Steps in the Buying Process
We're glad that more people are becoming curious about this market! It's an exciting and rewarding situation, with interesting old homes in good condition, new luxury developments, plucky downtown condos, and well-planned family residences with stable values and utilitarian appeal. Do you know which area or areas you want to live in? Do you know which neighborhoods you're considering within those areas? If not, check out our top six tips for finding the perfect neighborhood. The neighborhood you choose, not just the home you select, can greatly affect your activities and lifestyle. At Lake & City Homes, we help you locate both the neighborhoods and homes that fit your lifestyle.
The Pre-approval Letter
Once you've talked to a lender, gotten pre-approved or pre-qualified and decided what you can afford, it's time to start searching for the right property. Be sure to register to see listing details, save your searches, save favorite listings and send email from your personal messaging system - all without even leaving the site!
Getting a Buyer's Agent
As you begin to think about buying a home, you're probably acutely aware that this is likely to be your biggest investment ever, and you might be wondering if there's anything you really need to know as you go into this process. This is where your real estate professional comes in. With the help of a trained Realtor and buyer's agent, you can come out on top of a closing that might otherwise have pushed your retirement ahead a decade. And you can do so at no cost whatsoever.
New properties come on the market daily. As your representative, we're in regular contact with sellers and other real estate agents to ensure you're made aware of all the newest listings, whether or not they're made public. Having a Realtor with an ear to the ground can often make the difference when it comes to the best listings. We'll make sure you see only the properties that meet your needs and investment preferences, so that you don't waste time on homes that aren't of interest. As you compare the best deals, we'll provide you with important information about the home, the neighborhood, zoning issues, utilities, and area plans for development. Remember: browsing listings is one way to search out deals, but weighing the investment potential of each property can be much more difficult for those who seldom buy real estate.
The Importance of Buyer Representation
Many real estate transactions include an extensive negotiating process. As your buyer's agent it is our job to represent you, explain what's happening each step of the way throughout the transaction and to obtain the best deal possible for you. We'll also attend property inspections, advise you of any special testing you might want to consider doing, and make sure any and all agreed-upon repair work is carried out and paid for. In sum, we'll handle every piece of paperwork related to the sale. We can also help set up the financing for your investment, and coordinate directly with brokers to provide you with a seamless package of services.
Working with a dedicated agent on your next home purchase will save you time and give you confidence that things are being done in your best interest every step of the way. Be sure to check out the list of buyer services you can expect to receive when working with us, then call us today at (563) BUY-SOLD (563-289-7653) or fill out the form below to get in touch.