Buyer Tips

Choosing your real estate professional is, perhaps, the most important decision you will make when buying property. I believe the more you look around, the more you will see the value of working with me. I am available, interested in helping you and hard working.  I can even help you unload the truck when you move. I work with buyers until they have found the perfect house, nighttime, weekends etc.

Choose an Accredited Buyer's Representive, ABR.  I am a buyers representative with Accredidation from the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council and am prepared to represent you and not the seller.  Did you know that the seller pays the commission that compensates your Realtor?  Buyers can get my professional representation for FREE. Who do you think the Realtor works for, the buyer that pays nothing, or the Seller that pays 6% or $18,000 on a $300,000 home?  Interested yet?.. If you think the Realtor that drives you to see homes is representing you, think again.  Without a buyer broker agreement and a buyers agency addendum in writing you are not represented by anyone.  I believe the best move a buyer can make is to ask their Realtor to sign an buyer broker agreement to represent your best interests before you start looking.  Many Realtors will not sign one because the liability is too great.  I will be your exclusive Buyers Representative and act only in Your best interest when helping you choose, negotiate for, and close on a home.

Like to use the Agent whose sign is in the yard? Think it will save you money?  Not likely, ever need to sue someone and want to use their lawyer?  Call me, your buyers Representative, to represent you in negotiations with the sellers agent.  It is your right to have your own representation.  I can, and have, saved my clients thousands of dollars.

Become a Client not a customer.  Clients are protected Buyers with Representation in writing protecting their interests.  Buyers Agents have a Fiduciary Responsibility to their clients.  Customers are buyers we drive around.  No protection, no fiduciary responsibility, no contract, no representation.  Call me, I'll make you a client and protect your interests.

However, no matter whom you choose, these simple tips will help you find and purchase the home of your dreams more quickly and efficiently. Don't be too concerned about all the negotiations and inspections because, although very important, I take care of everything for you.  I am a savy negotiator and know all the ins and out of home buying or selling.  If you're a first-time buyer you can find more information here.

Before you shop: Be a smart consumer.  Learn the financing basics.  Decide wheather to use a bank or mortgage broker.  Mortgage brokers are middlemen between you and the bank and now make up nearly 66% of all mortgage loans.  They are useful in that they can offer loans that may not be available at your local bank like first time buyer programs, low or no down payment loans for police, firefighters and teachers.  It is important to understand that mortgage brokers don't work for free and you, directly or indirectly, will pay every penny of their compensation.  One way they get paid is the "Yield spread premium" or points.  One point is equal to 1% of the loan amount. You may also be charged a higher interest rate to compensate a mortgage brokers commission.  Mortgage brokers essentially get a loan commitment from a bank then mark it up to compensate themselves.  While working with a mortgage broker is not bad you may not need to use one to find a good rate.   The bottom line is shop around.   I have been a Mortgage Loan officer with ALTA financial and I can answer any questions you may have.  If you would like to use my banking services just ask and I will get you pre qualified. If you select a mortgage broker go online to www.bbb.org to check for better business bureau complaints.  A great site offering mortgage information is www.mtgprofessor.com

Get pre-approved.  This takes very little time and lets you know the price range that fits your lifestyle. Pre-approval letters from your bank are valuable when making an offer on a home.  It lets the seller know you are serious and you have the financial ability to follow through with the purchase.

Know what you want.  Ask yourself what you're looking for in a home, before you shop. Think about size, commute time and necessary repairs.

Keep your debt load to a minimum.  Don't make major purchases or incur any additional debt until after your purchase. Pay down credit cards and don't apply for new ones. Remember, financial institutions evaluate your financial situation on your gross monthly income. Your total monthly house costs should not exceed 28 percent of your gross monthly income. A good rule of thumb is do not charge anything between the time you are prequalified and the time your loan is closed.

Be prepared to view new properties quickly.   Sometimes homes sell quickly, so be ready to make fast decisions. Be accessible to change the terms.  

You have instant access to me via cell phone.   Instant communication can mean the difference in purchasing the property of your choice.

Before you buy:  I will help you,

Submit a  competitive offer that meets your needs, not theirs. 
Include a  earnest money deposit.   Sometimes offers are accepted based on the amount of the deposit. 1% is a good deposit amount. 

Try to minimize the number of contingencies.   Fewer contingencies mean a stronger offer.  Do you need to sell your home first.  No problem, I can include that in the offer so you can sell your current home and no one will buy the one you want out from under you in the meantime.

Hire an inspector.   A professional building inspector or appraiser will make sure the house of your choice is in satisfactory condition.  I will coordinate the inspections and negotiate the seller paying for repairs.  Remember the home inspection is not intended to be a repair list for the Seller but a check to be sure your home is in the condition you expect it to be in without serious defects.

Check zoning regulations and covenants.   Good residential neighborhoods will be zoned to keep out commercial and industrial users. Read any restrictive covenants and make sure they fit your lifestyle.  Many neighborhoods in Las Cruces have covenants that prohibit RV's etc.

Request an updated property survey.  I will ensure it clearly marks boundaries, and will check for problems, easements and setbacks.

Make sure you know what stays or goes.
Your contract will be very specific about which items (appliances, etc) are included in the sale. Refrigerators and washers and dryers are never automatically included with a home. I will attempt to negotiate the most items for you to keep with the home including the refrigerator. In addition to lower prices overall, here are some things I have negotiated out of a seller for my clients: refrigerators, weight training equipment, tread mills, plasma TV's, Driveway sealing, garage sealing, extra custom cabinets, free rent, extra custom lighting, landscaping allowances, central vacuum systems, kitchen bar stools, free tile work and the list goes on and on.  I work to get you into the best home possible with the best terms, in the least amount of time with the fewest problems.  Not all licensee's are Realtors and not all Realtors are the same.  If you want someone to just write an offer for you, call any licensee.  If you want an educated, experienced negotiator and Broker working on your behalf, call me.

Get agreements in writing.   Make certain verbal agreements are written into the final contract to avoid any stressful and expensive issues later. If It isn't in the offer and in writing, it isn't going to happen.  I make sure what you want happens when you want it to.

Call: 575-496-0141