4 Keys to Working with a Real Estate Professional

Aside from making sure you choose a real estate broker who will fit well with your personality type and has your best interests in mind, there are other things to think about when you start working with someone to find a home. Here are a couple key points to help get you started on the home buying process.

1. Determine your wants vs needs. We want to help you as much as possible, and there’s no point looking at homes that won’t be right for you, so try to come up with a list of wants verse needs ahead of time and share this with your broker. In addition, try to be realistic about what you can purchase with your price range. If you are looking for the perfectly finished and modernly updated home but don’t want to pay top dollar you may need to re-evaluate what is truly necessary. Of course, it would be nice to get everything on your “wants” list, but you may have to narrow it down to just a few items if you aren’t finding exactly what you are looking for.

2. If you are not planning to pay cash for the property, speak with a mortgage lender early in the process. Again, we want to make the best use of your time, and there is no point in having you fall in love with a house only to find out that you can’t secure a loan for it. You will also need a pre-qualification letter or proof of funds to make an offer, so come prepared in case you do find the home of your dreams.

3. Be honest. We won’t be offended if you don’t like certain features about a home, but we also can’t read minds. If you tell us what you do and don’t want, we can make better use of your time by not sending listings that don’t meet your qualifications. If you aren’t sure what you want, speak with your broker and they can help you determine what features will best serve you in a home or investment property.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. We don’t expect you to know everything, that’s our job. No questions are too silly to ask. Most agents spend hours upon hours studying and researching and gaining real life experience in the field and would never expect a client to understand every detail of the process. We want you to be informed and make the best investment for your future, so don’t hesitate to express your questions and concerns.