How Real Estate Agents Help Buyers
The role of a real estate agent in Orangeville when buying a home goes far beyond just showing homes and opening doors. We have compiled a list of various ways in which your Orangeville real estate agent, also known as an Orangeville REALTOR, can help you with your new home purchase.
Buying Goals and Expectations:
- An experienced Orangeville real estate agent will help you identify your buying goals and set realistic expectations, thus ensuring that you find a home that meets your needs and desires.
Preparing you for the Journey:
- Buying a home is a process and there are various steps to be followed and costs which should be knows. Buyers will have fees additional to the purchase such as; deposit for the home, inspections, lawyers, land transfer fess and other closing costs. You should also be aware of how your need to prepare to live in your new home (switching utilities into your name, updating mailing address, etc.)
Wish List and Prioritization:
- A REALTOR will guide you in developing your wish list, putting a priority on your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and don’t wants. It is crucial to focus on what is important to you and make a more informed decision.
Market Timing:
- A knowledgeable real estate agent will recommend the ideal timing to buy a home, helping to pinpoint when the market conditions are right for you while while considering the current market trends.
Financing:
- Real estate agents can help you to obtain your mortgage pre-approval by introducing you to trusted mortgage brokers or financial lenders, helping you find the best options for your financial situation.
Listings and Neighbourhoods:
- A REALTOR will send you MLS listings of homes for sale in the area you desire or (possibly outside of that area)to keep you up to date with any prospective houses that you may not have found while doing your own searches online.
Government Programs and Rebates:
- There are available opportunities in various government programs and/or rebates that should be researched to determine if you may be eligible for.
Previewing Properties:
- When you are at work or not available your REALTOR may offer agent previews for homes your may have interest in, therefore saving your time if it just isn’t ‘the one’.
In-Person Showings:
- Seeing a home in-person is a must, sometimes the online listing photography may skew the actual look of the home, many houses look better in person, while others look worse.
Neighbourhood Knowledge:
- A local Orangeville real estate agent will be familiar with all of the neighbourhood pockets and the value in which each hold, neighbourhoods affect value, many ‘compatibles’ may not actually be of a compatible value.
Services Recommendations:
- It is always a good idea to ask your trusted real estate agent for referrals to various services providers that you may need, most REALTORS will offer at least 3 referrals for each service needed (services may include; mortgage brokers, inspectors, well technicians, septic companies, lawyers and more).
Property Records:
- GeoWarehouse offers a proficient real estate agent the tools to dive in deep and obtain centralized property information, mapping, research tools as well as professional reports. This information will help to educate you on the property.
Off-MLS Listings:
- A REALTOR may have access to homes that are for sale but not on the MLS system, giving you access to a wider range of options.
Market Valuations and CMAs:
- When you are ready to make an offer is it important to know and justify what that offer price is, an Orangeville real estate agent may provide Comparable Market Analysis (CMA) that gives your an idea of market value based off of current listings and comparable past sales.
Expenses:
- Being prepared for household expenses is important, this may include monthly expenses such as mortgage and utilities as well as potential upgrades and home maintenance costs.
Support:
- A real estate agent can help you to keep your emotions out of the deal and provide support throughout the buying process, ensuring that you are making a well-informed decision.
Negotiating Strategy:
- An experienced trusted REALTOR who is a wiz when it comes to negotiating is defiantly someone that you want by your side, recommending and executing specific negotiating strategies to ensure that you get the best deal possible.
Education:
- Like most things in life, education is key and imperative, a real estate agent will help educate you through every step of the process, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of what is happening.