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Maria Morton |
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| Address: 435 Nichols Rd Fl 3 Kansas City, MO 64112 County: Jackson Office: 1-816-410-5499 Cell Phone: 1-816-560-3758 |
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THE ROLE OF THE REAL ESTATE AGENT IN YOUR PURCHASE by Maria Morton
Home buyers today have more options than ever before in history. The buying process can be likened to a series of choices. Your agent, or Realtor©, helps you to make wise decisions at each juncture. Each agent is an independent contractor so services and styles vary greatly. To give you some idea of what your agent can do for you, here are the basic services I provide for my clients:
• Initial Consultation
• Lender evaluation and referral
• Keep your information and position confidential
• Help you identify neighborhoods and floor plans that might work for you
• Preview properties on your behalf as indicated
• Arrange organized showing trips for you
• Evaluate each house, area and market
• Interpret historical & recent data affecting property values
• Provide my best advice and counsel at each step in the process
• Present offers to your best advantage
• Negotiate the best possible deal
• Keep you informed of progress (or lack thereof)
• Research any answers when needed
• Manage the transactional details
• Contract analysis and contingency management
• Monitor lender and title company progress
• Coordinate Inspections and arrange access for inspectors
• Communicate often and honestly
Not all agents see their role in the same way; some may have a ‘salesperson’ type mindset while others may want to ‘mother’ their clients. Try to choose an agent who will treat you as you wish to be treated and provide the service you desire.
Where do you find agents to talk with to see if you like their demeanor? Try googling local real estate blogs, look at who’s answering questions on Trulia, Zillow, or yahoo!. Read what they write; do you like what they have to say and the way they say it? The internet is a good tool for you to find out more about local agents before you meet them in real life (IRL). Checking out Open Houses is also a good way to meet different agents.
Remember, you’re the buyer; you don’t need to be ‘sold’ – you need someone who will guide you through the process with the best advice.
When you feel ready, meet the agent in person for an initial consultation. They should have some information for you which explains the Buying Process, how Showings are arranged in your area, Terms of the purchase contract, and the flow of the transaction after your offer is accepted. They should also ask you a lot of questions; that’s how they will know what you want and need and be able to determine if they are the one to help you. If it feels right, contract with that agent to represent you. If it doesn’t feel right, keep looking.
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