As My Agent, What Will You do For Me?
As a buyer, you have lots of decision to make and many responsibilities. And some buyers decide to pursue purchasing a home without using an agent – making decisions without advice from a professional, making offers without really understanding the market and the value of the target property, and so on. And that’s a personal choice.
I guess I don’t understand why, when making the biggest purchase decision of your life as a consumer, you would not want to have the expert advice of someone who knows the real estate business and the market, to help you.
I’m sure you are asking, well, as my agent, what will you do for me?
There are a lot of things I can and will do as a licensed real estate professional and I have written several articles about this (read more here):
- A critical thing I will do is help you strategize about your offer – how much (making sure you know the value compared to similar properties that have sold), contingencies you should request, timing, financial terms, and more. And I will help you complete the 8 pages of the purchase agreement here in CA (plus multiple other documents).
- The other major issue is confidentiality. I will honor that, and keep all information confidential from the seller and listing agent unless your permission is granted to share it. Some things SHOULD be shared to help you in your negotiations, while others should not.
All in all my responsibility as YOUR AGENT is to look out for YOUR fiduciary interests, and to represent YOU in the real estate transaction and NOT the seller.
What is MOST Important When Selecting Your REALTOR?
As a first time buyer you have a critical job – making a decision as to which REALTOR you are going to work with to help you buy your first home. Although deciding WHICH home to buy is probably the other critical decision that you will need to make.
Selecting your agent is a huge decision and you shouldn’t take it lightly. But what is MOST important when selecting your REALTOR?
A big part of the answer to that question depends on you. So I suggest you think about what is MOST important to you, as you talk with possible team members.
- Is it the person who has the most experience?
- The person who has sold the most homes?
- The agent who has every credential in the book?
- That person who is a techie and has all the bells and whistles?
- Is it the agent that makes you feel comfortable? The one who genuinely seems to want to help YOU make a crucial decision, and NOT just earn a paycheck?
- The individual who seems to be the most competent and knowledgeable?
- The person who knows that area(s) you are interested in?
My point here is that all of these are issues for you to consider, among others I’m sure you will think of. Some things may be more important to you than others.
I believe that the relationship between agents and their clients is really the key to success. There has to be a sense of trust, and honesty; integrity and loyalty; and a real concern for you, the buyer. YOU are the one who is most important in the relationship.
There are lots of folks out there who have the knowledge, know the technology, and have helped people buy and sell homes. But you have to decide based on what is most important, and comfortable, for you. Don’t make a hasty decision on this…trust me. But I think you will also know when you have found the right person to help you in the most important, and expensive, purchase of your life.
Good luck!
Buying Your First Carlsbad Home – The Pest Inspection
One of the forms that you will need to complete as part of your offer for buying you first Carlsbad home is the “Wood Destroying Pest Inspection and Allocation of Cost Addendum” (called the WPA, for short).
Termites, and other insects that destroy or damage wood, are a big problem in many parts of California. If you are financing your home the mortgage compnay will require that your Carlsbad home have a pest inspection and that the seller obtain a clearance that termites and other critters have been destroyed.
Normally the inspection is completed by the seller (and paid for), and any work needed to take care of what is called Section 1 conditions – evident infestation and/or infection. The buyer generally is expected to take care of Section 2 conditions (those likely to result in infestation or infection). But like many things these are negotiable.
Some homes are sold “as is” and you will be required to do this inspection yourself (and of course pay for it). In some short sales, for example, because of the financial situation of the seller, the owner may only do the inspection and report, but not the repairs, and sometimes not even that. It is part of your due diligence in this case to investigate the possibility of termite issues.
Buying Your First Carlsbad Home – The Offer
The offer part of the purchasing process often cause new buyers the most grief and aggravation. Even more so when they see the actual document used here in Carlsbad (and all of the California) to submit the proposal to the seller.
The purchase document itself is 8 pages, and there are other forms that must be included as well. Knowing in advance what you willl need to consider when making the offer will help you be as prepared as possible.
Read my recent post on the RPA, the Residential Purchase Agreement and JOint Escrow Instruction, for more details on stuff you will need to decide on.
Carlsbad Buyers and the Homeowner’s Property Tax Exemption
If you are buying a new home in Carlsbad, or other areas in San Diego County, you should know about the property taxes and the Homeowner’s Tax Exemption.
