Buyers!

What can a veteran real state agent do to help or assist you in buying the right home?

• They can help you figure out how much you can afford to purchase a home.  Often, they can suggest ways to acquire the necessary down payment and explain financing.  They can also refer or introduce you to established mortgage loan officers, and arrange for you to get "pre-approved for a mortgage.  
• They can advise you on different levels of client services, meaning that they can work for you as a buyer's agent and help negotiate the best terms and price on a home; or they can serve as a seller's sub-agent (for disclosed dual agency) acting as a intermediary between you and the seller to present property offers and possible counteroffers until an agreement is reached.
• They can assist you in figuring out what home best suits your needs. They can assist you in evaluating the benefits or negatives of a home, such as the style, size, location, features, accessibility and personal preferences.
• They can often give you suggestions on making a home more suitable for your needs and or, improving it's value with minimal improvements.
• They have access to ALL the homes currently available on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), and can evaluate those properties in terms of your needs and affordability.
• They can get you information on real estate values, real estate taxes, utility costs, city services available, and supply you with information on proposed zoning changes that could affect your decision to purchase a property.
• They can refer you to qualified home inspectors and general contractors and help coordinate the home inspection.
• They will guide you through the property closing process, and assist you obtaining closing costs figures well in advance of the closing.

What kind of a house should I buy? 

Whether you are a family of two or twenty, your needs will be unique and important to you.

Decide on what kind of home you are looking for. 

Are you a first-time home buyer? Or have you purchased a home before? You need to figure out what meets your needs. Would you like to stay in a certain community? What kind of features are you looking for in a home? How many bedrooms or baths. Is a large back yard important to you. Do you want room to expand or is a finished basement your ideal. What about DIY home improvement? Our team can help you to decide on what you need.

Make a list. 

Write down the things you would like in your new home. Think about where you live currently. What do you like about where you are right now? What do you wish you could change? Would you be interested in a condo, townhome or a single family home?

A home is more than just a bunch of rooms. If you look at several houses that all have four bedrooms and two bathrooms with similar prices, they could still be very different in their layout and location. Even their lot sizes and taxes can be radically different.

What is most important to you?

If you can't afford a home at your price with everything you want, what is a priority for you? Can you live without the four car garage? Do you absolutely need a larger kitchen. Do you mind driving for an hour to get to work? How close will you be to things like a gas station or a grocery store?

What do you think your needs will be several years from now? Are you planning on expanding your family? Perhaps now would be a good time to think about buying a larger home with more bedrooms or a bonus room.

How handy are you?  Can you tackle that DIY project yourself? Or can you afford to have someone come in and take care of it for you? Perhaps you might prefer to buy a house that is move-in ready instead.

Where would you like to look for a home?

All neighborhoods and cities have different characteristics that make them special and unique. Would you be interested in a location that has homes of historical value? Or is a downtown Minneapolis or St Paul feel more important? What about traffic near by?

We can help you to find the home that is right for you no matter what your desires and needs are. Our team of professionals are the best way to find the right fit for you!

How does the Home Buying Process work?