Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the right buyer’s representative matters. Before hiring an agent, consider asking about their negotiating approach, the level of personal support you’ll receive, referrals to other service providers, their experience and credentials, past client references, how representation and fiduciary duties work, the services they provide at each stage, how they’re compensated, financing guidance, and their access to MLS listings.
The typical home buying process moves through several stages: budget exploration and lender pre-approval, choosing an agent, the home search, making an offer, acceptance, working with a title company, the option period, inspection, appraisal, loan processing, clear-to-close, a final walkthrough, and closing day.
Seller’s Guide
Choosing the right listing representative is just as important. Ask a potential listing agent about their negotiating strategy, personal support, how showing appointments are handled, their marketing plan, how they’ll determine a list price, experience and credentials, references, representation and fiduciary duties, services provided, compensation, and pre-listing support.
The home selling process generally includes pre-listing groundwork, preparing the property to list, showing the home, receiving and negotiating an offer, acceptance, working with a title company, the option period and inspection, appraisal, loan processing, clear-to-close, a final walkthrough, and closing.