In this market you need an agent that specializes in the area you want to buy in.
Slow Down and find a Realtor

Good Morning Nicole,

From what I can see you have been provided with lots of good advise and feedback on your question. I have been in the real estate and mortgage banking industry with over 20 years of experience and I have seen many cycle that the housing market has taken.

While I do understand your hesistancy in working directly with a realtor in your home search, given what the current market conditions are , you would be best served to find an agent with whom you can discuss your search requirements. In working with an agent that can not just listen to your search requirements but also one in whom you will feel comfortable to work with. Purchasing a home is a very important and personal matter and buyers and realtors need to have the ability to communicate.

Once you have found a realtor that you feel comfortable with, it will make your home search easier, as that agent can set up a search on the Multiple Listing Service and provide you with the properties that are currently available, and as new homes come on to the market, you will be one of the first to know about them, thereby giving you the most up to date information.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Lila Lopez
Tenzer Realty Inc.
(305)772-2521
http://homesbylila.sef.mlxchange.com

Hi Nicole,

One more note - I work with a company that helps people purchase foreclosure properties right after they have been taken back by the bank, but before they hit the market. This means you don't have to compete with lots of other offers to get a home at a good price.

Let me know if you want more details on this. Thanks again.

Diane Loveridge
Majestic Properties
(786) 210-3449
dloveridge@majesticproperties.com

Hello Nicole: How are you? Apart from your fruitless home search. Thier is a home out there for you! You need to work with one realtor and in this market one that is a distressed property specialist (CDPE). If you placed offers on properties that where in good condition and priced well (market value) most probably short sales, in this case if the complet package was not presented with your offer, reason for nothing happening. Give me a call and I will ask the rigth questions and submitt the proper papperwork. We will have an executed contract in no time.
Ian A. North
305 467 1881

Well, let's see. You wasted 18 months of your time. The good news is if you had bought a year ago your home would be worth 10% to 20% less. You can keep doing what you have been doing and get the same results you have been getting OR get a REALTOR, a mortgage broker, and buy a home!!!

Good Luck!

Nicole,

Considering a buyers agent is paid by the seller you are only making this more difficult for yourself. Take advantage of the FREE services provided by real estate agents for buyers.

What have you discovered for financing options? Right nopw the Jumbo mortgage rates are in the 4`s for 7 and 5 yr ARMS and 6 percent for a 30 yr fix.

Please let me knwo if I can be of any assistance!
Ryan Brandenburger
954-394-9005 http://www.bayburg.com

To avoid confusion, Janie and I are business partners and apparantly my computer wants to keep me logged on as Janie! Do not worry and try not to get frustrated, we will help to get you on the right track. All the best

Shelly

Hi Nicole,
I am confused as to why the deal can not get done, is it the offer or the financing?

Hi Nicole,

Are you making offers on Short Sales, bankowned, regular seller listed houses or all of the above? I ask because the difference is huge when making and presenting offers and there are so many factors that come into play.

You do not have to work with me, but I hate to see people missing out on their dream home.. I live and work in the Pinecrest area and can give you some advice if you wish to continue working on your own. Do not worry, there is the perfect house for everyone, it just takes a little time and patience.

Shelly

Owner/Broker

Dear Nicole,

The previous answer is correct - buyers agents can help in several ways.

First, if you are making an offer on bank-owned properties, there will likely be specific attachments in the MLS (the system that realtors use) that need to be included. If you don't include a particular form or you miss a detail, your offer may not be presented to the bank.

For properties that are not bank-owned, an agent can help sort out comparable sales so you can present an offer that makes sense for both the seller and buyer. There are definitely deals to be had out there, but other people know that too. In many areas in South Florida we have a rather competitive market. And I realize this is not your case, but sometimes "shoppers" without realtors are not actually ready to buy. Having an agent may help you be taken more seriously.

Is there some reason why you have not chosen a buyer's agent thus far? Realtor commissions are paid based on agreements that are already in place between the seller and listing agent, before any buyer or buyer agent comes along.

I would be more than happy to help you negotiate a deal on a new home. Please contact me at your convenience. Thank you very much.

Diane Loveridge
Majestic Properties
(786) 210-3449
dloveridge@majesticproperties.com

Hi Nicole,

Well it is definetely the time to buy and there are many properties on the market however when you are putting offers on these properties you like what are you basing your offer on? Are you getting comparables of homes sold in the area and adjusting the price based on upgrades? Are there other buyers also submitting offers on the same house? Is it a short-sale? Is it a foreclosure? How long has the seller had the house on the market?

The key to buyig a home and making it a good investment is being well informed and making sure you are backing up your offer with true numbers based on the market today. There are many factors that come into play and having answers to all the above questions help you get and close a good deal.


I am not saying that you MUST use a real estate agent but It can really make a big difference in your purchasing process. This is what we do for a living and our experience can save you, the buyer, lots of time, energy and money.


Hope I have helped you.

Nayla Benitez
EWM Realtors
786 853 2333

HI Nicole

Linda is right, it might be that working without an agent is hurting your chances in some way. Is there a reason that you have decided not to work with an agent? Some people think that may get a better deal or that an agent might not negotiate in your best interests.... Maybe this is why? If so, maybe finding an agent you feel comfortable with might be the solution. You could interview three agents and see how you mesh with them and select one. Working with an agent as a buyer does not cost you, as the buyer anything, but could help you negotiate your best deal and protect your interests in how the contract is written.

Also, agents might have access to more info on the property, the history and even the sellers that you might not have easy access to (and a rapport with the listing agent) which may help your process.

I definitely suggest seeing about finding an agent you feel comfortable with and working with them. They will be able to keep you 100% updated on the market and give you insight on properties and contracts that might be the difference b/w getting a home and not.

If there are any questions you might have, I'd be happy to chat with your further. I fully understand wanting to look on your own, but an agent really can help the process along without a cost to you.

With kind regards

Janie

You said it yourself, get an agent.

Dear Nicole,

If the homes you are putting offers on are short sale or foreclosure and you are doing so without an agent or attorney, that could be the problem.

Lenders are extremely picky about the submitted files being complete in order to move through the process without a hitch. The problem is that most people, including some agents, do not understand what is required to have a completed file.

The reason why they are so picky is that they are absolutely inundated with offers and do not have enough people to process these offers. Therefore, the files that have all "i's" dotted and "t's" crossed get top priorty.

If you need someone experienced in these types of sales, I would be happy to recommend someone to you.

Just drop me an email and I will supply you with full information to go forward.

Hope this helps.

Linda S. Cefalu, Remax Realty 100
Realtor, ABR, SRES, CDPE
Recipient of Five Star Agent Award in
2008& 2009 as seen in Milwaukee Magazine
Best in Client Care and Satisfaction
BNI member in good standing