O.K. – so now we need to find you a home! You’ve already been pre-approved by your Lender, so we know about what price range you qualify for, and want to purchase in. You’ve also already chosen your REALTOR.
Your REALTOR needs to know both your needs and wants in a home. You can relay this information to them by meeting with them, through a phone conversation, or by describing these things in an email. On my website, I also have a form that you can fill out – that will prompt you for the needed information. Your REALTOR will want to know for instance, how many bedrooms and baths you will need – about what amount of square footage you might want – the age of the home you would be interested in (do you like vintage homes, or do you want a more modern home) – if you are o.k. with a “fixer-upper” or need to have the home closer to “move-in” condition – what areas or neighborhoods you like – related to that, what school system do you prefer – what size of lot do you prefer – even, how busy the road is in case you have children or pets – are there types of construction that you prefer (conventional frame, modular, manufactured, mobile) – do you want a garage, a basement, a family room, a fireplace, etc.
Armed with this information, your REALTOR will begin to set up your “search” on the computer. They are searching the entire MLS (Multiple Listing Service). The MLS is a single system that every participating Real Estate Agency places their listings into. We “share” our listing information, and the ability for ANY agent to show and sell that property. The MLS is the broadest representation of properties for sale in any particular area. You should understand that -- even though there are many Real Estate Agencies, a single REALTOR can help you to purchase ANY home that is in the MLS. Sometimes people unfamiliar will think that the agent can only show their own listings, or those of their firm and that is not the case.
So once your search is completely set up, it is usually emailed to you. You will be able to examine lots of detailed information about each property and look at photos and hopefully a Virtual Tour. Personally, when I set a new client up on a computer search, I will also set them up on "auto email". This feature allows my client to receive all “new listings” that continue to hit the market after I’ve sent them their initial search. You will receive these listings one by one, just minutes after they hit the market! I will also receive notification of what you are receiving so that I am up to speed on your search, and so that I can give you any additional information that I might be aware of.
Now your REALTOR knows you and knows what you are looking for, and if they are on the ball, they may be able to benefit you by letting you know about homes that are just coming onto the market – before too many other buyers know about them. In our office we spread the word amongst one another the moment we list a new home – and this could be days before this home gets into the computer system. :}
You will review your list of homes, choose the ones that you like best, drive by the homes to see that you like the neighborhood, and then ask your REALTOR to set up showing appointments. Most often your REALTOR will need at least one day ahead to get these appointments set up with the owners of the homes.
When we tour the homes we will look for both good and bad elements. Your REALTOR should have a Sellers Disclosure on hand during your showings. We’ll look specifically at that for clues to any concerning items such as a leaky roof or basement. As you tour more and more homes you will get a better sense of what you really like – and your REALTOR will be paying attention so that they can help find that perfect one for you.
Little by little we will fine tune your search, and hopefully shortly we will walk into the one you think could become YOUR home. Next week we’ll talk about making an offer on it!
Lets get out there and look at some homes! ~ Liz
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