Your Real Estate Agent to the Rescue

Real estate agents have experience and knowledge that can make buying a home easier and help you avoid costly mistakes. They can help you with many aspects of the home buying process, including several you may not have thought of.

The following are just a few of the things our REALTORS® can help you with when you're looking at Mansfield homes for sale:

• Spotting problems you may not notice
  Real estate agents have looked at enough homes to be able to spot problems that you may not notice. For example, he or she may be able to see signs of insect issues, problems with the roof, or leaks in the home. These may be expensive problems to fix, and if your real estate agent notices them, you may end up saving a lot of money or avoiding a headache.
  
  
• Making sure the paperwork is in order
  If you've ever bought a home before, you know that at closing, you'll be signing and looking at seemingly endless pieces of paper. You may only deal with this paperwork a few times in your life, but luckily your agent is very familiar with all the documents that are required. He or she can help ensure that the contracts are in order without any mistakes or omissions and that you understand what you're signing. A paperwork error can be a costly mistake that your agent can help you avoid.
  
  
• Providing credit counseling
  Your credit history and score help determine whether you can apply for a mortgage loan and if so, the interest rate you'll pay. Your REALTOR can tell you how to check your credit history and score, what type of score is preferred, and how you can increase your numbers. For example, he or she will probably advise you to check your credit reports for errors, advise you on how to correct any mistakes, and caution you against making big purchases before the deal is finalized.
  
  
• Choosing an inspector
  A home inspection is an important step in the homebuying process. After you make an offer on a house that the seller accepts, you'll want a home inspector to examine the house to check for structural problems and other potential issues. Your real estate agent will have knowledge about the inspectors in your area and can recommend someone who does a thorough job of spotting any problems.
  
  
• Arranging repairs
  If repairs need to be made to the home you're looking to buy, your mortgage lender will probably require that the repairs be made before closing. Your real estate agent can recommend skilled, honest, and reliable tradespeople and help you gather bids and set up the repairs. He or she may also suggest that you have the cost of the repairs worked into your mortgage if possible.
  
  
• Referring you to a mortgage banker
  Real estate agents routinely refer home buyers to mortgage bankers who they know will provide good service. These bankers will want to take good care of buyers that are referred by agents so they'll keep getting referrals. Your REALTOR® can even help pinpoint a mortgage banker who frequently handles particular situations that may apply to you, such as first-time buyers or those who have credit issues.

Contact us to learn more about how our REALTORS® can help you navigate the home buying process. We look forward to putting our knowledge and experience to work for you!