Although most home buyers have figured out that working with a Buyer's Agent is to their advantage, some are not quite sure exactly how seeing homes with an agent benefits them until they visit a few homes with their agent; then the light bulb clicks on.
Your agent sees many more homes than you do so is able to notice things about each house that may escape your attention. Things like drainage, attempts to cover up defects, and quality of workmanship, for example. Many home buyers are not aware of the difference between a regular water heater and a tankless water heater; your agent can explain the value to you.
The buyer sees a well-furnished, well-decorated, charming home. The agent sees an air conditioner older than Moses, cracks in the foundation, gutters that need to be cleaned and a roof nearing the end of its' lifespan.
Home buyers often lack the expertise to imagine future changes to a house. Your agent will also be able to help you envision what can be done to improve the home in the future and how much that work might cost. For instance, you may want to add a screened in porch or a swimming pool; your agent can help you figure out if the house you are considering would be able to accommodate this plan.
The buyer sees a garden shed, dog run and children's swing set all in the same space. The agent helps the buyer realize that all those objects cannot exist in the same space.
Sometimes, the home buyer is focused on the appearance of the home's decor and forgets to consider the condition of the house. Other times, the home buyer is too focused on unimportant details and needs the agent to help them evaluate the whole house in comparison to their other possible choices. The agent brings balance and perspective to your home finding experience.
The buyer is enamored with the bay window and window seat in the family room. The agent points out that the window is 50 years old while the window in the other house is the newer, energy efficient kind and the view is presently obscured by the window treatments which could be easily changed.
Most home buyers today understand the value of having an agent to negotiate and conduct the transaction for them but are unaware of the value of seeing a house through the agent's eyes. How often do I hear the words "Wow, I never thought about that! I'm so glad you're here with me!" ... The Second Showing ...
A good agent will help you evaluate each house so that you make sound decisions based on facts rather than fluff.
Originally published by Maria Morton on the Active Rain real estate website. http://activerain.com/blogsview/2447148/seeing-a-house-through-the-agent-s-eyes
Friday, August 12, 2011
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