I was prompted to write this blog post after a client of mine, while waiting to hear if the offer we had written on a house was to be accepted or countered stated: "it sure goes faster on HGTV". I chuckled, and said "yes, real estate in reality is not like what is seen on TV."
Jim has a cousin who was approached by a popular real estate reality show to be featured as a house hunter. What she found out is that they would have already needed to secure/buy a home prior to being featured. Disappointing for sure! So truthfully, you aren't hunting for a home, but just pretending to be house hunting as you already have found a home. The hard part of a home purchase is done! Again it's for entertainment not education!
A brief mention of getting your financing in order, looking at three or four homes, and then making a decision. Writing an offer and it's accepted! Yes! Is that the reality of house hunting? In this broker's opinion - No!
( By the way - there is no condemnation for enjoying these real estate programs. I myself enjoy one of them very much! Again, I look at it as entertainment!)
So what is the reality of house hunting? Let me list just a few points that are real to a real estate purchase!
1. Well of course the first order of business is finding a good real estate broker to assist you with your home purchase. As brokers, Jim and my service to a buyer is free. What does this mean? It means the buyer does not pay for our services. Commissions are paid by the seller in the majority of transactions. As a buyers agent we look out for your best interest. We can show you any home on the market no matter if you find it yourself, a friend mentions it or it's found on a different search app etc. We invest our time into you and your transaction! Your personal interest is our first and foremost priority! Period!
2. The second order of business is getting your financing in order. What can you afford? And most importantly, not so much what can you afford, but what payment are you comfortable with? We can also assist you in finding a respectable mortgage professional.
3. While we understand that most buyers will be searching for their new home on the internet, as brokers, we will also set up a personalized search for you. Inputting criteria that is most important for you in a home. That will translate into an email being sent daily if any new or changed listings that fit your criteria become available.
4. Showings... we understand a client might find the perfect home the first day out! Others it might take more time. It's not an hour long television program and the viola' you have found that home! We take our time in order for you to find your perfect home, at the right time and for the right price!
5. The offer and acceptance of offer... this is where as your broker we advise you how the what, how, when and why of the 7 page purchase agreement. There could be counter offers. We negotiate on your behalf!
6. What comes next? Formal mortgage application, inspections, inspection responses, negotiating inspection items, appraisal, underwriting, utilities, etc etc... and ultimately closing. We will help guide you through all of these processes.
I could write a blog post at length for all six items I have listed above. I could go into much more depth of the items listed above as well.
But for now I will leave you with this thought...
In REALITY a home purchase takes more time than what is seen on television. YOU are more than a business transaction to The Schwark Real Estate Team. A buyer is not a means to food on our table or money in our bank account. While real estate is our career; we take our client's purchase personally because this transaction is perhaps the larger transaction most people will make in their lifetime. We want to be thorough, professional and find that perfect home for our clients! We don't stop being your agent after closing. We are there for you!
Bottom Line: Real Estate Television is not reality. It's entertainment! Real Estate Reality - finding that perfect home for our clients in the smoothest possible way! We are "Two, Working Together to Serve You!"
