If you have either bought or sold a home at some point it is natural to question how much you trust what is going on. There are many scenarios that can come up in a real estate transaction where you better trust your agent. Here are a few helpful hints to keep in mind.
Find the right home for the right price. Hopefully your agent can drive you around and explain the different neighborhoods in depth. You can do all your research at TriValleyHomeSearch.com if they cannot. You should be aware of the surrounding areas, like the water/sewer treatment centers, day cares/schools, or anything that can affect the value or desirability of the neighborhood. Once you find the right home in the right neighborhood then you need to see the comparable sales. Have your agent go over in depth each and every sale; to explain the differences from those properties to the home you are interested. Compare price per square foot, upgrades, and lot sizes to make sure you are getting a good value. If you don’t request this information you open yourself up to be taken advantage of.
Let’s say an agent is helping a buyer find a house and they find one they like. The agent will then call the sellers agent and find out more information, and let’s say the buyer makes an offer. If you tell your agent the most you are willing to pay for a home, then you hope that information doesn’t reach the listing agent. If your agent is working hard for you they will try to do better than that price. If your agent is looking for a quick sale, then that agent has information to tell the sellers agent and make a deal happen quick and easy. The same scenario can happen with the listing agent.
Another example is repairs or upgrades when purchasing a home. If you plan to buy a home that needs some updating then it is best to get actual contractors to give you estimates rather than hear it from a realtor. If you are having inspections please be sure to be there! Follow the inspectors and have them show you any issues. Have them point out what needs to be done and explain how difficult or easy it is to fix. Agents are agents they are not contractors so be sure to listen to the inspectors and contractors. Agents can have experience to guide you but be sure to do your own research, and not completely trust your agent.
The examples continue but to sum it up, find a good well qualified agent to work with. Commit to that agent and that agent will commit back to you, but always do your own homework. Trust your agent but keep some information to yourself. Listen to your agent regarding neighborhoods, and comparables yet see everything yourself. If you have a good agent t
rust is can make the transaction very smooth!
