- Your Realtor® can help you determine your buying power — that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a Realtor® basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you.
- Your Realtor® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.
- Your Realtor® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are Realtors® have access to a variety of informational resources. Realtors® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools and a host of other details.
- Your Realtor® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment.
- Your Realtor® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your Realtor® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports.
