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The 1st Time Home Buyer’s Guide – Part 1
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elcome to the first installment of my new blog series, “The 1st Time Home Buyer’s Guide”! My name is Naomi Auerbach, and I’m a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Ward Real Estate here in Ashland, Ohio.
This series is designed to help first-time home buyers successfully navigate the process of purchasing their first home. Over the next few weeks, I’ll break down the key events in the home-buying journey, starting with one of the most critical steps: choosing the right real estate agent to represent you.
Buying your first home is one of the most exciting milestones in life! But let’s be real, it can also feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced and reliable real estate agent who truly has your best interests at heart. Before you dive into the home-buying process, let me emphasize how crucial it is to partner with a licensed real estate professional who will guide you through the entire experience. As a first-time buyer, you’ll benefit from having someone dedicated to representing you every step of the way.
One of the most satisfying and rewarding aspects of my career in real estate is helping people successfully achieve their home buying goals. This is especially true with 1st Time Home Buyers. There are few things better in life than helping someone, for the first time, realize their dreams of home ownership.
Before we begin though, let me first stress to you the importance of contracting with a licensed real estate professional to represent you in the home buying process, particularly if you are a 1st Time Buyer. As we will discuss further, you owe it to yourself to have someone who is dedicated solely to being your advocate, and representing your best interests.
So, how do you choose the right real estate agent? Here are some common questions 1st Time Home Buyers often ask:
– How do I choose a real estate agent? – Why is it so important to have an agent represent me in a home purchase? – What qualities or traits should I look for when interviewing agents/brokers?In this first part of the blog, I’ll share the first five traits that I believe every great agent should have. In Part Two, we’ll dive into the final five essential traits. With that said, the following is a basic list of traits to consider when selecting your agent/broker:
1. Advocate: Hopefully, as you begin your house buying adventure, you will hear a lot about real estate agency law. Professional agents/brokers take agency representation very seriously. There are very specific duties, responsibilities, and obligations that a licensed agent/broker is mandated by State law to fulfill to their clients. Listing Agents are under contract with the Sellers. They only represent the Sellers best interests, not the Buyers. A Buyer’s Agent owes their fiduciary or statutory duties and obligations solely to the Buyer. When you meet with a prospective agent, ask them to explain agency law. Ask them whom they would represent in the purchase transaction. A great agent is passionate about working for their Buyer’s best interests.
2. Knowledgeable: A great agent is a knowledgeable agent. They understand local, State, and Federal laws concerning real estate. They are proficient with all types of purchase & sale contracts, and can explain all the various forms and addendums to you. They know the local market they serve inside and out, and can provide you with valued counsel based on their experience and local market expertise.
3. Ethical: Licensed real estate professionals are held to a very high standard, The NAR Code of Ethics. While there may be the occasional bad apple, most agents genuinely strive to maintain these ethical practices in their daily business. They don’t just talk about being ethical, it’s a foundational element of who and what they are.
4. Accessible: Great agents will make themselves easily accessible and available to their clients. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they have no life and you can call them 24/7 with your questions. But it does mean that they will make you feel as though you’re their only client! If they aren’t available to take your call, they’ll actually return your messages promptly and on the same day! Great agents also know how to leverage new technologies to provide greater accessibility for their clients.
5. Communicator: A great agent creates and maintain constant and effective lines of communication with their clients. They’ll also take the time to understand your communication preferences, whether that’s via phone, email, or text. Good communication builds trust and ensures that you’re never left in the dark.. Good, clear communication is especially critical for 1st Time Buyers. They can never have too much information.
Look for the remaining 5 traits in my next article in the 1st Time Home Buyer’s Guide.
I hope this blog post resonates with you, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you in future articles. If you’re ready to start your home-buying adventure, or if you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime! Happy home buying!
– Naomi Auerbach –
Realtor at Coldwell Banker Ward Real Estate
