Ready, Set..Home! A Step-By-Step Guide to Home Buying and Selling
Ready, Set..Home! A Step-By-Step Guide to Home Buying and Selling
Welcome to my step-by-step guide to home buying and selling. Congratulations on your decision to enter the real estate market! Buying or selling a home is an exciting experience but for first time buyers or sellers it can also feel a little overwhelming or confusing so I believe that “knowledge is power” and learning more about the real estate process will help you gain confidence and eliminate uncertainty so you can rest assured you are making the right choices and are on the path to prosperity.
I have broken down the real estate process to a mini blog series that will cover the most vital steps to owning or selling your home. Read on as I demystify the role of the Realtor and come back for more next week!
Potential buyers: Did you know you can use this site to find your future dream home? With the Home Search feature on my home page you can save your favorite listings, search criteria, and more! Simply login with Facebook, Google+, or register with your name and email address. It only takes 2 seconds and there are NO passwords to remember!
Potential sellers: Do you know how important it is to fairly and accurately price your home? It isn’t easy, especially due to the emotional attachment but you can get a completely objective, unbiased estimate by requesting a free Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) here.
Understanding the Role of the Realtor Part I
Knowing what to expect throughout the real estate process can make the experience a little less daunting to the first time buyer or seller but no matter how much one learns it’s easy to get lost in the maze of forms, lending/financing, home inspections, pricing, negotiating, social media marketing, open houses, disclosures, and the list goes on. Whether you’re an aspiring first-time homeowner or a repeat buyer, purchasing a home is both a financial and emotional decision that requires the knowledge, experience, and guidance of a professional.
Surprisingly, one of the most widely misunderstood aspects of the real estate process is the role of the Realtor. A Realtor can take one of three stances:
- Listing Agent
- Buyer’s Agent
- Cooperating Agent
Listing Agent: Representing the Seller
A Realtor working for the seller to list their property is called the Listing Agent. Listing means the Realtor will add the property on the Multiple List Service (MLS), allowing qualified buyers access to a vast online database of available homes. The Listing Agent will also perform a market analysis to set the most appropriate price for the property. The agent can also advise the owners on how to make the property as appealing as possible to potential buyers. Once the buyers have been found the Listing Agent will help the seller prepare a contract offer and negotiate a sale.
Next: Understanding the Role of the Realtor Part II: The Buyer’s Agent
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