Buying a home

It's probably the biggest investment you'll ever make, with long-term financial ramifications. It calls for many informed decisions and for good advice from a true real estate professional - your local REALTOR®.

When buying a home, here’s what you can learn from a Realtor’s® knowledge and skill:

• A REALTOR® helps you determine how much home you can actually afford. Often a REALTOR® can suggest additional ways to accrue the down payment and explain alternative financing methods.

• A REALTOR® can help you work out a realistic idea of the home best suited to your needs - size, style, features, location, accessibility to schools, transportation and shopping and other public facilities.

• A REALTOR® has access to listings of available homes, can evaluate them in terms of your needs and affordability, and doesn’t waste your time on unsuitable homes.

• A REALTOR® can often suggest simple, imaginative changes that could make a home more suitable for you and improve its utility and value.

• A REALTOR® can supply information on real estate values, taxes, utility costs, municipal services and facilities, and may be aware of proposed zoning changes that could affect your decision to buy.

• A REALTOR® can usually research your housing needs in advance through a Multiple Listing Service - even if you are relocating in another city.

• A REALTOR® has no emotional ties to the homes, can be objective about them and can point out advantages and disadvantages while answering your questions.

• If a REALTOR® is the seller’s agent, he or she acts as a liaison between you and the seller to present offers and counter-offers until an agreement is reached.

• If a REALTOR® is the buyer’s agent, he or she represents you, the buyer, in the transaction. They will negotiate the most favorable price and terms on your behalf.

• A REALTOR® can tell you if local law requires an attorney at closing and can provide you with a list to choose from if you don’t have one.

• A REALTOR® usually knows the local money market and can tell you about financing. A REALTOR® can also tell you what personal and financial data to bring with you when you apply for a loan.

• A REALTOR® can help familiarize you with the closing process by explaining it all in advance.

• A REALTOR® is part of a network of professional colleagues, such as appraisers, home inspectors, mortgage lenders, contractors and insurance agents - through which you may be more completely served.

 • A REALTOR® shows you only those homes best suited to your needs - size, style, features, location, accessibility to schools, transportation, shopping and other public facilities.