Buying a house. It’s easy, right? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
The fact of the matter is that it’s NOT easy, so before you decide to take on buying a new house all by your lonesome, there are probably some things you should think about.
Imagine, if you will, the following scene: you’re driving through a neighborhood you’re fond of. It’s close to your friends, restaurants you like, and, well, you just like the cut of its jib. You notice, much to your delight, that there’s a house for sale. You see the phone number of the home’s listing agent on the yard sign and you …
- Call the agent immediately!
- Look at your phone and get distracted by your Facebook feed.
- Remember that, just the night before, you’d gotten an email from a reputable REALTOR in town—someone just like Urban Provision—and decide to give them a call.
Though we all know the REAL answer is (2), those of you who answered (3) get a gold star. Why? Because buying a home is one of the single, most important things you’ll ever do and it’s something you should never, EVER do without proper representation.
DID YOU KNOW? Listing agents work for the sellers of a home, not for you. That’s right. Even if you call them up, tell them you want to buy the house, and they help you fill out the paperwork, the listing agent works for the seller and, while they can’t tell you any of the terms to which the sellers will agree, they sure as heck can tell the sellers the terms you’d be willing to accept. They can tell them how high you’re willing to go on price, what kind of financing you’re looking at … anything you tell them, really.
But! It doesn’t have to be that way.
If you have a buyer’s agent, it ISN’T that way. And the best part is, hiring a buyer’s agent doesn’t cost you a thing. Let me repeat that: it costs nothing. It’s free. Commissions, generally, are paid by the sellers of a home, so you, the buyer, get someone working—and working hard—for you, acting as your advocate, and getting you the most bang for your buck … without having to spend any bucks.
Pretty cool, right?
When you work with a buyer’s agent, they’ll be working exclusively for you. They’ll know the sorts of things you’re looking for in a home, when you find the right one, they’ll help you negotiate the best terms, they’ll be your advocate, and provide you with the peace of mind you want and need.
When you’re choosing a buyer’s agent, there are some things to consider.
- Do you like them? Do they make you feel comfortable? You’re gonna be spending lots of time with your agent, so you want it to be someone you enjoy spending time with.
- Do you feel like they’re working for you, or do you feel like they’re adversarial? HINT: you want “working for you” here.
- Are they experienced? Not that new agents aren’t experienced, but are they backed up by someone who’s been in the business for a while? Working with someone who knows the ropes is smart.
- Will this agent give me the time and attention I need? The answer to this question had better be “YES,” because you deserve nothing less than that, and a whole lot more.
Urban Provision has a team of experienced buyer’s agents who know the ins and outs of Texas’ neighborhoods like the backs of their hands. They know Texas’ real estate laws, what the local property values are, and are the best advocates you could shake a stick at. Besides … we’re fun!
If you’re ready to buy a house, or even if you’re just thinking about it, give us a call or stop on by (as they say, there’s no time like the present). We can have a taco or two, talk about what you’re looking for, and get you on the path to homeownership faster than a prairie fire with a tail wind.