Archive for the 'General' category

Before someone will lend you money to purchase your next home, they are going to want to know a lot about you….and you’re entitled to know as much about them.

This is important because retaining a mortgage is not just a one-time signing of documents, a handshake and receiving a check. You will be depending on your lender to fund the loan, on time, as promised and over the life of the loan, keeping good payment records, paying your taxes on time (should you choose the option to do so) and many other continuing services.

Talk with your Realtor® about the lenders you have in mind. Experienced agents are fairly familiar with mortgage lenders and banks in your area, and should be able to give you sound advice about the lender/banks reputation, qualifying procedures, and many unique programs and benefits they may offer.

In my point of view, yes they should be. However, some agents may not be able to make it...It is really your wish and you should ask them to be there.

While a Realtors presence is not required by law, both the buying and selling agent  will most likely attend the closing. Even though the closing procedure is handled by the closing attorney, lenders and tittle companies, I have found being there for the "closing" brings a sort of calming atmosphere for everyone involved....especially if last minute issues arise.

Good agents are also extremely helpful in the days immediately before the closing. In addition, I always follow-up after the closing. 30, 60 and 90 days follow through to be sure everything is working out as planned. My clients are aways impressed to see the follow through and its fun to hear the excitement in the new home owners voices! 

The key word here is right. While there's certainly no shortage of qualified agents to choose from, it's important that you find one who can fully understand your wants, needs and individual tastes, and whose personal and professional judgment you respect.

Today's buyers also have more choices when it comes to choosing an  agent that can best represent them in a real estate transaction. Until recent years, virtually all real estate agents involved in a given transaction worked for the seller. However, a growing number of today's home buyers are choosing to be represented by a "buyer's agent. In contrast to traditional agents, a buyer's agent represents the buyer in the real estate transaction.

Most real estate companies throughout the United States have both buyer and seller agency. You should be presented with a disclosure statement by an agent before any working relationship between the two of you is created. That statement should explain what a buyer's agent is and does, what a seller's agent is and does, and what dual agency means. Today, most agents are practicing “Designated Agency”, which gives a more personal service to each individual buyer and seller from agents in the same firm.

The real estate agent once so designated is then the agent for either the buyer or seller who becomes their client. The designated agent owes the buyer or seller undivided loyalty, reasonable care, disclosure, obedience to lawful instruction, confidentiality and accountability, provided, however, that the agent must disclose known material defects in the real estate.

The agent must put their client's interests first and negotiate for the best price and terms for their client. In situations where the appointing agent designates another agent to represent the seller and an agent to represent the buyer then the appointing agent becomes a dual agent. Consequently a dual agent cannot satisfy fully the duties of loyalty, full disclosure, obedience to lawful instructions which is required of an exclusive seller or buyer agent. The dual agent does not represent either the buyer or the seller solely, only your designated agent represents your interests. For more information on "Agency", visit  www.BostonResidentialRe.com/agency
  
You will know when you meet the right Realtor....that agent will not only be knowledgeable and an expert in your community, he/she will have the right mix of professionalism and personality to bring your home to the market and understand the balancing act between the buyers and sellers to close the deal successfully.

It is very important to remember that real estate firms are governed by state laws that can vary, and so disclosure laws also may vary. Above all, look for someone who makes you feel comfortable.