Use a Buyer's Agent

Major Georgia contract changes for 2008! Did you know that it is now the buyers responsibility to provide a termite letter? Did you know that there is now a limited amount of time to get approved for your loan?

It's now even more important that you choose an experienced agent who is there for you. Your agent should be actively finding you potential homes, keeping you informed of the entire process, negotiating furiously on your behalf, and answering all of your questions with competence and speed.

First, find an agent who represents you and not the seller. This is beneficial during the negotiation process. If you are working with a buyer's agent, he or she is required not to tell the seller of your top choice. In addition, he or she is also focused on getting you the lowest asking price.

Also, when you use a buyer's agent, you will see more properties. Not only are they plugged into their Multiple Listing Service, but they are also talking to sellers that are thinking about selling their homes!

You will be asked to sign an Exclusive Buyers Agency Agreement, I like to call this a "Loyalty Agreement". This commits the buyer and agent for a specified amount of time. The buyer is agreeing to work solely through the agent, and therefore the agent will work hard for the buyer as the agent knows that their time and effort will pay off. The behind the scenes work that an agent does is very time consuming, with many hours of time on the computer searching for homes as well as on the phone talking with the listing agents and homeowners scheduling appointments, then of course the time on the road with the buyer showing homes, writing and negotiating contracts, follow up with lenders, home inspectors, etc. With all of this time invested, a qualified agent will need a commitment from a prospective buyer. One that pays off for all parties. As a buyer of property, you only want to work with an agent who has YOUR best interests and purchase as their primary goal. Call me today!

Area Links

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Fernbank Science Center
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Georgia Census

Importance of Inspection

As a buyer, you are entitled to know exactly what you are getting. Don't take for granted what you see and what the seller or the listing agent tells you. A professional home inspection is something you MUST do, whether you are buying an existing home or a new one. An inspection is an opportunity to have an expert look closely at the property you are considering purchasing and getting both an oral and written opinion as to its condition. Beforehand, make sure the report will be done by a professional organization, such as a local trade organization or a national trade organization such as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspection). Not only should you never skip an inspection, but also you should go along with the inspector during inspection. This gives you a chance to ask questions about the property and get answers that are not biased. In addition, the oral comments are typically more revealing and detailed than what you will find on the written report. Once the inspection is complete, review the inspection report carefully. You have to demand an inspection when you present your offer. Most real estate contracts automatically provide an inspection contingency, however, it is always good to read the fine print concerning this topic.

Making a Good First Impression

If you want buyers to be interested in your home, you need to show it in its best light. A good first impression can influence a buyer into making an offer; it influences a buyer emotionally and visually. In addition, what the buyer first sees is what they think of when they consider the asking price. A bad first impression can dissuade a potential buyer. Don't show your property until it's all fixed up. You do not want to give buyers the chance to use the negative first impression they have as means of negotiation. Ask around for the opinions others have of your home. Real estate agents who see houses everyday can give solid advice on what needs to be done. Consider what contractors or landscape designers have to say. What you need are objective opinions, and it's sometimes hard to separate the personal and emotional ties you have for the home from the property itself. Typically, there are some general fix ups that need to be done both outside and on the inside. As a seller, you should consider the following:

*Landscaping - Has the front yard been maintained? Are areas of the house visible to the street in good condition?
*Cleaning or Redoing the driveway - Is your driveway cluttered with toys, tools, trash etc.?
*Painting - Do both,the exterior and the interior look like they have been well taken care of?
*Carpeting - Does the carpet have stains? Or does the carpet look old and dirty?
*Smell - how does your home smell, correct odors caused by pets, smoking, etc. (Stop smoking in the home if you are planning to sell!)
*Cluttered- Are your closets cluttered, do your rooms have too much furniture making the rooms look small, is the garage in overload?
*Good repair - do your faucets leak, toilet run, lights not turn on, front door lock not work properly, doors squeak?

Give your home a good once over with fresh eyes. Ask yourself... would I want to buy this home today for the price I am asking?