You’ve decided to buy or sell a home and you’ve found a Realtor® who is experienced, professional, and someone you believe you can work with. Congratulations! You’ve taken the first important step in your real estate journey.
Your Realtor® is your best advocate before, during, and after your home purchase or home sale. A real estate transaction is packed with complexities with a lot of money on the line. You need a qualified advocate to help you understand and navigate those complexities and ensure you get the very best deal.
Before the Transaction
If you’re a seller, an experienced Realtor® will have key insights on current market values. They will help you determine the right listing price. Your agent will also provide tips on preparing your home for sale and can provide recommendations for tradesmen such as landscapers, handymen, moving companies, and a host of others.
When you’re ready to list your home, your Realtor® will have everything in her toolbox to provide the widest exposure of your listing to potential buyers. This will include the multiple listing service, open houses, dedicated websites, and access to a vast array of internet real estate sites.
For a buyer, your Realtor® will determine your needs, wants, and budget. They will be able to provide a list of homes that fit your criteria, saving you hours of time trolling through internet sites. Think of her as your own personal shopper for your new home. If you’re new to the area, your Realtor® is a great resource for finding just the right neighborhood for you. If you haven’t chosen a lender, your agent can recommend several who can find the right loan program for you.
During the Transaction
Negotiation: This is where an experienced agent with well-honed negotiation skills really shines. Negotiating the best price to buy or sell a home is a unique skill, one that comes from understanding the market and the client’s needs. And price isn’t the only thing to negotiate. Closing dates, who pays for HOA transfer fees & home warranties, which title company to use, what repairs will be requested and agreed to, etc. are all negotiable items.
Unraveling the web: Once you’re under contract, there are a number of things that need to happen and most of them are time sensitive.
For the buyer, your earnest money will need to be deposited with the title company, inspections will need to be scheduled, documents will need to be submitted to your lender, etc.
For the seller, tradesmen will be needed to handle agreed upon repairs, and movers, cleaners, and landscapers will need to have the home ready for the buyer. All these tasks and many more will be facilitated by your Realtor® who will keep you informed and on track.
After the Transaction
There is nothing so rewarding for a Realtor® than seeing the relief their sellers feel on closing day when they receive the proceeds from their sale, and the happiness on their buyer’s faces when they’re handed the keys to their new home. But a Realtor’s job doesn’t end there.
A top-notch agent will work hard to provide value to their clients long after the closing day. She will likely have a list of service providers, contractors, & tradesmen available if you need a recommendation. Realtors® are required to keep copies of all transaction documents for a number of years. So when tax time rolls around and you need a copy of your settlement statement, your Realtor® will be able to help.
Looking for a Realtor®? Contact The Donnelly Group!
Choosing the right Realtor® is one of the best decisions you can make, and you’ll reap the benefits before, during, and long after the transaction. We would love the opportunity to prove that the Donnelly Group would be the right Realtor® for you!
Contact the Donnelly Group at 480-792-9700 or by email. Allow our team to be your advocate!
