Samuel Hilbert

M -

Alot of good advice on here. A couple things to really take into consideration...don't lose your relocation benefits! Yes...it will likely continue to be a great time to buy for several months though with interest rates possibly continuing to go up this could be the best time to buy. It is impossible to predict when is the "best" time to buy...but I can say that right now is a good time to buy.

The other factor is how familiar you are with this area. If you know the area already then it may be OK to buy right now...however, with Real Estate being a long term investment...you want to make sure that when you do buy it is where you want. As some people suggested, maybe a short term rental is smart while you get to know the area. Then you can purchase before your relocation benefits run out. With your budget you can find some nice townhomes and homes in the area if you are willing to spend some time looking.

Just don't make any quick decisions...take your time in the purchase process. Even if you are going to rent for a while contact a Realtor and lender today so that you can begin your home search and be ready to purchase when the timing is finally right.

Good luck on the relocation! - Thu Jul 24 2008, 14:45

Dan -

Wow...I think the key from everyone's responses are to look for referrals! As agents, this is often how we build our business...through happy clients. Successful agents receive the majority of their business through referrals and can minimize actual prospecting. Each of us agents can tell you we have our best interests in mind...but really, how can you know unless you talk to someone that has been represented by us who saw that we mean what we say.

As has also been mentioned, interview a few different agents. You should be able to find a few viable candidates...often it comes down also to a personality match...someone you feel comfortable with and confident in.

One last thing to keep in mind is where and what you are purchasing...if you are looking into townhomes or condos find an agent who tends to focus on this type of housing. If it is a million dollar home...find an agent who knows how to better handle high end properties. Different agents have different strong and weak points.

Most importantly, during your interview with your agent...don't be afraid to ask the tough questions. Have them justify their answers and give you truly good reasons why you should use them. This may make them squirm but a good agent knows exactly why you should choose them.

Good luck! - Mon Jun 16 2008, 10:12

I love Loberg Roofing though I haven't used them for a while.

www.lobergroofing.com - Mon Jun 16 2008, 10:02

Contact a few different Realtors and ask them if they are willing to discount their services. You may find more people open to the idea than advertise it. I myself am willing to offer rebates at times depending on the transaction and what you as a buyer expect from me.

Sometimes, buyers with smaller independent brokerages have a little more flexibility on what they can offer. You are likely to get several responses about the benefits of using discount and full service agents even though you said you didn't want that to come up. I don't want to get involved in that discussion except to say to you to make sure that both you and your agent have a clear understanding of what their duties will be based on the discount and circumstances.

Contact a few agents and inform them you are looking for a discount and see what their response will be. Obviously I would love to be in that pool of agents depending on your circumstances. Good luck on your home purchase...just remember if you do use a rebate model to make sure that everyone has the right expectations as to level of service. Going with a rebate can at times come back to hurt the buyer when it comes to levels of service...just be careful and you should be fine.

Ok, start the thumbs downs on me now. - Fri Jun 13 2008, 14:24

This really depends on how well you are priced compared to you competition. Even an extremely well priced home isn't likely to sell in two weeks in today's market. What type of feedback are you getting so far? The first two weeks is a great chance to get feedback from potential buyers and other agents as to how well your home shows and how it is priced in the current market. Your agent should be getting feedback from all people who have seen the home and should be able to pass this on to you.

You do have to be aggressive when pricing your home in today's market so I am happy to see that you seem to understand that. Unfortunately, without knowing your specific neighborhood and the exact circumstances I can't get the perfect advice.

Two weeks is not too soon if your price needs adjusted. Rely heavily on your agent to stay on top of the current market conditions and get you feedback. Your agent should know what it will take to sell your home. Trust them. - Fri Jun 6 2008, 11:44