Top 3 Tips for Home Buying Success
How to buy a home in today's market?
What are the critical steps for success? HGTV makes it look so easy! Just view 3 homes, pick one and you're done - right?
What they don't show are the many moving pieces, deadlines and deliverables that go on during contract to close. Manufactured home sales have a similar process, just slightly different documentation.
A buyers consult with your potential realtor is critical for your success. Your agent should go over what their services are, ask detailed questions about your financial and lifestyle goals and clarify their fee and how they would be paid.
Since the NAR Lawsuit settlement went into effect in August 2024, no longer are buyer agents paid by the seller. Essentially commissions were 'de-coupled' and both buyer and seller are responsible to pay for their own representation.
Top 3 Steps for Home Buying Success
Buying a home can feel both exciting and stressful - at the same time! Outlined below are 3 steps for your success;
- Secure your team - who you work with will have a dramatic impact on your results. Interviewing and selecting the right realtor and lender can make or break your negotiation success. Especially in the manufactured home market, where chattel loans require a 'dry settlement' - you may find complications at the end of your transaction that you did not anticipate.
- Market research - know the market statistics and trends in order to feel confident with your numbers, whether making an offer that might have to compete. What are the typical days on market? How are sales tracking in your area - sold vs asking?
- Prepare to negotiate - when we meet, we'll go over the multiple negotiation points in a transaction. Everyone's style of negotiating is a little bit different. It'll be important to be aware of your own style, and we'll sort out how the other parties negotiate as we navigate through the process. I'll put my Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) training to work for you!
My first-time home buying mistake
While I thought I was knowledgable when we bought our first home in 1996 (before Zillow and HGTV), I did NOT understand the role of realtors. My market data was good and we were saved by escalating values due to the dot.com bubble in 2000 - not by our wisdom!
When we meet, we'll go over your unique home buying goals and map out a plan for success!
Book a time on my calendar or contact me for more info. I'm here to help!
