WHY SHOULD I USE A REAL ESTATE AGENT
Why should I use a real estate agent to help me buy my home?
Buying a home may seem overwhelming even though you may have experienced is several times. Each home purchase has its own set of unique circumstances and obstacles, but in the end, home ownership is the reward.
You don’t have to attempt the process alone! A licensed agent has the training, skills, and experience to help you through each step of the process. Additionally, a licensed agent represents a valuable source of information about market trends, communities and neighborhoods, and especially, homes for sale throughout the area. An agent offers you expertise in his or her market in addition to complete access to regularly updated information about every home listed with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Where do I start looking for a home?
Let’s make a list and set priorities in the following three areas:
Budget: How much home can you afford? Get qualified through a lender. Knowing your price range will save you and your agent valuable time.
Location: Are you relocating to a new town because of a new job, or to be closer to your current job? How will the location of schools, shops, and transportation affect your choice of communities?
Personal tastes: How large of a home do you need? What style of architecture do you prefer? Depending on where you live, you may have a choice of homes in dozens of styles, sizes, and settings.
As you consider your priorities in these three areas, conduct your own research. Drive through neighborhoods that appeal to you. Read the real estate listings in the newspaper to learn about current prices in the areas you are considering. Talk to friends and family about the features that you would really like to have in your home. The more educated you become, the easier it will be to make the right decision.
How do I find the right agent?
The key word is right. While there is no shortage of qualified agents to choose from, it is important that you find one who fully understands your wants, needs, and individual tastes.
Most real estate companies throughout the United States have both buyer and seller agency. You should be presented with a disclosure statement by an agent before any working relationship between the two of you begins. That statement should explain what a buyer’s agent is and does, what a sellers agent is and does, and what dual agency is and does. It is very important to remember that real estate firms are governed by state laws that can vary and disclosure laws may also vary.
What should I look for in a new neighborhood?
Good city services, nice parks and playground facilities, convenient shopping and transportation, a track record of sound development and good planning. These are just a few considerations that are important to many people when they choose a community in which to live. Neighborhood information is only a click away from every listing on our site. Contact us for your FREE neighborhood report.
As for individual neighborhoods in Tucson, there is no better source of information than a Tucson real estate agent. Agents know the people and the communities they serve, and chances are they can help you find a neighborhood that really fits your family’s needs.
Where can I get reports on local schools?
Again, a good real estate agent is perhaps your best source. They know where the schools are and can provide you with valuable information about school districts, including test scores, extracurricular activities, bus service, and more. If you’re relocating, an agent may even be able to put you in touch with teachers and principals when you visit the area. We offer free information about area school districts.
How can I find out what homes are selling for in a certain area?
In most areas, home sales are a matter of public record. You can get all the information you want about recent sales, including prices and listing times by calling the county Recorder of Deeds. Complete reports and additional information are available at our office.
An easier way is to ask you real estate agent. If you are interested in a particular home, an agent may be able to provide you with a list of comparables (sales) of homes in your area that are roughly the same size and age as the home you are considering. Although there will certainly be some differences between the homes, the house next door may have an extra bedroom,, or the one down the street may be older than the one you are considering. It is a good way to evaluate the seller’s asking price.
How can I find out what my property taxes will be?
Usually, the total of the previous year’s property taxes is included on the listing information sheet for the home. If not, ask to see the seller’s receipt.
Remember, tax rates change from year to year, so the previous year’s amount should be considered simply as a “ballpark” figure. For a more precise projection, call the local assessor’s office for assistance, or ask your real estate agent.
If I am relocating, is there any way I can view homes before I arrive?
Yes. Today’s Multiple Listing Service, which include up to 90% or more of the homes listed in any given community, have made it relatively easy for buyers to access detailed information on homes for sale from practically anywhere in the country.
When I start seeing homes, what should I look for?
The house you ultimately choose to call home will play a major role in your family’s life. A home can be an excellent investment, of course, but more importantly, it should fit the way you really live, with spaces and features that appeal to everyone in the family.
As you look at each home, consider the following questions:
- Is there enough room for you now, and in the near future?
- Is the home’s floor plan right for your family?
- Is there enough storage space?
- Will you have to replace the appliances?
- Is the yard the size that you want?
- Are there enough bathrooms?
- How much maintenance and/or decorating will you need to do right away? Later?
- Will your present furniture work in the home?
- How many bedrooms will I need?
Whether you are married or not, or have kids or not, spare bedrooms come in handy when family and friends come to stay. And when you are not having guests, extra rooms are useful as a library, den, or TV room.
Another good reason to choose a home with extra bedrooms: Extra space will make your home more appealing to a larger number of interested buyers when it comes time to sell.
What is a better value, old or new?
It is a matter of personal preference. Both new and older homes offer a distinct advantage, depending upon your unique taste and lifestyle.
New homes generally have more space in the rooms where today’s families do their living, like a family room or activity area. Usually they are easier to maintain.
However, many homes built years ago offer more total space for the money, as well as larger yards. Taxes on some older homes may also be lower.
Some people are charmed by the elegance of an older home buy shy away because they are concerned about potential maintenance costs. Consider a home warranty to get the peace of mind you deserve.
What should I bring when looking at homes?
Bring your own:
- Notebook and pen for note-taking
- Flashlight for seeing enclosed areas
- Tape measure for checking room sizes, clearance, etc.
- Be prepared to “snoop around” a little. After all, you want to know as much as possible about the home you buy. Sellers understand that because their home is on the market, it will be looked over pretty thoroughly.
If you need to go back to a home for another look, your agent will be happy to schedule an appointment. Also, be sure to ask any questions you have about the home, even if you feel you are being nosy. You have a right to know.
What questions should I ask about each home?
As a rule of thumb, ask any questions you have about specific rooms, features, or functions. Pay particular attention to areas that you feel could become “problem” areas, such as additions, defects, areas that have been repaired. If you feel your question hasn’t been answered to your satisfaction, keep asking until it has.
In most cases, your real estate agent will be able to provide you with detailed information about each home you see.
What should I tell my agent about the homes I’ve viewed?
Tell the agent everything you liked and didn’t like about each home you see. Don’t be shy about talking about a home’s shortcomings. Is the home too small for your needs? Let the agent know. Was the home perfect except for the carpeting? Let the agent know.
How many homes should I look at before purchasing?
There is no set number of homes you should look at before you decide to make an offer on one. That’s why providing the agent with as many details as possible is so helpful. The perfect home may be waiting for you on your first visit. Even if it isn’t, the house-hunting process will help you get a feeling for the homes in the community and narrow your choices to a few homes that are worth a second look.
How do I know I’m getting the best value?
A professional appraisal is the best way to tell if a home is priced fairly. A real estate appraisal is an unbiased opinion of a property’s value based on its style and appearance, construction quality, usefulness, and other factors, including the value of comparable properties nearby. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will have a professional real estate appraiser perform an appraisal of the property.