One of the most rewarding facets of being a REALTOR® is Buyer Representation.  Most seasoned agents won't tell you that they no longer enjoy it - they've lost their passion for it!

Working with buyers affords agents the opportunity to utilize the skills they've honed for years to the benefit of someone who often has no idea how beneficial they can be!  First-time homebuyers are always high on my list of 'Favorite Client Moments' as the level happiness is frequently off-the-charts!

The days of CAVEAT EMPTOR (Buyer Beware) are decades behind us.  REALTORS® today can put all their knowledge and resources into assuring their purchasers are receiving the best property at the best terms possible.  Years ago, both agents in a transaction represented the seller... yeah, both.  I don't understand it either.

The perception amongst many consumers is:

• Agents schedule showings on their own company's listings
• Appointments always magically come together
• Door knobs get turned
• When the buyer gives the thumbs-up, the agent fills in the blanks on the contract and waits to pick up their check at closing

Having been on both sides of literally HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of transactions, I can tell you that - in some cases - the above doesn't seem far from accurate for many competitors, unfortunately.

Some of us take our fiduciary duty MUCH more seriously.  You'd certainly lose interest in this blog posting if I were to describe each and every point of difference between top-level service and also-ran agents, but I'll hit some of the high points for you - because it's important.

Frankly, each transaction is quite different - so describing a set process is virtually impossible, but here are some examples:

• Familiarization - I spend a great deal of time not only learning the 'what' people want in their home, but also the 'why'.  Sometimes they overlap, but often there are unknown options that can exceed their expectations!  It's also important to discover how to communicate in a way that promotes understanding.  Some people want to be told, others need to be shown.
• Match-Making - Homes very often speak to people!  There really is the 'This Is The One!' phenomena where people just know.  Sometimes though, things don't exactly follow the script.  I've seen wonderful people lose their dream home because they believe they need to see every home in their pricepoint to validate their decision, and during those substantiating tours - the dream home sells to someone else.  Some purchasers love every home they tour!  This typically occurs during the time of some other life change.  Others follow a more traditional path of coordinating best property to appropriate budget.  Some struggle to find 'the' home without proper guidance.  No matter the buyer type, it takes a great deal of effort, research, experience and understanding to not only match them with the perfect home, but also keep the process productive and enjoyable.
• Negotiating - There are as many negotiating tactics as there are buyer types!  I REALLY enjoying winning for my clients!!  Victory can certainly disguise itself in many ways.  
  • Getting a seller to sell at a figure lower than anticipated
  • Structuring a deal that's beneficial to the buyer's cash-on-hand
  • Holding the winning bid in a competitive situation
  • 'Stealing' a home that's underpriced!
  Often, 'winning' negotiations means putting together a transaction that's absolutely seamless on a property the purchaser has determined to be their next home.
• Transactional Process - This is where the 'rubber meets the road' in real estate brokerage.  The National Association of REALTORS® once estimated that every transaction is 'touched' 428 times by dozens of individuals - let me be your experienced, single point-of-contact to get you through!!  All REALTORS® need a strong team behind them - lenders, inspectors, attorneys, title agencies, contractors, etc.  Not all have it.  The benefit to my buyers is not only in the professionalism of my team, but in the coordination we bring to the transaction.  I always leverage my experience to my client's best interest.  Solving issues before they become roadblocks has become a skill I've developed over the years - often my clients aren't aware of the issue until it has already been resolved!  
• Pre-Closing Preparations - As the closing date draws near, the coordination crescendos!  
  • Title work comes to fruition ensuring a transferable deed.  This includes validation of flood plain, verifying release of all prior mortgages and that the legal description of the property is up-to-date.
  • Finalizing a mortgage is dramatically different now that in days past.  Underwriters (not your loan officer!) require repeated verification of employment, deposits, expenditures and bank statements leading up to closing.  A new layer of consumer protection is the TRID.  You'll now receive a summary of charges at least 72 hours prior to closing!  This must be accepted, signed and returned by buyers before closing can be finalized.
  • It's critical that we verify the condition of the property prior to closing!!  In business, I believe in 'Trust, But Verify'.  We'll schedule a walk-through on the property 2-3 days prior to closing.  We're focused on two things at this appointment:
    • Confirming that all negotiated repair items have been completed in a professional manner and as agreed.  
    • Making certain that the property's current condition matches the condition that it was in when we first toured it, subject to ordinary wear-and-tear.
• Closing - Ideally, we're doing all of the cliches at this point:
  • Crossing t's
  • Dotting i's
  • Tying up loose ends
  There are always last minute adjustments to figures and verifications that Form X was submitted on such-and-such date.  But the goal is always for a happy signing and a joyous occasion!

Real estate brokerage is more of an art than a science -  and when done well, INFINITELY more than just turning doorknobs!  As properties change, so do the personalities, needs and expectations.  A great deal of empathy and fluidity are required to successfully navigate transactions - but with clear understanding, I'll get you into the house you want at the terms you expect!

If you, or someone you know would benefit from some knowledge on how the homebuying and mortgage processes work - please touch base!  

It was absolutely my pleasure!  Thank you Andy!