Who’s Steeing This Boat?
Your Real Estate Agent
I get it. Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork, a myriad of twists and turns, and a million different details. And when it’s all done, you have a beautiful new home, a solid investment in your future and…..that GIANT STACK OF PAPERWORK!!!! So what is a buyer to do to make sure every “i” gets dotted and every “t” gets crossed……
Invest in a qualified Real Estate Agent
The number one thing you can do is choose your captain wisely. Because a home purchase is a ship disguised as a transaction and it requires a great captain. And no arguments about the commission payment either, because believe me, THEY EARN IT! A great Agent brings the proper tools for navigating the ups and downs of the transaction….from start to finish!
One of the biggest things we dread as Inspectors is the call that includes phrases like “I don’t have an Agent” or “I’m buying it from a friend with no Agents involved”… it’s like performing surgery without a doctor! Really! Now, I don’t pretend to be a Real Estate transaction expert (that’s what I had MY Agent for!) But we are only one step in the process…. and I can tell you, from personal experience, there are 7 different types of services we offer, in 102 different zip codes, with 3 different Inspectors, including 67 Municipalities, countless loan program requirements, unlimited title offices, and 5 different types of payments to choose from! And that is just the Home Inspection portion! (Breathe, calm down, close your eyes if you have to and process all that…) You need a GREAT Captain of that ship!
If I sound like I am lobbying for our Agents.. I AM! Why??? Because they make my job easier! Every single day! Let’s use yesterday as an example:
#1 – Agent ordered a termite inspection AFTER the home inspection was completed –
Buyer paid for the original services with a check at the Inspection – Buyer withdrew the contract AFTER the Inspection and still hadn’t paid for the termite (that’s called a “dead deal” FYI) – Buyer hadn’t responded to emails and text messages (Voicemail was full) – Agent was out of town at a conference in California – mutual release was due to fund without the termite being paid – Agent responded to a message from title while in CA – & WE GOT PAID!!!!
#2 – Agent ordered a building and termite inspection for a property
And it was set up for less than 24 hours from booking – Buyer had a VA loan – Agent contacted our office to let us know it was a VA Loan and asked what the policy was for payment on the termite inspection (VA requires the Seller to pay for the termite inspection, however the buyer should still be able to order it from a company of their choice) – Agent contacted the Seller’s Agent and informed them – Seller called the office to pay by phone – CLIENT HAD THEIR TERMITE INSPECTION PAID!!
#3 – Buyer was moving for his job –
ReLo (that’s short for relocation) company had specific parameters for payments by the buyer to be submitted for reimbursement – Agent contacted our office to ensure the invoice could be turned in and was worded correctly for the ReLo reimbursement – RELOCATION CO PAID & THE BUYER GOT PAID BACK!!!!
#4 – Buyer’s closing date was upon them – not all funds were accounted for
Buyer was in danger of losing a closing credit for a fairly weighty sum (trust me, by this point in the process, ALL sums feel weighty) – Agent phoned the office and requested payment tracking to verify and prove what method of payment was used at the Inspection – verification was provided – CLOSING PROCEEDED SMOOTHLY & EVERYBODY GOT PAID!!!!
And that is just one day in the life! Are you seeing a theme here? You should be. Agents know what they are doing. It’s their paid profession. There are so many things we are grateful for on a daily basis around here that come directly from Agents. I’d be here all day if I had to make a list. But let me expound on just a few:
Terms:
Our Agents read our reports all the time. They can quickly and easily help the Buyer navigate the language of the Inspection.
Importance:
A seasoned professional Agent can easily prioritize the items listed in the Inspection into what needs fixed, what needs replaced and what needs a price credit.
Influence:
Need something extra from me or one of my guys? It’s yours! Our Agents call and relay requests all day long and they get you the results you need in record time!
Guidance:
Not sure what to do now that the Inspection didn’t turn out the way you hoped? No worries. Your Agent can steer you through the steps required to halt the process and help you move forward until the home you are supposed to find appears!
Find an Agent who has the skills and knowledge necessary to guide you. Ask around, see who other people like, meet a few, and then decide what is best for you. Nothing about this process is a “one size fits all” – and ultimately, you need the Captain that best suits your ship.
