Hey Buyer, Meet Your New BFF

Real estate has changed a lot in the past ten years. At the same time, it hasn't changed a bit. Regardless of how many online resources are available to buyers now (don’t even get us started on Zillow), a real estate agent is the most powerful tool you could have as a buyer. Who you choose to work with matters more than you think. You need someone exclusively dedicated to guiding your search and representing you through the process: someone who will go to bat for you, someone who will answer your calls, someone who will listen and talk through any stress, anxieties, or fears. We like to think of a buyer’s agent as your real estate bestie. It doesn't cost you anything, but it could save you everything. 

1. First of all, it doesn’t cost you a thing. The seller pays all of the real estate commission, which means that the buyer does not have to contribute anything extra for having a buyer’s agent. If you can have someone represent you exclusively, why would you not?
2. You need insight into the market MONTHS before you plan to buy. An agent’s expertise will be able to help you narrow your search on the front end, saving you tons of time, stress, and energy over the course of your search. A buyer’s agent will also preview properties for you. No reason for you to waste time looking at homes that don’t meet all of your criteria.
3. Another reason you need an agent early on in your search is because they have the networks to know about coming soon properties. Especially in a market like Nashville and Williamson County, where properties are flying (and we mean FLYING) off the market that insider knowledge can be the difference between you landing your dream home or missing out. Don’t believe us?Check out recent statsand our take on them.
4. A buyer’s agent will be able to give you valuable information about neighborhood comps and resale value to ensure that you are making a wise investment. And when it comes to making an offer, your agent will be honest about the price the home is worth. Why would you make a financial investment like this without the guidance of an expert?
5. Speaking of expertise, real estate agents can negotiate like nobody’s business. Negotiating closing costs, purchase price, repair items, and other details can be stressful and overwhelming for someone unfamiliar with the process. A real estate agent swoops in and takes over so you can relax. This is their thing.
6. A real estate agent also has a helpful network of lenders, title companies, repairmen, home inspectors, insurance agents, and moving companies that they work with routinely and can recommend. (If you’re thinking about buying, check out one of our favorite lenders, Lance Dammeyer. He and his team at Legacy Mutual Mortgage have some great online resources to get you started.) Another win-win for you.
7. A buyer’s agent is skilled at handling a million details throughout the real estate process – which means less stress for you.
8. And after you close on your home, guess who is still around? Your real estate agent. Need advice about remodeling? Curious about how much your neighbor’s house sold for? Thinking about moving again? That’s right. You call your real estate agent. 

Using a buyer’s agent is just a no-brainer, especially in a competitive market like ours. We love working with buyers, whether you’ve enjoyed home ownership for decades or you’re just starting to think about your first home. We love making new friends, and we can guide you through the process from start to finish. Let us be your new BFFs! Give us a call.