Market Leader recently surveyed 400 real estate agents and asked for their most important tips to share with homebuyers. Here are 12 of the most important tips that agents recommend all buyers should follow, including “The 6 Most Essential Homebuyer Tips” below in an infographic. Let me know if you have any questions about any of these tips below.
1. Get a Home Inspection
91.4 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Get a home inspection to evaluate the safety and overall condition of your new home, even if it appears flawless.
2. Get Pre-approved for a Loan
89.0 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Before you start house hunting, get pre-approved for a mortgage loan.
3. Communicate Through Your Agent
89.0 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: When you want to ask or tell the seller something, always go through your real estate agent.
4. Put the Deal Into Writing
87.5 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Get the seller to put every component of the deal and any verbal agreement into writing.
5. Include Contingencies With Offer
83.0 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Include important contingencies, such as financing and property inspections, with your offer.
6. Develop a Wish List
82.4 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Come up with a realistic wish list. Find out what you can afford in terms of house size, neighborhood and amenities.
7. Know Your Local Market
75.6 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Know as much about the local market as you can. Use your agent’s CMA to learn about the selling price of comparable homes and the strength of the local real estate market.
8. Prioritize!
68.5 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Decide what’s most important to you before the negotiation, so you know what parts of your offer you’re most comfortable giving up.
9. Keep Other Houses in Mind
43.9 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: When you begin negotiating on a specific property, know of other houses you’d be interested in buying. You don’t want to be so desperate to buy a certain house that you give in to whatever the seller wants.
10. Be Smart With Your Contingencies
40.6 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Avoid including unnecessary contingencies in your offer. Doing so will make it less attractive.
11. Keep Negotiations Short
39.8 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Avoid long, drawn-out negotiations, which can negatively affect the chances of your offer being accepted.
12. Scope out Neighborhoods, Neighbors
31.9 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Talk to neighbors to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to live in the neighborhoods of homes you are interested in. While doing so, gauge if you would like to live next to these people for the foreseeable future.
13. Connect With the Sellers
24.9 percent of agents say this is a very important tip.
The tip: Establish a connection with the sellers. You may be able to get a better deal if the sellers see you as a person, not just an opportunity. Writing a personal letter to the seller to include along with your offer is a good idea in this market.
