Here is the biggest mistake home buyers make when deciding it is time to buy a house.
The most common error is not spending enough time choosing a real estate agent. Why is interviewing prospective agents so important?
If you are looking for the best buy on a house you need the best Realtor to lead the way. Everybody wants a deal when buying a house. And why not? For most people it is the biggest purchase of their life.
But buyer beware! There is another bargain you need to find before you shop for a house. Look for a great Realtor! Indeed this action could have the greatest impact on your home buying experience.
But the trick is deciding your criteria for choosing a real estate agent.
Line up meetings with three to five Realtors. Just as you are not going to buy the first house you see, you need to shop for an agent. Just as you will probably look at many houses before you decide which is right for you, don't settle for the first Realtor you meet without interviewing at least two more.
Choosing a real estate agent, the one right for you, to guide you through the entire house buying process is essential to your success.
Here is another tip. A big mistake many home buyers make is skipping from agent to agent to find their dream home. Don't! Instead make it your intention to find an agent you are going to stick with.
Believe me, don't let greed trick you into thinking that you are limiting your opportunities by working with just one specific broker. It is actually just the opposite. If you hunt for the best agent you can find before shopping for a house, you are far more likely to discover that dream home you are looking for.
So invite several real estate brokers to your home instead of going to their office. Watch how they relate to you and your family. If you feel they are hesitant around you, move on to the next candidate.
Most important, do you feel comfortable with them?
Before they visit prepare a list of questions you will want to ask during the interview. Start by briefly explaining what you want to accomplish. In two or three sentences tell why you need the services of a real estate agent and what type of property you are looking for.
It is important that you merely state your intention at first and not launch off into detail. After all, you are the interviewer and the Realtor is the interviewee. Then take note of their reactions to your needs.
Ask these questions during your interview.
#1 Why did you choose the real estate industry? As they speak with you, observe whether they are passionate about their profession.
You can continue questioning.
#2 May I speak with a several of your previous home buyers? In the next day or two, follow through and call them. Look for indications during your conversation pointing to this agent being someone you can work with.
#3 Do you specialize in certain types of property? Personally I like working with agents who focus on certain areas, neighborhoods, or types of property. For example, if I am looking for a condo, choosing a real estate agent that specializes in condos makes the most sense.
#4 Finally, ask them to describe their game plan. Because you have a certain goal in mind, you want to know how they will go about bringing you the solution you are looking for. The best brokers with a strategy can easily articulate their plans. See if their strategy matches up with your goals.
After interviewing several Realtors, it is time to make a decision. Try using a process of elimination by asking yourself some of the following questions.
What agents do you feel uncomfortable with? Which ones answered your questions directly and which didn't? Are they enthusiastic about helping people? Who can you freely question without feeling ignorant? Does their expertise match the type of homes and the neighborhoods you are interested in? Can they articulate a specific strategy and if so what is it?
Now it's time to choose a real estate agent and go find that home you are dreaming about.
Kate Ford at Get Your Best Mortgage Rate is today's mortgage translator on a crusade to help homeowners save money. For buying a house and how to get a mortgage, get answers online in real-time from Kate.
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