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Technology has definitely changed the way we live and
work. And it's no different for real estate. Twenty years ago, only
real estate professionals
had access to home listings. Today, there are multiple resources at
consumers' disposal. The Internet has become a popular tool for homebuyers
to peruse the listings in any city or state. According to the 2003
National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers,
71 percent of homebuyers used the Internet in their search for a home
during the first quarter of 2003.
Besides home searches, consumers can find information about communities,
schools, mortgage options, and even property appraisals. With this
wealth of information, should you still have a real estate professional
represent you during your homebuying process? Absolutely.
Given the sizeable monetary outlay—possibly the single largest financial
transaction in a person’s lifetime—it seems reasonable, even smart,
to call in a specialist.
While in the past, consumers may have seen real estate professionals
as simply a person who drives you around from property to property,
our role is definitely greater than that. That's only the tip of the
iceberg.
Ask yourself, who better to know the exact whereabouts
of that 50-mile view, 100-foot waterfall, charming pied-ŕ-terre or
new in-town condominium project? A sales professional can be a great
resource, especially to
homebuyers relocating from other communities. He or she knows the local
area including home values, taxes, utility costs, and school data,
and may even be knowledgeable about resources pertaining to your special
interests or needs. For instance, should you require help relocating
an aging parent with you, your real estate professional may be able
to direct you to local services or organizations for the elderly.
A sales professional can familiarize you with the processes involved
in buying a home, alert you to potential risks, help you determine
how much house you can afford, explain alternative financing strategies,
as well as provide tremendous moral support.
Another benefit is having a strong advocate during the negotiating
process. A sales professional can help you objectively evaluate an
offer then work to negotiate a favorable contract. During the process,
he or she will review the contract and obligations before you sign,
explain how contingencies and release clauses work, and so on.
And something easy to overlook is our familiarity with
the complexity and risks inherent in the process. In the years I
have been practicing
I have been continually amazed at how quickly a seemingly simple transaction
can grow legally complex and risky. For example there may not be a
legal right-of-way to the property, or just as bad, others may have
an easement over the land you’re contemplating acquiring. When such
questions arise, we will quickly advise you to consult an attorney
and other licensed professionals whose services you may require, such
as home inspectors, engineers, surveyors and lenders.
As your single point of contact, a sales professional can manage the
entire transaction including coordinating inspections, keeping in touch
with the other real estate professionals, managing the documentation
for the loan process, monitoring deadlines associated with contingencies,
providing applicable paperwork, estimating closing costs, and helping
prepare for a smooth and uneventful closing.
If you’re about to begin the process of buying or selling a home,
consider involving a real estate professional. When the stakes are
high, it’s comforting to have a specialist by your side.
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a service mark of The Prudential Insurance Company of America. 
Equal
Housing Opportunity. Equal Opportunity Employer
