If you have been involved in the home buying or selling process either before, during or after the pandemic, I’ll wager that you have sent a few prayers to a higher being, at some point, possibly begging that your offer gets accepted, or that you sell your house at a crazy profit! Maybe you even followed the age-old tradition of burying a St. Joseph’s statue, upside down near the For Sale sign, near and facing the road or near the back of the house, indicating that you are ready to leave the property! Seems kind of silly right? Well, some clients will certainly say it worked for them!

Regardless of your beliefs, there are certainly strategies that will prepare the home buyer or seller, and better position them to have a strong offer going in or sell their home at a greater profit. Prices aren’t going down anytime soon, and real estate is still one of the best long-term investments you can make. For many, it will be the largest purchase they will make in their lifetime. Although, with the price of vehicles on the rise, some will pay more for their next SUV than they paid for their first home. Myself included!

Let’s look at the preparation involved in finding your first home, or maybe a vacation or retirement home. Believe it or not, it’s not just as simple as clicking that button on Zillow or Realtor.com and telling that buyer’s agent on the other end that you want to look at a home. There are several things you can, and should, do first, that will greatly increase your chances of getting an appointment to view the home, and putting in an offer if you decide this your dream home!

Step #1 - Find an agent first! Whether you are buying or selling, a licensed real estate agent is the best ally you can have. On average, homes listed with an agent sell for more, than if they were listed by the homeowner themselves, thus netting the seller more, even after deducted commission. As a home buyer, a buyer’s agent has a fiduciary duty to you, not the seller, and will negotiate through all the steps necessary from offer to closing, putting your best interest first and foremost! How do you find an agent to represent you? Referrals account for the majority of any good agent’s business. Ask your friends and family who they have used in the past, or who they might know and trust. Do some online research, Google them, check their social media, agency websites etc., and see who they are and what they do. Your Realtor will become your friend, and probably the only one you can get in touch with after hours and on weekends when you have questions! So, you need to like them, trust them, and have access to them! Step #2 - If you are selling your home, talk to your agent about how to get your home ready to list. He or she will give you advice on cleaning, decluttering, where your money may or may not be best spent to get the home ready, what critical documents you will need to get the home on the market, and so much more! Take advantage of all that free advice! It will reward you in the end. Step #3 - Here we go … back to religion again … Gollow

The Ten Commandments of Buying a Home:

I. Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job.

II. Thou shalt not buy a car, truck, or van (or you may be living in it!).

III. Thou shalt not use credit cards excessively or let current accounts fall behind.

IV. Thou shalt not spend money you have set aside for closing.

V. Thou shalt not omit debts or liabilities from your loan application.

VI. Thou shalt not buy furniture on credit.

VII. Thou shalt not originate any inquiries into your credit.

VIII. Thou shalt not make large deposits without checking with your loan officer.

IX. Thou shalt not change bank accounts.

X. Thou shalt not co-sign a loan for anyone.

The next few columns will be dedicated to helping buyers and sellers understand the value working with an agent, identifying the players and language associated with preparing to buy or sell your home. Stay tuned!

Natalie Roth is a Licensed Real Estate Broker for Benn Realty.