Working With An Agent

Once you have decided what it is that you want in a new home, it's time to interview agents.  Shop around for an agent.  You want someone with whom you feel comfortable, who is knowledgeable about the market, and who will look out for your best interests.  Generally the best people to ask are your friends, neighbors, and family.  Have them refer you to someone.

Remember your list from Plan Before You Look?  Now is the time to break it out.  The agent will want to know what you want in a house to help scale down the selection.  Your agent may have you meet them at their office, at your house, or they may even send you an email with a link to the houses that fall within your criteria.   This will be the time where you and your agent will decide on which houses to go see.  Although this is exciting, remember patience.  Purchasing a house is a big investment and you don't want to run into the first house you see and put an offer on it.  Shop and compare the prices and amenities of the houses.  Be sure to take notes in your notebook of each house that you like and never go by the pictures on the listing.  You may end up passing up a gem because the listing agent didn't take a good picture.  Agents are not photographers, but we try!

Always contact your agent for the homes you wish to see.  If you see a For Sale sign in a yard, write down the address, phone number, and the realty company if it isn't for sale by owner.  Your agent will be able to answer most questions that you have on the homes.  She/he will not be able to tell you anything that deals with law, or cracks in the foundation.  This is because they are not licensed in that field; however, can refer you to people that can help you with those questions.  If you wish to know the property taxes, flood zone, if the house has gas, electric, etc. they will be able to tell you these types of things.  In the state of Louisiana the seller must disclose anything they know about the house.  Lead paint, flooding, septic, water, improvements on the home, age of the AC and the water heater units, and age of the roof.  These types of things the agent will have access to.

After showing you several ouses, your agent will begin to get a feel for things that you want that you yourself may not even realize.  This will help to scale down the list of possibilities and put you in the home that fits you.  Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and enjoy looking at all the possibilities!