Shorten your search.
What Agents Know And what they can find out.
A knowledgeable agent knows exactly what's in your price range, which helps tremendously in identifying the right home at the right price in the right neighborhood. That's a valuable service. Agents also have access to a variety of informational resources that you don't.
One is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), a searchable database of residential properties in your region. Just plug in anything from your wish list: number of bedrooms or baths, etc., at a certain price in a particular geographical area, and the MLS generates all the homes for sale with those features in your price range, perhaps not listed in the real estate section of your newspaper or on the Internet.
Buyer Brokers Provide the Unvarnished Truth Why?
Remember when it comes to negotiating a sales price, the Realtor does NOT represent you or your financial interests, under the traditional definition of "agency."
Unless you contract specifically with the agent to represent YOU the buyer as a "buyer-broker," he or she is beholden to the seller-strange but true. If you do decide to hire an agent as a buyer's broker, you'll enjoy certain advantages from the outset.
Unlike the traditional form of agency where the agent cannot tell you which home to buy, how much to offer for it, or criticize the neighborhood, a buyer's broker is free to point out any of those things. Your broker will not be "muzzled" in what he or she can or cannot say about a home listing. Remember that although an agent can provide valuable advice, it's up to you to always look out for your own interests-no one can do that for you. Don't agonize over whether to choose a buyer's broker or standard agent. The main priority is finding a quality agent to assist you.
Now That You Have Some Help...
And know what to look for in a good neighborhood, let's take a look at how to rate specific homes and neighborhoods.
Learning in Action...
Next, you'l learn how to rate homes and neighborhoods.
Page 5 of 7
