Military Buyers: 6 Big Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent

Buying a home can be a thrilling journey, but it’s also a quite complex process. And while you can choose to navigate that road alone, why would you? A real estate agent offers a wealth of personalized services that will make the purchase easy and enjoyable. And you probably won’t pay an agent a dime to represent you. In most parts of the country, agents are paid by the sellers.

Let’s take a look at the many ways an agent will improve the buying process, with a review of the 6 big reasons to hire a real estate agent.

1. Efficient House Hunt

Real estate agents are local property experts. An experienced agent can immediately call to mind properties of interest to potential buyers, and can locate a variety of others with a quick online search. Many military buyers scheduled to PCS are on a tight deadline for purchase, and don’t have time to waste. Using an experienced real estate agent makes for an efficient, streamlined house hunt.

2. Walkthroughs

Once you have a list of homes you want to tour, your agent will schedule showings. In most areas, you’re not able to tour a home without an agent present, so hiring your own agent is practically mandatory.

Your agent’s knowledge is an extremely valuable asset, particularly during the property search. Skilled agents will immediately point out property defects or neighborhood concerns that aren’t obvious to the untrained eye.

3. Hunting Down Property Details

Eager buyers may be ready to sign a contract after the first showing, but agents help instill appropriate restraint. Only after a careful exploration of the property details can a buyer truly possess the information necessary to make an offer.

Buyers agents help house hunters amass a wealth of property information, which often includes the following:

• Seller’s disclosure statement: A seller’s description of the home’s appliances and systems.
• Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): A CMA analyzes sales of comparable homes to help buyers and agents establish a fair market value for a particular home.
• Property tax details: Agents can locate property tax records for the home in question, so you’ll know an estimated amount due.

4. Negotiating

You wouldn’t step into a courtroom without legal representation. Nor should you enter real estate negotiations without a trained advocate.

Real estate agents know exactly how far to push a seller, what contingencies to toss in, and how to get you the most house for your money. It’s a skill that takes time to develop, so it’s best to let a professional handle the haggling.

5. Supervising Repairs

Even brand new homes can have glitches. It’s fairly likely that either you or your lender will request that certain repairs be completed.

An agent will help you conduct a final walkthrough, during which you’ll make sure that repairs have been done, all unnecessary items have been removed, and the home is in proper condition. Buyers can face delays or a failed transaction if the roof wasn’t repaired as agreed or a handrail hasn’t been installed.

But buyers with agents have a good chance of overcoming these difficulties. A good buyer’s agent immediately steps up to the plate to advocate for your needs. Your agent goes directly to the seller’s agent with a list of problems, and follows up to ensure all repairs are completed by the closing date.

6. Closing

Getting to the closing table indicates the end of the transaction is near. And even though you’re inches away from those keys, problems can still pop up that could delay your purchase.

That’s why it’s a good idea to have an agent at your side during the closing process. Shortly before closing, your agent should review the HUD-1 closing statement with you. This document lists the costs involved with the sale, and tabulates a final amount owed by the buyer. Agents will carefully review the HUD-1 form and address any inaccuracies.

Need a good agent?

If you’re using your VA loan benefits, it’s extremely important to utilize an agent who is familiar with the VA program. You can locate an experienced, military-friendly real estate agent via Veterans United Realty, and may even qualify for a cash rebate of $375 at closing. Contact Veterans United Realty via veteransunitedrealty.com or give them a call at 855-217-0768.