By Nathan Walldorf, ABR, GREEN, GRI, SFR, e-Pro
President, Greater Chattanooga Association of REALTORS®
In last week’s column, we focused on the benefit for sellers in using a REALTOR®. This week, we revisit that same topic from a buyer’s perspective.
Many buyers start their home search process by browsing the internet, looking through a real estate magazine or newspaper, or by simply driving around to see what homes are for sale. When a buyer finds a house of interest, they call the agent whose name is on the yard sign or in the ad.
Here are five reasons it is best to have your own REALTOR® helping you when buying a home.
1. That the real estate agent with the sign in the yard represents the seller, not you. You want someone looking after you, the buyer, as their primary client, just as the seller as someone looking out for their best interests.
2. A REALTOR® will make sure you are buying a home for what it is worth. Your REALTOR® will research comparable sold homes so you know what the home you are buying should be worth.
3. A REALTOR® will guide you through the lending and buying process. REALTORS® know what lender will give you the least problems, they know the best title companies, and they know the best home inspectors. They want to make your home purchase as easy and smooth for you as possible.
4. A REALTOR® will guide you through negotiating a sales price, which can be touchy and emotional. A REALTOR® can serve as a buffer between the buyer and seller. At the end of the negotiations, hopefully both parties get something of value.
5. A REALTOR® will make sure the home is in the condition at the time of occupancy by the buyer. I’ve encountered many sellers who did not use a REALTOR® in their initial purchase. Shortly after moving in they had to make repairs that should have been done as part of their initial purchase. The sellers did things like taking light fixtures out of the home and not replacing them. These same sellers did repairs poorly. One buyer never did a home inspection, because they didn’t have an agent to tell them to do it. They simply trusted the seller, and they ended up doing many more repairs on the house over time than they had planned on. You don’t want to have a money pit, you want a home to live in.
Find your own REALTOR® today to help you buy your home. You will not regret it.