The Right Realtor is Important when Buying a North Shore Home

When it’s time to buy a North Shore home, the first thing you usually think of is finding the right realtor for you. Whether you pick a realtor based on a personal recommendation or his or her ad, it’s important to do your homework before deciding on a realtor – it is a large financial endeavor, and you need someone who you feel comfortable with and trust to help you find your dream home.

Here are a few things that you should ask and look for in a realtor before deciding on which one to help you make what may become the largest purchase of our life.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
It’s natural to have questions and you should ask a lot them. Take advantage of the realtor’s education and expertise by asking some of the following questions before deciding to choose them:

• What is your commission?

• Do you require an exclusivity contract?

• How long is such a contract binding?

• What services does your team offer?

• Do I have you on a full-time or part-time basis?

• How long have you worked in the area?

• What is your record last year for helping people find a home?

• Do you have testimonials or references I can validate?

Be Honest to Yourself and Your Realtor
Before buying a home, you need to have some realistic ideas of what you are looking for in your dream home and where you would like to buy. Of course, the village or neighborhood can vary after you have started looking and realize true home prices, but it’s good to have an idea before starting.

If your realtor doesn’t know what your dreams are, they cannot be expected to find them in a home. Explain the style of house you are looking for, the neighborhoods you're interested in, if you want to buy within a good school district or have parks and nature areas close to you, what necessities you want in your home and how much you are pre-approved for or willing to spend.

Don’t Sign Anything Right Away
Most realtors you speak to may ask you to sign an exclusivity agreement. This is an agreement that binds you to work exclusively with that agent so, before signing, make sure the realtor you have chosen has the expertise and your best interests at hand to find the best home for your family.

Do Not Work with Multiple Realtors at the Same Time
More than likely, the agents will end up showing you the exact same properties and it will take more of your time while becoming counterproductive. A qualified agent skilled in the neighborhoods and price ranges you are looking for will be all the expertise you will need.

Don’t Feel Pressured with Your Realtor
If you feel pressured to look at properties you know are not right for you, if you have to justify your decisions or feel pressured into negotiating or signing a contract you aren’t ready for, that is an immediate sign that it’s time to take your business elsewhere.

Trust Your Realtor
You should trust your realtor and value their opinion. Ask them what they feel are the advantages and disadvantages of the property you have chosen. If you don’t have a personal relationship with your realtor to trust their expertise and instincts, it may be a good inclination they are not the one for you. They have helped many people find their dream homes and have a lot of professional insight for you to use.

When buying a North Shore home, contact The Marla Schneider Team to help you find your dream home. We encourage questions and feel confident that we can help you with all your needs. We have the expertise and experience with all of the North Shore villages to ensure that we can find the best homes to fit your needs.