Frequently Asked Questions

When buying a home, it’s strongly recommended you have a Realtor/agent.  There are many reasons why you should have an agent represent your best interests when buying a home.  Keep in mind, all Agents are not the same!  When choosing a buyers agent, make sure you know how to properly interview prospective Agents when buying a home.

Attempting to buy a home without an Agent can really make the home buying process more difficult.  Having an agent is always recommended when buying a home.  One thing not to do when buying a home is calling the listing agent because you don’t want to “bother” your Realtor.  This is one thing that real estate agents hate.

One reasons why buyers ask the question about the need of having a Realtor when buying a home is because they don’t understand who pays the Realtor fees when buying a home.  There are no guarantees, however, in most cases the seller pays the agent fees.

Before getting involved with a short-sale, it’s important you understand exactly what it is and what to expect from a short sale.  The easiest way to understand a short sale is the sale of a home in which the proceeds from the sale are less than the balance of debts secured by liens against the property and the home owner cannot afford to pay the liens in full.

Before purchasing a short sale, you should consider things such as the time it can take for a short sale response, the fact that a foreclosure is still possible, and that many short sale properties are in disarray.  Short sales are not impossible to buy but you must be patient and be in no immediate rush to move.

Believe it or not, foreclosures can actually be a smoother transaction than a short sale.  A foreclosure, sometimes referred to as a REO, is a property that is owned by a lender.  If you’re considering the purchase of a foreclosure, it’s important to understand that most are sold “as-is.”  Foreclosures, if not purchased by an owner occupant, are often purchased by investors, fixed up, “flipped,” and sold to a owner occupant.

When buying a home, a common question home buyers have is regarding the neighborhood/area.  As a real estate professional, there are rules against steering and providing personal insight into specific areas and neighborhoods.  This doesn’t mean that your Agent cannot provide you with tips to help you choose the right neighborhood when buying a home.  Many buyers wonder about the growth of the local economy, crime statistics, taxes, and local amenities.  If you have a top Agent when buying a home, you should be able to receive all of the pertinent information to allow you to make an educated decision on areas and neighborhoods.