Buying a house is not as easy. Here are 12 reasons why you need an agent , whether you are Buying or Selling a Home.   There is a mountain of paperwork and legal issues that need to be dealt with. Using professional assistance from a Realtor is the only way to go.   1.       Your agent can help you determine what you can comfortably pay for a home. They    can get you in touch with a mortgage specialist.   2.      Your agent  has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.    3.      Your agent can assist you in the selection process by providing information about each property. Agents who are Realtors have access to a variety of informational resources. Your Realtor can provide local c...

  Should I Hire a Buyer's Agent? Yes.     Real estate agent is a professional in a field where most buyers and sellers are novices. This is likely the largest single purchase you will ever make. After all, how often do you drop a quarter of a million dollars or more on a shopping spree? Home buying and selling is full of pitfalls that can be avoided with an agent to provide you with expert assistance, knowledge of the market and negotiation skills. Your agent is the unbiased voice of reason who brings objectivity to the table. An agent helps sellers see past their emotional connection to their home and helps buyers deal with a multiple bid situation. Your agent can recommend a good independent home inspector who can provide a list of repair needs. Then, the agent will help evaluate which repairs are reasonable and which are excessive as you get your home ready to sell. Your agent also has contacts with excellent contractors to make the necessary repairs. Det...

  The Need for a Home Inventory With the hurricanes, floods and earthquakes happening weekly, I thought it might be a good time to share about how important having an home inventory is for everyone. My sister and I put together a fact sheet on home inventories for our clients about five years ago.  Remind your family and friends so they are prepared if necessary.  Having  your home contents insured is very important. Having a detailed record of everything that you own is a must. Should you ever need to file a claim; the insurance adjuster will expect you to submit a list of all damaged belongings, complete with purchase dates, purchase prices, brand names, model numbers, receipts and photos. If you can't provide this information, your claim may be denied, and that's not what you've been paying those hefty premiums for! Protect yourself (and your belongings) by completing a full home inventory and updating it annually.  Having an up-to-date home inventory will he...

  B uyers advice and real estate information I have been a realtor in SW Michigan for over 20 years. I came across this list of 6 reasons, to use a real estate agent. There are a lot more than just six reasons but these are important ones. Your Buyer’s Agent can help you determine you can afford. If you give a Buyer’s Agent some basic information on your financial picture ; savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to mortgage lenders best qualified to help you. Your Buyer’s Agent can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.   Your Buyer’s Agent can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTOR® have access to a variety of informational resources and a Code of Ethics they need to adhere to. A  Buyer’s Agent can provide local community information on utilities, zoning schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, wil...