How Buyers get the Best Results from their Realtor

Monday, July 9, 2012 at 06:32PM
Brian Donlyuk - Vista Filare Specialist

As an active Realtor in Orange County, California, I occasionally hear a complaint from a prospective home buyers that they called other real estate agents and they did not answer their phone or did not call back. "You are the first agent who answers her phone!" they say. So far, so good. You finally reached the right agent to help you find your home!

Now begins the dance between client and agent. Just as it takes "two to tango", the home buying process works similarly. If the partners pull in different directions, each spends useless energy and both will end up frustrated with each other. Nobody wins a prize in this competition!

How you as a home buyer can make sure the home search and purchase of your dream home has a happy ending:

1. Once you have met an agent  with whom you feel comfortable, stick with that agent. Why re-educate  several Realtors in what you want in a home? A good Realtor will either  simply not work with a buyer who "spreads his love around wide",  or will put in minimal effort. The buyer is the loser. If the agent knows you two are "going steady", you make it to the "A LIST". You deserve being on it; do what you ought to do to get  make the list.


2. You now work with the agent of your choice and she knows what you desire. Your task as  a buyer is to actually be ready to buy.


3. Obtain or provide a reliable lender's pre-approval letter and proof of funds (copy bank statement). No ifs, ands or buts. If you give the agent more than one excuse why you do  not have it, have not made the time or effort to get it or plan to get it "when you find the right property", the agent will not expend undue effort in helping you and instead spend more time with serious buyers. Yes, good agents will not consider you a serious buyer if you do not know how you will pay for a home purchase!


4. When the Realtor calls or emails you about a new listing and asks when you have time for a showing, respond promptly. Agents do not like to preview homes and waste time on buyers who will not schedule an appointment reasonably soon to see the home. The  timeframe depends on how hot the market is. Let your Realtor guide you. Remember the tango?


5. When your agent shows you a home with the features you desire, in the price range that works for you,  and you clearly like the home, don't wait for all your friends and family to give you the go-ahead to write an offer... unless of course they front the money for the purchase! And if that is the case, you better had told your agent about that little tidbit, right?

A serious homebuyer who follows these steps will have a loyal, hardworking professional at his or her side. Whether it's a slow dance or a spirited samba, I aim to adapt to the client.

Call me if you are searching for a home in Irvine, Costa Mesa, Tustin or Newport Beach and surrounding cities!

Article originally appeared on vista filare (http://www.vistafilare.com/).