I saw a house on [BEEP] and can totally save some cash by just buying it myself, right? I mean, do I REALLY need a Realtor®?
The answer is a resounding YES. Some people think they can buy a house on their own with little to no experience, without really understanding all the things a Realtor® does to make the process so much smoother for the buyer. So today, we have expert Realtor®, Jeff Chreky, to talk us through the 5 reasons – to name just a few – you definitely need a Realtor®.
I mean, I don’t think *I* could navigate my way through a real estate contract.
It can be tricky. We specialize in writing contracts but also the ins and outs of contracts that you need to know to not just purchase real estate here but also win in a competitive market. Sometimes you will have to remove contingencies or escalate in price to win, and we know how to navigate those situations.
If I’m some rando person off the street who’s interested in a house, I couldn’t just pop into that home and look around, right?
Thats right. You must be a realtor and hold a license to tour properties and gain access to lockboxes. I spend a good part of my day touring and finding properties, both on and off the market, through top agent network, brokers and developers I’ve established good relationships with from working in the business and also some other agent platforms that only we only have access to.
What about insider connections with other people in the biz? I definitely don’t have those.
From experience, I’ve learned who the best home inspectors, contractors, lenders and title companies are that can save you thousands of dollars over time. If you use an inspector who is not very experienced, you may miss your chance to ask for necessary repairs to be made before purchasing a home. Also, if you are not using an experienced and local lender you may get locked into a high rate, lose in competition, or be misled on offerings.
I could maybe haggle my way into a great deal at an antique store, but a house? Probably not.
Tension can certainly grow fierce when directly negotiating. You need someone you can rely on in your corner who can ensure steps are taken in a correct fashion to protect both your purchase and your deposit once you enter into a contract. We also help sellers understand fair market value for their homes when they are highly attached and assist them in preparing their homes for market when getting ready to list to ensure we attract as many buyers as possible. Buying and selling a home can be very emotional, and we help guide our clients to make informed decisions.
Surprises can be fun, right? ….but not in real estate.
We always strive for smooth transactions but it can be difficult at times. It’s definitely wise to be working with someone who is knowledgeable of the market to ensure the property you are buying is a fair price and a good investment. [a client of mine was buying a million dollar home in Shaw and after doing some research we found there was a wine cellar mentioned in a previous listing. During the inspection, my client didn’t care much about finding this cellar but I just had to know if there was hidden treasure inside. We ended up finding the cellar hidden under a staging rug and tried opening the door but it was sealed shut. At that time we just so happened to have a contractor there looking at the floors who was able open the cellar door with a crow bar and there was about a foot of standing water with black mold that had spread through the floor boards.. Would’ve been an awful surprise to find later on after closing with kids living in the home.
So, don’t go at this home buying thing alone. A good Realtor® is invaluable to, not only the actual process of buying a home, but to your peace of mind as well. Jeff, thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with us! If you’re in the DC area and are looking for an expert Realtor®, check Jeff out. As always, if you want to find out exactly how much home you can comfortably afford, give us a call. A Homespire Mortgage Loan Officer would be more than happy to walk you through the process.