Requirements To Buy A Home

So you want to buy a home?

Contacting a licensed agent is always a good first step. Many people think that our job is to show properties. While that is a big part of what we do, there is much more to our role in your home-buying process. We often charge the buyers absolutely nothing for our services.

Consequently, each agent asks prospective buyers for different requirements before offering a representation agreement. We’d love to explain a little about what we do, and then the requirements that your agent is requesting.

Scheduling Properties
Agents routinely invest around an hour of their time prior to showing properties. Agents check availability, organize a logical showing order and they contact the listing agents for each property that you would like to see. Often they must await a response for their requests.

Showing Properties
Agents often invest hours of their time and vehicle costs showing different properties to their clients. They have the expertise, tools and authority to show properties that you might otherwise have a hard time seeing.

Checking Comparable Properties
Before submitting an offer, agents routinely check comparable sales in the area in order to advise you on a reasonable price for your dream home. Agents often arrive at a recommended price after looking through multiple sales, comparing square feet from different sales and reviewing home features.

Submitting an Offer
Once you have selected a house, your agent often uses state-promulgated forms to submit an offer that benefits you. Your agent, except in special circumstances, is your fiduciary and agrees to put your interests above all others. After obtaining your signatures, your agent then submits the contract to the seller, awaits a response then negotiates on your behalf at your pleasure.

Closing
Closing is often a complex process, coordinating buyer, seller, agents, title companies and lenders. Your agent helps to coordinate all of this in as simple a way possible for you. Many elements, like the loan, are beyond the control of the agent, but their experience is often a benefit in complex closing situations.

We are Realtors. We love to work for you. We are happy to collect our commission from the seller. In exchange, your agent asks you only for the following:
_____ A recent pre-approval letter from an acceptable
_____ Proof of income documents, including W2s for the last two years and recent check stubs
_____ Proof of down payment money according to the lender’s pre-approval.
_____ If a cash purchase, proof of funds that you will use to purchase the home.

With these items, your Realtor, is glad to extend a representation contract and aid in your home search.