Mike Grant

It’s not surprising that even people who are buying a second or third home can be intimidated when so much money is involved. Every detail of the process becomes of paramount importance.

Finding the right property, negotiating a price, and securing financing are a few of the steps buyers will have to go through, fortunately, they don’t have to go through them alone. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an experienced buyer I can help you make sure you find the right property to suit your needs at your price point.

Why A Buyer Needs A Real Estate Agent

There is a common misperception that real estate agents only work for sellers. While it’s true that most sellers rely on an agent to market their property and negotiate the price, buyers also need a representative on their side.

This is especially true for first-time buyers and those who are new to the area. Anyone can benefit from having the skills of a real estate agent at their disposal.

Contact me to help you buy a house today. You will get my time, expertise, advice, and support. The following are some of the main benefits of engaging an agent when buying a house in NZ.

An Agent Knows The Location

When a buyer is new to an area, it’s especially important to have a real estate agent who can provide insight into the quality of life in the neighbourhood where a house is located.

An agent is aware of the factors that affect life in a community, these can have an impact on the desirability of a given location for a client. An agent can steer the buyer toward a community with residents of a similar age, for example, or to a neighbourhood with amenities that will benefit the buyer’s family. These might include proximity to a good school, parks, a library, or other public services.

In addition, an agent can provide information about future planned developments that could affect the quality of life and value of a property in a given location, such as an anticipated change in traffic patterns or plans to develop a natural area near the neighbourhood. An agent who has experience in the local community can provide a big-picture view that newcomers would not otherwise be able to see.

An Agent Knows The Process

Another reason to engage an agent when buying a house is that the agent knows every step in the process of any type of sale, whether a private treaty, tender, or auction.

This is especially important for first-time buyers who have no experience with real estate transactions. The agent will make sure the buyer knows exactly how the process works and what he or she is expected to do as well as provide valuable advice about getting financing, organising a home inspection, new survey or other detail involved in purchasing a home. An agent who works in the area often has connections to other professionals and can get work done quickly.

An Agent Expands The Buyer’s Reach

Finally, a good real estate agent is like a matchmaker, finding the right property to fit the buyer’s lifestyle.

Agents are well suited to do this because they have a huge database of possibilities to work from. Buyers can drive around and look for signs, and of course, they can peruse online listings, but an agent may know of homes that are not yet available online and because of their local knowledge and connections may be able to shed more light on the property than is visible in an online listing. Thus, when a buyer presents a list of “wants” and “needs” for their new home, the agent has the tools to research and quickly come up with possible matches.

The Process Of Buying Real Estate

Buying real estate is a complicated, multi-step process. It involves a lot of time, effort, and of course, paperwork. A real estate agent can walk you through the following steps and make sure all the details are in order.

Determining A Price Range

For most people, the first step in buying a house is to figure out how much they can afford and how much they can finance. Most lenders are able to pre-qualify a customer for a loan based on some basic financial information. Once you have a maximum amount to borrow, you can calculate what you can afford in monthly payments. You also need to make sure you have enough cash on hand or in equity from the home you plan to sell in order to make a deposit.

List Wants And Needs

Once you have established an affordability range, it’s time to start thinking about houses. It’s a good idea to make a list of everything you want in a house and identify which ones are absolute requirements and which are desirable extras. Most people need a certain amount of space and number of bedrooms, for example, and these factors are probably non-negotiable. Other characteristics, like the quality of the neighbourhood and local schools, typically rank very high as well.

Start Looking At Properties

Contact me when you know what you’re looking for so that I can show you houses that meet your criteria and budget.

I know most local areas and are able to accurately assess market value, steering buyers away from homes that are overpriced or whose value is likely to decrease due to maintenance needs or changes in the neighbourhood.

Make An Offer Or Bid At Auction

Once you’ve made a decision, I will take you through the process of making an offer based on an appraisal of the home’s market value.

I can help you decide on any conditions you may need to add to the agreement, which may include repairs to the home or sale of your current home. If the property is sold at auction, then I will typically accompany you, make sure you have everything you need, and advise you on your bid.

Settle The Purchase

The last step in the process of buying a house, is the settlement.

In order to settle the transaction, you will need to hire a solicitor. Typically, I will recommend one if you don’t already have someone you want to use. On the day of the settlement, the solicitor will ascertain that there is no other claim to the title of the house and that the property is appropriately insured. Then the final payment will be transferred to the seller, and you will be able to take possession of your new home.

Knowing The Market

The most effective agent for a buyer is someone who knows the local real estate market well.

Look for a company that has been in business for a long time and has an office in the area where you want to buy property. An agent who knows the market will be able to offer helpful insights about how well a home is priced for its condition and location and also what life is like in the neighbourhood or community where the house is located.

Having Experience

Most buyers find that they work best with an agent who is experienced with the type of property they want to buy.

Thus, home buyers should look for an agent who focuses on residential properties and has been in the business long enough to have connections that will be helpful to the buyer, such as lenders, home inspectors, and solicitors that the agent knows and can recommend.

Understanding Your Needs

A good real estate agent is a good listener who pays attention to what the buyer wants and makes sure the buyer has realistic expectations. A good agent will also respect your wishes in terms of the negotiation process and be as assertive or as laid-back as you need in order to make the deal with as little stress as possible for you.

If you’re ready to start looking for a house, contact me where you want to buy. I will help you with everything from finding a house and getting financing to getting the home inspected and making an offer. I am also happy to work with buyers who are interested in investment and lifestyle properties.