Why Should You Work With an Agent?

Do you really want a Realtor? You may not think so at first, but today I’ve got a few key points that might change your mind.

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Do you even want a Realtor?

The reality is that if you’re looking to buy a property, you have two options: you can try to take care of everything on your own and interact with the listing agent without representation, or you can do some research and choose a buyer’s agent who’s right for you.

Either way, you’re going to be working with a Realtor. Why not work with one whose job is to represent you? 99% of homes that sell are sold through Realtors, and there’s a reason for that.

Although, what I’ve learned throughout my years of experience is that if buyers could work without agents, they probably would. Most consumers don’t really want to deal with it. Some may not think that there’s such a thing as a good Realtor.

Today, I want to change your mind and let you know that there are so many good Realtors out there. Buying a home is a big decision with a lot of emotional and financial commitments involved. Trying to undergo the process alone simply isn’t the best route to take. After all, the job of an agent is to make things easier for you.

When choosing a Realtor, remember that you should always work with someone who can help navigate you through the process. The right Realtor will have a great relationship with lenders, as well.

If you’re looking to buy a home, why not work with someone who has your best interests in mind instead of defaulting to the listing agent? A buyer’s agent will help you put together a strategy and walk you through the whole transaction. Every step should be made simple and clear with the help of a quality professional.

The alternative is spending a lot of time and effort calling around to different agents, not making any decisions, and ultimately making things a lot more complicated. If you do that, you’ll have 20 different agents all calling and asking if you’re ready to work with them. Why put yourself through the trouble?

If you’re just calling different agents throughout the process without committing to a single Realtor, you don’t have the benefit of working with someone who knows and understands you and your needs. Bouncing from agent to agent means never having the opinion of someone who has seen every step of your transaction.

Also, when you work with the listing agent you need to realize that they were hired by the seller to get the most money for the property possible. That being the case, they aren’t looking out for your needs.

Buying a home is a team effort.

A lot has changed in the market and it’s always important to have an advocate on your side who you know and trust. Buying a home is a team effort. Without a Realtor the process will be overwhelming and inefficient.

Before choosing a Realtor, meet with a few professionals to determine who would be the best for you.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

How Can You Win in a Multiple Offer Situation in Orange County?

Buying a home? Click here to perform a full home search
Selling a home? Click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation

If you've been paying attention the market here in Orange County, you know that inventory is quite low right now; there just aren't very many homes that are show-ready and priced to sell at the moment. These types of homes have a lot of demand for them - they're the types of properties everybody wants.

When there aren't many desirable homes available, but there are still buyers looking to purchase, multiple offer situations become common. That's exactly what we're seeing now. So, the question becomes, what can you do to make your offer stand out from the rest? There are certain things in the offers that homeowners are going to look for that you need to do:

• Prepare an offer that's clean and straightforward. Most homeowners want to know how much they'll sell their home for, how fast the home will close, how strong of a buyer you are, and how motivated you are to buy their home. When crafting an offer, don't put a lot of credits in there or extend timeframes - make it clean, straight, and to the point!
• Include a pre-approval letter. The homeowner doesn't know who you are; after all, they're just staring at a pile of paper. A pre-approval will give them the assurance that you have the ability to qualify for a loan and buy their property.
• Show proof of funds. Because the homeowners have no idea who you are, they will want to make sure you have the down payment necessary to close the deal. Include a bank statement showing the homeowner how much money you have in the bank ready to go.

These three things are essential if you want your offer to be accepted. However, we've found the a couple other things to be incredibly helpful to buyers who are trying to get their offers accepted. Here are two optional, but effective, things you can do:

• Write a personal letter. Why do you want the house? What do you like about the area so much? What makes this particular house so special to you? Many homeowners have lived in properties for 10-20 years, so there's a lot of sentimental value in that home. Many homeowners like to know that they're selling to someone who will take care of the home just like they did. A letter will create that emotional connection.
• Have your agent write a letter to the other agent. Sure, the homeowner has the final say in which offer is going to be accepted, but a lot of times a great agent will want to work with another great agent. When the buyer's agent and a seller's agent cooperate, the transaction goes a lot smoother. By having your agent write a letter about their past success and general ability to get deals closed, you will make your offer that much more enticing.

In a competitive marketplace like Orange County, we recommend doing all of these things when making an offer on a home. If you want to avoid missing out on that dream home, or if you have any questions about the process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always available to help you make the most of market conditions!