Buying Tips

Buyers:
Don't depend on blind luck to find your new home. Make this very important decision with confidence - choose a professional Realtor. Work with an agent that you feel comfortable with, and with whom you have developed some amount of rapport with. This will help the overall home buying process and will establish not only a transaction, but a relationship which will allow you to have a source of real estate information and transactions for years to come.

Allow your agent to guide you in the most efficient way to meet your real estate needs. Whether it be pre-qualifying or making sure you are looking at homes in your price range, your agent will have your best interest in mind. You are ultimately responsible for your decision. Your agent has your best interest in mind, but the decisions are yours. Make sure you ask your agent any questions you have. Call your Poudre Property Services Real Estate Sales Associate and we will help you get started locating your new home.

Once you know how much you can and want to invest, the next step is to find the properties that most nearly fit your needs. This is the time to choose a real estate licensee. When picking a real estate agent look for one who is also a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, a real estate trade association, and all members agree to abide by a 17 article Code of Ethics. A REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in that search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc.

There are two things you'll want to know:

First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment?

Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

With a negotiated agreement in hand, it is time to complete the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your agent can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your agent, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date. This process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms, and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.