1. As a REALTOR®,
I can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial
reserves
plus your borrowing capacity. If you provide some basic information
about
your available savings, income and current debt, I can refer you to
lenders
best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage
companies
-- offer limited, specific choices.
2. As a
REALTOR®,
I have 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 my investigation to find all available
properties.
3. As a
REALTOR®,
I can assist you in the selection process by providing objective
information
about each property. I have access to many large networks of
informational
resources including local community information on utilities, zoning
and
schools. 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. As a
REALTOR®,
I 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.
Your
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. I can advise you as to which
investigations
and inspections are recommended or required.
5. As a
REALTOR®,
I can provide 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. I 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 delayed
by a 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. As a
REALTOR®,
I can help you in understanding different financing options and in
identifying
qualified lenders.
7. As a
REALTOR®,
I can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything
flows
together smoothly.
8. When
selling your
home, as a REALTOR®, I 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. As a
REALTOR®,
I can act 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.
My
REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires me to utilize these cooperative
relationships
when they benefit their clients.
10. As a
REALTOR®,
I 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 my help as your
REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Ask me
about advertising your property on no less than 50 Internet domains.
11. As a
REALTOR®,
I 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. I 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. As a
REALTOR®,
I am the best person to objectively help you resolve these
issues and move the transaction to closing.