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The fact that you are asking these simple questions is enough reason for me to say you do not know what you do not know. Just because you can see a property on Redfin does not mean you know if it is a good home or not. It does not mean that the asking price is correct. You also do not know what other terms and conditions are important (price is not the only factor).
If you plan on having a mortgage, your first step is to qualify through a realible mortgage lender.
You next step is to sit down with an agent that knows the local market and diiscuss your needs & wants. Then put together a plan to make it happen.
You definitely need to get an agent that will represent you. Never go through the listing agent. While dual representation is legal in some states, it's never a good idea, especially if you're a novice.
Things may have changed or may be different in different states. But when I last bought a house, it was crazy NOT to use an agent. This is because, typically, the seller's contract with his or her agent required a fee split if you used a buyer agent. For example, if the commission was 6%, 3% went to the buyer's agent. This was to encourage buyers' agents to bring prospective buyers to the house, etc. if you did not have a buyer's agent, the 6% was still paid--but to the seller's agent. So, you wouldn't get a discount on the price, and might even get a worse price, because no pro was representing you, with market knowledge and negotiating skill.
Your buyers agent does not cost you anything. Find one you have a good rapport with, and let him/her find what you want.
The agent can get a jump on new listings and can also network with other agents to locate properties before they get snapped up.
We moved out of state and could never have managed in our short time frame without her and her connections to inspectors and mortgage brokers, etc.
My daughter and SIL would have lost the house they just bought, had it not been for their buyers agent.
Last edited by gentlearts; 05-29-2017 at 10:15 AM..
In nearly every instance a buyer will be well served by having a good agent.
But what EVERY buyer needs is to have an attorney on board before doing anything.
Before you sign any agent contracts and absolutely before signing any offer contracts.
Quote:
I contacted the listing agent to learn about the properties.
Some agents responds to my questions, but other asked me to communicate through my agent.
Do I need to involve agent before deciding to take it to next step or not?
If your looking is limited to a single and identifiable radius...
you should find a good agent who knows that area to help asap.
First though find that RE attorney and get pre-qualified for a mortgage.
In the west, attorneys in residential real estate are not common.
In Colorado, our contracts are mandated by the state and they are written in plain English.
I tell my clients upfront, I will let you know when we need to panic. I can see a train wreck coming after 28 years of helping nice folks buy and sell real estate in Denver.
It's the clients choice to hire their friend, coworker, family member with no experience, or they can hire someone with the knowledge and experience to do the work as professionally as possible.
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