HOME BUYER SEMINAR (Post 2) - Choose a GOOD REALTOR!

Recently I was explaining the process of home buying to a couple of first time home buyers that were feeling somewhat overwhelmed understanding the “whole process”. I found myself boiling it down to the fact that – if they found themselves a good Lender and a good REALTOR – they’d do just fine. I really believe that. It’s like any other time you might employ a professional -- getting dry-walling done –- having surgery -- or fighting a court battle. It only makes sense to employ an expert. We all know that choosing the right professional can make a huge difference in your overall experience.

Your REALTOR should be someone you like, and trust, and that knows their stuff. Its really important that your REALTOR have sufficient experience because they are going to be: helping you locate and then critique properties, supplying you with market data, writing an offer that protects your interests, negotiating successfully for you, being creative in solving a variety of problems that could arise, and effectively and efficiently closing the deal for you. Remember, your REALTOR doesn’t just get keys and open houses for you. They will likely spend several months helping you with a variety of tasks.

I’m very protective of my Buyers. I don’t think of what I do as “selling” them a home. Instead I provide them with a full array of services, so that they can locate the correct home and ultimately have the confidence that they made an intelligent buying decision.

A referral is a great way to find a good Realtor. Another manner is to look in the local Homes Book even. Look at whether the Realtor has certain credentials, seems to do a fair amount of business, has a website, email, etc. It seems incomprehensible today, but some REALTORS may not know how to email you listings! Another way to see if they are internet savvy would be to simply Google one – try something like Marquette MI Realtor. Checking out a REALTORS’ personal website can tell you so much about their expertise, and give you a personal feel for that agent. Visit me at www.BuyMarquette.com!

As far as credentials go--- many of us have lots of initials after our names. The more initials, the more education basically. A common designation is an ABR (Accredited Buyers Representative). Another very desireable designation is that of Assoc. Broker (one of the highest educational markers). Others may be GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute), CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) or EPro – Internet Proficiency.

Your REALTOR may spend several months working with you. They may spend many of their summer evenings and Saturday afternoons helping you to see the homes you want. In exchange for their professional assistance, they are hoping that one day they will receive compensation for their time spent. You have a right to find the correct REALTOR for you. You do not HAVE to work with the first one you speak to. However, it becomes much less complicated if you will set out to find the right professional for you and then be loyal to them. REALTORS work within a Code of Ethics, which among other things requires us to inquire about whether or not our buyers are already working with another agent, and sometimes requires us to pay another agent a portion of our commission because they may have had some previous contact with you. So, it just makes sense to find the “right” partner early on and then stick with them.

I'd love to be your Buyers Agent!
Stay tuned -- I'll see you next week ~ Liz