Step 1 to Buying a Home: Hire a REALTOR®
If you're like most people, you started your search for a home online. Today, more than 90% of homebuyers start and conduct the majority of their home search online. With so much information readily available online, clients sometimes ask us, "Why should we hire a Realtor?" There are many reasons to hire a Realtor, the most important of which is education & experience. Considering home ownership will likely be your single largest investment, hiring a highly experienced advisor to work with you and ensure your best interest is the priority every step of the way is a very smart decision.
Plus, a Realtor can set you up for automatic search via the Northwest MLS (Multiple Listing System). This means that each day (or how often you want to receive the search results) you’ll be emailed a list of all new properties matching your criteria or price reductions which now put a property in your budget. This is a HUGE time saver. And if you’re in a market, like Tacoma, where great properties sell in a matter of days, it can be an enormous advantage to be able to get in and to view a property within a day or two of it going on the market.
So, how do you find and pick a Realtor? Well, hopefully you’ll contact our team at (253) 656-6966 or complete the form below so we can meet in person and see if we would be a good fit together. Remember, not all Realtors are right for all people. You need to find someone who is not only great at his or her job, but someone you like, as you’re going to be spending a lot of time with that person. So get together and have coffee and chat. See if you click. If so, you need to determine if that person has the experience, customer service and understanding of the market that you’re looking for. Start out by noticing how quickly the Realtor responds to your initial phone call or email. If the Realtor doesn’t get back to you within a maximum of 24 hours, that’s a bad sign. This business moves fast and deals can be lost if your Realtor doesn’t respond quickly on your behalf during negotiations.
Second, interview the Realtor by asking them very specific questions. Click here to read a post with our recommended interview questions.
Third, expect to sign a buyer representation agreement. Legally before you disclose confidential information to your Realtor, you should have a signed buyer representation agreement. That helps to insure that your Realtor will keep private information confidential.
Connect with the Pierce County Real Estate Team
- Step 01 - Hire a REALTOR
- Step 02 - Home Buyer's Checklist
- Step 03 - Get Preapproved for a Mortgage
- Step 04 - Prepare for Earnest Money Deposit
- Step 05 - Get Down Payment Ready
- Step 06 - Finding Your Dream Home
- Step 07 - Schedule a Time for Showings
- Step 08 - Make an Offer
- Step 09 - Review Seller's Disclosure
- Step 10 - I Have an Offer Accepted, Now What?
- Step 11 - Schedule the Home Inspection
- Step 12 - What is the Inspection Contingency Period?
- Step 13 - Schedule the Side Sewer Inspection
- Step 14 - Schedule the Septic Inspection
- Step 15 - Tips for Attending the Home Inspection
- Step 16 - Read the Inspection Report
- Step 17 - Review Supplementary Documents
- Step 18 - Don't Spend Extra Money
- Step 19 - Give Notice to Your Landlord
- Step 20 - Schedule the Closing Date on Your Calendar
- Step 21 - The Appraisal
- Step 22 - Hire Movers and Start Packing
- Step 23 - Hook Up Your Utilities
- Step 24 - Set Up Homeowner's Insurance
- Step 25 - Do You Want a Home Warranty?
- Step 26 - Secure Your New Home
- Step 27 - What is Clear to Close?
- Step 28 - Attend the Walk Through
- Step 29 - Wire Your Down Payment
- Step 30 - Attend Closing
- Step 31 - Wrapping Things Up
Featured Searches