Buying a house? What is the role of your real estate agent?

So, you've decided to buy a home! 

Congratulations!  Whether you're looking to buy now, or gearing up to buy in the future, there are some things you should know about how your real estate agent can help you in the process. 

Managing the expectations in your client-agent relationship are critical to a great working relationship and crucial to the success of your homebuying experience.

Yes, of course, they will let you into homes, and help you write a contract, but what else can they do, and what should you expect? Here are just a few things:

• Full needs and wants assessment. You need to build a rapport with your agent so that they can help you set realistic goals, research the market with your goals in mind, and help you narrow your focus to homes, neighborhoods, amenities that fit your lifestyle.  It's when a homebuyer feels that their agent isn't listening, or disregarding their desires, that things start to go wrong. Good communication is KEY.
• Getting you pre-approved.  It is critical you get yourself pre-approved for a home loan before you start looking in earnest. You want to have realistic goals. There is nothing worse than walking into the "right house" and not having that pre-approval, especially in this market of multiple offers - you need to walk in ready.  Or, that you find later that the homes you were looking at just simply area outside of your financial reach.  Your agent can give you some trusted lender referrals and help you walk through the process of matching your financial profile to your needs/wants assessment.
• Market Knowledge. It is critical to enlist the help of an agent that really knows the areas in which you are looking. Best is someone who has lived in the community and knows about the things important to you. If schools are important, do they (or have they) also had children in the local schools? Do they know which neighborhoods are closest to the parks, schools, business centers, transportation, shopping that you desire most? There are nuances of every community, stay "in the know" with a locally experienced agent.
• Pricing Analysis.  Hand in hand with market knowledge, is knowing the market pricing trends. Your agent can give you a list of other nearby comparable listings, solds and area trends to help you feel comfortable with the price you are offering on the house of your choice.  Along with that is knowing how a particular home may fair in an appraisal should there be multiple offers and an offer over list price be presented. An agent should continually educate you on the market so you can make the best decisions.
• Goes at your pace.  Every client is different, and every agent is different. Finding someone who works like you is important. If you want an agent to go through the full contract with you early in the process, so you know what to expect later, that should be happily accommodated.  How often do you want communication from your agent? Will they notify you as soon as something hits the market that might meet your needs? Are they available at times that work for you? Do you feel you're being pushed or hurried? Or, are they hard to reach?

A client-agent relationship needs to "fit." From communication styles, to the ability to be proactive and knowledgeable, you should find the agent that fits your expectations and don't be afraid to ask for what you need.  Many agents are perfectly adaptable to an individual client's needs, we just need to know what your expectations are.  And, that works both ways, as an agent will also want to understand your expectations so they too can determine whether it is a good fit. 

Don't be afraid to interview prospective agents. Ask for references. Read testimonials. This is a very crucial relationship.  Purchasing a home is quite often the biggest financial investment you will ever make. Be sure you trust your agent, can communicate with your agent, and that they have the level of market knowledge and experience to work hard for you.

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Catherine Myers is a Real Estate Broker with Windermere Bay Area Properties. DRE license number 01337828. Catherine has resided in the Concord and Clayton areas since 1995.

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You can reach Catherine at her Contra Costa Real Estate | Diablo Valley Homes website, or call 925-683-2125.