Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Real estate agents are a crucial part of real estate. They help buyers identify their dream properties and guide them through the buying process, making it easy for them. A good realtor is well-informed about current market trends, knows the worth of a property and its neighborhood, and is proficient in handling every legal process and documentation formalities associated with real estate investments. They do everything in their capacity to ensure a hassle-free buying experience for the buyer.
But most buyers are not aware that they do terrible things that can upset the realtor working with them. Agents understand that buying a property is the biggest investment most of us make in our lifetime. Therefore, realtors are under a lot of pressure to get everything right. But if home buyers act in a way that puts too much pressure on our agents, the home buying journey becomes a mess.
To ensure that you don't end up stressing out your agent, here is a list of the things to avoid when working with a realtor –
Don't hire a realtor unless you are clear about what you need and want in your new home. When you decide on purchasing a property, make a checklist of your needs and wants. Then prioritize each one of them so that you can narrow down your search. Remember that there will be a big difference between a place you need and the kind you want.
Chalk down all the particulars such as – the number of rooms, proximity to places, amenities, or whatever is on top of your checklist. When you know exactly what you and your family require, the home purchase becomes a pleasant journey. When there is no room for confusion, you will not waste time or cause your agent to become frustrated.
In real estate, agents invest their time, energy, and money to connect buyers to their ideal properties. Therefore, a buyer who has worked with a particular agent for weeks and months disappears all of a sudden, it frustrates and discourages an agent. You need to finish the purchase with the same agent you started the journey with. Unless you have had unpleasant experiences or a lack of communication between you and the agent, the decent thing to do is work with the same agent. If it's not possible for you, at least show the courtesy to inform them that you won't need their services anymore.
Buyers can avoid this situation in the first place by interviewing a few realtors and taking the time to know them individually before going out on house hunts. When you are interviewing them, ask all the necessary questions and see if you feel a connection with them. By doing so, buyers can work with the same agent till the end.
We have talked about making a checklist of the things you need and want. However, some buyers end up making an extremely extensive checklist down to the minutest details. You can ask for comfort, safety, and convenience, but being particular about small things such as the interiors, furniture, landscapes, etc., is not a sensible thing to do. It is impossible to find a place that checks everything on your list.
Be reasonable so that your agent can find a place that aligns with your budget. Overlook the imperfections that you can fix with minor repairs and renovations. A perfect property with luxurious amenities will cost a lot of money. Whereas if your realtor shows you a place that has room for improvement, you can renovate and decorate it to match your taste.
Thanks to the internet, you can research everything from the comfort of your home. But it doesn't give the buyer an upper hand over someone who makes a living by assisting people to buy and sell properties. Agents have the experience and knowledge about properties, homes, and the entire process. If you decide to enter into a contract with a realtor, you need to trust their expertise.
Sometimes your emotions can come in the way of choosing a property, so it makes sense to take the advice of an experienced agent. They know the market and the worth of a property and therefore can offer you an unbiased opinion.
Buying a property needs a lot of money. So if an agent asks you to show the proof of your financing options, don't get offended. Buyers are wasting their and the agent's time looking at homes when they don't have a pre-approval for a loan or a mortgage. Most buyers make the mistake of waiting until they find an ideal property to get a pre-approval.
On the other hand, property sellers are not keen on dealing with buyers who don't have a pre-approval for a loan. This is because after making a bid, sometimes the buyer might not be able to secure the desired loan amount. So it puts the agent in a fix, and they won't be able to show you properties when you don't have a pre-approval. Agents want to increase the chances of the buyer's r offer getting accepted, so they insist on securing a pre-approval.
Some buyers think they can have it all; a great place for a great deal. But in reality, it never happens! Agents will do their best to get their buyers the best deals. But if they are eyeing a remarkable property that offers it all, there will be zero room for negotiations. It is unfair to ask your agent to negotiate further to reduce the asking rate. Buyers who have the financial back-up often pass out on great homes due to the absence of a discount only to invest in an inferior property; later on, they blame the agent.
When it comes to finding a place to live, we need to have patience and take slow and steady steps. Often buyers who rush their agents cause stress and find themselves owning an unsuitable property. When it comes to finding a home, there are many factors to consider, and it takes time. Realtors often wish that buyers give them space and time to find the best deals for them.
When buyers hire the services of realtors, it doesn't mean that they own them. They will spend their working hours trying to find you a property, arrange open houses, and take care of all other aspects of a property purchase. But that doesn't mean that buyers have the right to contact them after office hours or keep following up with them constantly. A real estate agent works with multiple clients, so they can't be at your disposal all the time. If you want to meet them, fix a time that suits both the parties instead of showing up unannounced.
Money is an integral part of property purchase. Buyers who plan to purchase a property through mortgage or loans should take care to follow the guidelines. Buyers who make drastic career changes when their loan is still under process increase the risk of the loan getting denied. This causes the agent's months of hard work to go down the drain. They end up losing their time and money for nothing!
Similarly, some buyers make big purchases before closing in on the house deal. This action also jeopardizes the buyers' chances of securing the loan money. Realtors have often seen buyers make big purchases, change jobs, open new credit lines, and take up more liabilities once they have been pre-approved. All these actions bring down the credit score and affect the credit report. A financier will offer loans to only those who have a stable income source, a consistent credit report, and sufficient savings in their account. If buyers want their agents to help them get through the buying process successfully, they need to steer clear of temptations and follow their agents' financial advice.
There are potential roadblocks and pitfalls buyers can face when buying a property. You need to trust and follow the advice of your realtor to avoid or overcome mishaps. Nobody has the best expertise in finding an ideal property, like a realtor. Real estate agents are professionals and licensed to help buyers make a successful property investment. If you are thinking about investing in a property, get the best agent in town to help you.
