Buying a home is like no other purchase. There is nothing more meaningful to your life than your home It is a place to build special memories and loving relationships, a place where people who care about each other can come together and share a sense of belonging. Home is the place where we are nurtured and fed, where we feel safe and secure. This is where we return again and again; where our children learn foundational values and acquire the building blocks of respect for themselves and for others. It is an abode but it can also be a community.
An appreciation of these truths is critically important to the quality of a real estate transaction and why you must choose a Realtor who values these truths. It requires a genuine commitment to the quality of your experience as well as the respect of peers. You want someone that understands that real estate transactions involve not just property and financial transactions, but people and their lives. When you’re ready to buy a home, who can you can count upon to be your trusted advisor; to be informed when you need answers, intuitive when you need guidance, innovative when you need results?
The term Realtor and agent are not interchangeable. The State of New York licenses all real estate agents. However, while a Realtor is always a licensed agent or broker, not all licensees are Realtors.
To be a Realtor, an agent or broker must subscribe to a high level of ethical conduct. At very least the person who represents you in your home purchase should be a Realtor.
Experience does matter; purchasing a home is a complicated process. Identifying the right property is just a start. See the buyer’s questionnaire link. You will need someone to guide you through the purchase’s many steps. While every transaction is different, an experienced agent most likely will have encountered many of the challenges that arise in one form or another and know how to solve problems before they become insurmountable issues. There are many fundamentals that an agent must understand and then be able to explain clearly to you; basic home construction, legalities, financial hurdles, environmental concerns, property values and last, but not least, negotiating strategies. Frequently sellers’ agents also make excellent buyers’ agents. They understand the market exceedingly well and have an insider’s perspective on how sellers think and feel. This can be a great help in navigating through the transaction.
A referral from another trusted source is one of the best ways of finding good representation, especially if that source has had personal experience with the referred agent. If more than one person refers that agent that’s better still! And if you can find one where the referrer is an adamant advocate, you’ve hit the jackpot! If you can’t get a referral, then by all means ask for references.
Ask questions; if a Realtor is forthcoming with answers and makes TIME for you, then you are on the right path. If you have the feeling that you are not being listened to in your first interview, then the chances are great that you won’t be listened to later.
Fit matters. We all know that we feel more comfortable with some people than others. You want someone who will be on your side, an advocate taking care of you as well as taking care of the transaction. You’ll want someone who will be there for you long after you’ve moved into your new home. Look no further!
