The professionals who guide you through the homebuying process are experts in their field and can make your homebuying experience easier, faster and overall more enjoyable. The most critical first step is finding the best team of experts for your particular homebuying needs. To lessen the stress of homebuying read on for your guide to assembling an expert homebuying team.
Real estate professional
Partnering with a real estate professional with the right experience for your situation and who is an excellent personality fit is an essential first step in assembling your expert homebuying team. When you’re interviewing real estate agents, ensure they are well-versed in your targeted area, specialize in homes in the price range at which you’re searching, and are someone you will enjoy spending time with. It’s also important they have deep local market knowledge, so they can most effectively help you navigate a competitive real estate market. They should be able to provide access to private listings, insight into inventory before it’s available, deep familiarity with the comparables, future plans for the neighborhood and more.
Since the homebuying process involves additional team players, it’s also beneficial for your real estate agent to have a trusted network of other professionals, such as a lender, home inspector, attorney and construction or design resources.
Mortgage lender
If you don’t have a mortgage lender or institution, consult with your real estate agent as a starting point. It’s also important to shop around for mortgage lenders, so you can be confident that you are securing the best rate and you’re comfortable with the financing terms.
Real estate attorney
While not every state requires homebuyers to have a real estate attorney, working with an attorney during the homebuying process offers additional protection and can help the overall process go smoothly. A real estate attorney can review contracts, negotiate on your behalf and ensure you’re not agreeing to any terms that aren’t in your best interest.
Home inspector
A home inspection is a vital part of the closing process. As the buyer, it’s in your best interest to hire the inspector, so you can be confident that the inspector inspects the home thoroughly and honestly. Many real estate agents have several inspectors who they rely on to complete home inspections.
Insurance company
Often, you must have proof of insurance before closing on the home. Having a home insurance broker and company whom you trust can help you feel confident that you’re major asset is protected.
Construction resources
If you’re buying a home and intend to renovate or take on home improvement projects, it can be helpful to have construction and design resources lined up. This can help you begin the construction process as soon as possible and can even be beneficial if they walk the home with you before buying, so you’re confident that you can achieve the updates you desire.
