Things to Do Before Hiring a Real Estate Agent
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When you’re buying or selling a property, it can allure you to do it all by yourself. If you’re new to the real estate industry, you’d think it’s expensive to hire one, or maybe someone you know has had a bad experience working with a real estate agent.
But it’s important to hire one, especially if you don’t have the knowledge and experience as well as excellent negotiating skills. Keep in mind though that there are things you have to do before hiring a real estate agent. To know some of them, read on.
Clean
Make sure to clean your home before putting it on the real estate market. Remember a clean bathroom can do more wonders than you think. So, clean it thoroughly, and it will show how much you love and care about your space. Don’t forget to clean the not so obvious areas in your home, too. Get your cleaning materials and tidy up the windows. Unsullied windows will allow more natural light to come in and the home dwellers to relish the view.
Repair
Do home repairs before you hire a real estate agent that can help sell your home right away. Start by adding a fresh coat of paint to make it look new again. Re-painting it using neutral colours is the best choice as it can help potential homebuyers to picture themselves in your place. Include your home’s curb appeal in your home improvement project as well. The front of your home will typically give the first impression, so be sure that it’s in prime condition.
Be Pre-approved for a Mortgage
Before you deal with a real estate agent, the first thing you have to do is to know the choices for you when it comes to mortgages. Understand that there are things that affect a mortgage’s interest rate, price, and term. Moreover, there’s a difference between being pre-approved and pre-qualified. Being pre-approved is your key to having the official mortgage application.
A mortgage application is comprehensive and it contains the property information that’s being considered for purchase, as well as the employment history and financial information of the person liable for payment. Before you borrow, you have to evaluate your financial capability first.
Take note that if you give a smaller down payment, you have to be prepared to pay for a bigger mortgage payment every month. The necessary information on a typical mortgage application includes your address, dependents, and marital status. Also, you’d need to give your date of birth and social security number information, and the credit type you’re applying for.
Look for a Real Estate Agent
Look for a real estate agent that can help you locate a home that perfectly fits your lifestyle and character. If you’re a new buyer or seller, scout for one who has extensive experience working with newbies. If you want to hire the best real estate agent Berwick has a team of professionals that can assist you with the whole buying or selling process.
Talk to Family and Friends
Talk to your family and friends about your plans for moving out as well as hiring a real estate agent. They can give you sound advice and maybe they can recommend some real estate agents they’ve worked within the past.
Have your finances ready, too, before hiring a real estate agent.