Taking the steps to buy a home can be a daunting task. The first thing on your mind will probably be excitement or in some cases fear of the unknown. You obviously want the best deal you can, but also want to have the chance of finding the home of your dreams.

One thing that makes it hard on many buyers is the fact that they are unrepresented. At least 75% of sellers have some sort of real estate professional (or Realty Team) representing them. This leaves the average buyer at a disadvantage. It is also the main reason you should consider a buyer’s agent.

Hiring the right real estate professional will take the stress out of buying your dream home. There are many steps a qualified professional will take you through. The following page will outline these steps. Whether you wish to contact one of my team or not is up to you. However, I feel it is my responsibility to see that you have all the facts you need to make a decision before you have any type of representation.

The first step is finding a real estate professional that understands your needs. The right professional should have a good understanding of what you hope for in a new home. You need to have a detailed discussion about your wants and needs to determine what criteria are needed in your new home. A true real estate professional will want to understand you and your family. He or she will treat you all as individuals rather than a number or see you merely as a price tag. The right professional will spend all the time possible in order to understand just what you need and help you to get it.

Common things a buyer’s agent will discuss with you:

• The entire home buying process
• How the buyer’s agent will see that your needs are met and protected through the entire process
• How to save money on loans
• Financing alternatives in Real Estate
• Information on the area you wish to move to ( Maricopa County for example) including the school districts

Once you have spoken in depth, your buyer’s agent should be able to come up with a list of every area home that meets your criteria. You should make sure that the agent will offer you copies of each listing to review before you schedule a viewing. If they have not offered this service, it will be in your best interest to ask for this.

Once you have decided on the homes you want to view, it is time to make appointments. This is another service that your buyer’s agent will provide for you. You view the homes together and your agent should advise you on the proper questions to ask the seller. By asking the proper questions you can learn the strengths and weaknesses to each home and find the best home for you and your family.

Once you find a home that suits your needs and you are ready to make an offer your buyer’s agent should research the following:

• How long the house has been on the market
• How much the seller bought the home for and when
• How many inspections have been preformed in the last year
• How much the present market value of the home is
• What the Complete Comparable Market Analysis says
• Obtain a copy of the Seller’s Disclosure Statement (this shows defects in the home that the seller is aware of)

Your buyer’s agent should be a firm negotiator that seeks to get you the best price possible. They should be willing to negotiate to get you not only the best price but the best terms put in your contract, as well.

The best buyer’s agent will not only do these things for you but they will also teach you how to do them for yourself. Some common things we show our clients:

• The secrets to negotiating
• The best clauses to include in your offer
• How to protect yourself in your contracts
• Use of the proper timing
• Everything you need to know before signing

Though you may be reading this and thinking it is a complicated process, with the right buyer’s agent it is literally a piece of cake. Having a skilled negotiator on your side will not only save you time and aggravation, but they will also save you thousands of dollars as well!

When the time comes for you to complete the final steps of the home buying process you will want a buyer’s agent that helps you make sure your home is going to be in perfect condition when you take possession. This includes someone that will set up all the required inspections. The right professional will ensure you have the following inspections:

• Building Inspections
• Pest Inspections
• Survey
• Appraisals
• Others if needed

These inspections are all needed to ensure you are getting what you are paying for. Unfortunately in most cases negotiation does not end with the signing of the contract. If there is a problem with your inspections you will need to re-open negotiations in order to find a fair ground and see that either the price is dropped or the problems are fixed.

Other services our team provides with our buying clients:

• Follow up with the inspection companies
• Accompany you on your final walk through inspection
• Make sure your repairs have been handled and everything in your home is in working order as according to contract
• Review the figures on your closing statement

You deserve the best! This means that you should have a buyer’s agent that will guarantee your satisfaction! I cannot speak for all buyers’ agents, but the Hakes Team is dedicated to the dreams of the families in our area. We want to help make your dreams come true.

Some agent’s seek to make money and that is what keeps them in business. We have served home buyers for nearly 15 years. Our main goal is to build lasting relationships with all of our clients, and provide the best services possible to ensure home buyers make the best decisions for their family and themselves. Today we are doing just that, one client at a time.