricky, and may be quite demanding of your time. Be certain that you have good sources of guidance so as not to expose yourself to risk, unanticipated cost, and potential delays getting to closing.   

Buying a Home

Going it alone, you will need to:

1. Do your own market research
2. Have yourself pre-qualified
3. Schedule appointments with sellers to see properties
4. Be familiar with code and compliance issues
5. Rely on sellers, or contact insurance agents, to know the flood elevation of the property
6. Know the adjusted square footage of the property to support value
7. Be knowledgeable about comparable properties on and off the market
8. Have a history of comparable properties that closed in the recent past
9. Handle all negotiations
10. Know how to present an offer to purchase
11. Know how to limit your liability and give yourself options
12. Arrange for inspections
13. Interpret the inspection reports
14. Know the impact of the inspection reports on your purchase contact
15. Prepare a contract, or pay a attorney to draft it, if the seller is also “going it alone”
16. Pay for legal advice on terms and conditions of a contract if one is prepared by the seller
17. Know the appropriate method for placing your deposit in secure escrow
18. Follow up on timing of additional escrow deposits required by the contract
19. Move paperwork through the transaction  
20. Coordinate with mortgage companies
21. Coordinate with a title company
22. Know where to turn to protect your legal rights if a problem arises

While you may still want to seek the advice of your attorney, a qualified real estate professional is experienced in all of the above and can guide you every step along the way.  As a buyer, keep in mind that the Realtor’s fee is paid by the seller.  A Realtor works diligently to facilitate your purchase, while upholding an unsurpassed Code of Ethics.  Let their expertise go to work for you.  You deserve nothing less!