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Opportunity of a Lifetime for First-Time Buyers!!!
Aspiring home owners may now take advantage of the opportunity of a lifetime! Newly enacted legislation providing a tax credit of as much as $7,500 for first-time home buyers.
But like so many of the good things in life, time is of the essence for buyers who want to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity. Only homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009 are eligible. Contact us for additional information!
Acquiring Real Estate is a complex
process and that's why the Real Estate
Industry has shifted from exclusive seller representation
and buyers find themselves with the opportunity to also be represented by a Real Estate Professional in their transaction. More and more buyers find this type of
representation to provide them competitive advantage
in finding and negotiating terms for their dream
home.
A Buyer's Agent represents the individual(s)
who are in the purchasing side of the real estate
transaction and has fiduciary duties, responsibilities
and loyalties to the real estate buyer. When a
buyer has signed a buyer representation agreement
with an agent, the agent represents the buyer's
best interests in the transaction process. In
a transaction, the seller's agent and seller enter
into an exclusive representation agreement and
at that time they negotiate the commission. In
Texas, when the seller's agent advertises a property,
they also disclose the portion of the commission
that they will share with the buyer's agent. For
that reason, buyers do not have to pay a buyer's
agent for their services: the listing agency does.
Very few selling agents do not share their commission
and, in those cases, other arrangements need to
be reached prior to signing a buyer representation
agreement or viewing those specific properties.
Using a Realtor ® that works and a buyer's
agent offers many benefits to you as a buyer.
Among others, the buyer representative will assist
you as follows:
- Evaluates your specific needs and wants and
locates properties meeting your standards.
- Assists you determine the amount that you
can afford
- Shows or previews properties on your behalf
to ensure that your criterion is met.
- Researches the market for comparable sold
properties and to determine if the asking price
conforms with the neighborhood.
- Researches selected properties to identify
any issues, if any and to assist you make an
informed decision prior to "writing an
offer" on the property.
- Advises you on structuring an appropriate
offer and presents the offer to the seller's
agent/seller on your behalf and assist you negotiate
with your bests interests in mind at all times.
- Reviews and explains legal documents and assists
you secure appropriate financing.
- Provides referrals to service providers if
needed
You can rest assured during your transaction,
knowing that you are represented by a knowledgeable
real estate professional throughout your transaction.
Can't I buy the house cheaper if I call the
agent whose
name is on the sign?
NO! The listing agent owes their loyalty to the
seller and will be looking out for
the seller's best interest only so you will be
on your own. All they will do is write up the
offer to purchase at the amount you specify. Be
very careful
of what you say! The listing agent, by law, must
tell the seller if you indicate you
are willing to pay more than what you offered
for the house.
Remember - they work for the seller, not the buyer.
What About New Homes and New Subdivisions?
Often there is a site salesperson at model homes
or subdivisions who represents
the builder. Sometimes, there might be a real
estate office at the subdivision that handles
a lot of the builders in that subdivision. In
all of
these situations a Buyer should have their own
representation with an agent who is not representing
the builder, subdivision, or developer.
We can represent the Buyer with purchase of a
new home in an existing or new subdivision. Most
builders will gladly pay a real estate commission
to a Realtor who brings a buyer for one of their
homes.
If you take a drive around the county and check
out the new construction, don't sign in or register
at any of the houses or with any of the sales
people
if you're planning to use a Buyer Representative
for your actual purchase.
Tell them that you are working with a Realtor
and will return with that Realtor if you are interested
in that subdivision.
Since it doesn't cost you any more, doesn't
it make sense to have an agent represent you?
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