Eileen Wiggs
RE/MAX House of Brokers Springfield Missouri
417.887.5333
1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying
power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your
borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic
information about your available savings, income and
current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best
qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and
mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.
2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in
your home search. Sometimes the property you are
seeking is available but not actively advertised in
the market, and it will take some investigation by
your agent to find all available properties.
3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection
process by providing objective information about each
property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a
variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can
provide local community information on utilities,
zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll
want to know. First, will the property provide the
environment I want for a home or investment? Second,
will the property have resale value when I am ready
to sell?
4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are
myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited
to price, financing, terms, date of possession and
often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and
furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement
should provide a period of time for you to complete
appropriate inspections and investigations of the
property before you are bound to complete the
purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which
investigations and inspections are recommended or
required.
5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the
evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and
property, this could include inspections for
termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof
condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a
few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding
qualified responsible professionals to do most of
these investigations and provide you with written
reports. You will also want to see a preliminary
report on the title of the property. Title indicates
ownership of property and can be mired in confusing
status of past owners or rights of access. The title
to most properties will have some limitations; for
example, easements (access rights) for utilities.
Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you
resolve issues that might cause problems at a later
date.
6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding
different financing options and in identifying
qualified lenders.
7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing
process and make sure everything flows together
smoothly.
8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you
up-to-date information on what is happening in the
marketplace and the price, financing, terms and
condition of competing properties. These are key
factors in getting your property sold at the best
price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real
estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR®
can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will
significantly enhance the salability of your
property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to
other real estate agents and the public. In many
markets across the country, over 50% of real estate
sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate
agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your
REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator,
disbursing information about your property to other
real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service
or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses
for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires
REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships
when they benefit their clients.
10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to
advertise your property. There is a misconception
that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of
real estate sales are the result of agent contacts
through previous clients, referrals, friends, family
and personal contacts. When a property is marketed
with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to
allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will
generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects
through your property.
11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate
every buyer's proposal without compromising your
marketing position. This initial agreement is only
the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections
and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your
REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding,
win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it
through the process.
12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your
home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing
(or settlement), questions may arise. For example,
unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing
or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required
paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers.
Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help
you resolve these issues and move the transaction to
closing (or settlement).
Featured Agent:
Roy Swafford - As a Realtor, Having lived here
most of my life, except while serving 4 years in the
U.S. Marines. I Believe I can Help You."Residential
or Commercial"..Need help Fast? Call:
1-800-243-3135
royswaffordrealty.com
1901-A, S.
Glenstone Ave.
Springfield, MO 65804
417-882-8600
roy@springfieldmorealty.com