1.The buyer’s agent commission is paid by the seller-not you. Hiring a buyer’s agent is like hiring a personal real estate trainer (to move you through the process) for free.
2.A buyer’s agent can sell you any home on the market or any home coming on the market. If you can buy it, a buyer agent can probably help you buy it far more efficiently and at a better price and terms.
The steps of the home buying process and how your agent saves you time and money:
1.Needs Analysis (before you start driving around on your days off):
a.Take you through process to analyze your wants vs. needs
b.Using 300 criteria checklist, help buyer get a clear, detailed picture of your next home
2.Prequalification or Preapproval
a.Guide you to a loan officer offering the best rates
b.Help you obtain prequalification or preapproval
c.Help choose the best mortgage finance plan
3.Neighborhood information
a.Create detailed neighborhood search profile from final criteria
b.Provide list of target neighborhoods and key information for each
i. Schools, parks, shopping, worship, healthcare
4.Home Search (Now it’s time to drive)
a.Organize and schedule (with sellers) the home tour (s)
b.Help you see 12 homes in the time you would see 3 on your own
c.Provide ongoing updates and showings of newly available homes
5.Make an offer
a.Help compare select homes to your final criteria list
b.Help make final decision on home
c.Tell you the price paid for comparable homes in recent history
d.Advise on terms and issues related to the offer
e.Fill out purchase offer contract
6.Negotiating to buy
a.Present the offer to seller
b.Negotiate on your behalf (with constant dialogue) using skills from experience
c.Provide knowledge of each and every concession possible
7.Vendor selection and coordination
a.Advise and supervise on vendor selection (lender, inspector, attorney, contractor)
b.Reliable, proven vendors that perform
c.Coordinate vendor service and progress towards close
8.Preclose preparation
a.Coordinate and supervise document preparation (20 documents)
b.Provide preclosing consulting
9.Closing
a.Preview final closing documents
b.Resolve last minute issues (move-in date changes etc.)
