Purchasing a home can be an overwhelming experience. However, hiring a “Buyers Agent” can take the pain and fear of the unknown out of the process. The following is a step by step guide. As a licensed REALTOR® and Accredited Buyers Representative, (ABR), I have been trained to help Buyers make good decisions.
Hire a Buyers Agent
Buyers Agents are paid by the Seller. This fee is called a “Co-Brokeage Agreement”. When a home is listed in the Multiple Listing Service, the Listing Agent offers a percentage of the commission to other agents in order to get assistance in the Sale of the property. So the good news is that the Buyers Agent works for FREE for the Buyer! Cindy Norton, Carolina One Real Estate, REALTOR®, ABR, 843.574.3123.
Get Pre-qualified with a Lender
A pre-qualification letter is a must! A lender will take your work history, income and debt information, and tell you what types of loans and the amount you qualify for. This is REQUIRED in order to put an offer in on a property. Click Here to apply with Nancy Hughes, Carolina One Mortgage. Online applications are easy, quick and FREE!
Meet with your Buyers Agent
This process helps you find the area, type and specifics of your new home. This may take one or more trips looking at property. This is a process of elimination of which homes you like and suits your needs best. When you finally find the home of your dreams it is time to Make an Offer!
Writing the Offer and Negotiating the Contract
A Buyers Agent will provide you with a Comparable Market Analysis, (CMA). This report shows what price range “like properties” have sold for in the past 3-6 months. This will determine what the offer will be, based on other incentives such as closing date, Seller assistance with closing costs, Home Warranty and any other contingencies.
Home Inspection
A home inspection is always advisable in order to find any problems with the property. I recommend Alan Miles, of Centurian Home Inspection. He provides the Buyer with a digital home inspection that shows not only issues with the property, but where the water shut off valve is and other pertinent information.
Closing – when the deed is transferred from the Seller to the Buyer
The closing is handled by a Real Estate Attorney. I recommend Weeks, Foti, Irvine and Donaldson, LLC. They provide excellent customer service, reasonable prices and have offices located in Mt. Pleasant, N. Charleston, Goose Creek and Summerville.
