Bryan R. Lovell

One option for your agent is to review past listings. It is possible that there may be a home that fits what you want, but due to a slower market, the seller decided to hold onto the property untill the market improves.

Also be aware that when you are looking for a specific property like you are it is likely you will have to pay a little more to get it, especially if it is not listed.

I hope this has helped in some way.

Best Wishes,
Bryan Lovell - Yesterday, 06:46

By your description of benefits I anticipate you are referring to a benefits package that Microsoft has to offer to those they hired from out of area. I may be wrong on that but if that really is the case then I would highly recommend you buy sooner than later. Our market is a buyer’s market. There are great deals to be had, especially with the summer half way over. I am curious though, why are you considering renting first? Are there financial reasons?

The other thing to consider is the interest rate. There is no one out there that has a crystal ball but the anticipation is they are only going to go up over the unforeseen future. Getting a rate around 6.5% may end up being 7.0% or even 7.5% in 6 months to a year. If that is the case then your monthly expense for a 300000.00 home could be another 100 dollars or more a month.

Unless you have other personal reasons for needing to rent first, I would highly recommend you consider buying sooner than later.

I hope this information has helped. - Thu Jul 24 2008, 00:16

Here are a few things to consider when working with an agent to find a property...

1 - Is your agent actively sending you more listings? It is possible that she is sending you the wrong type of homes. If your agent is not sending homes to you at least a few times a week then this is a red flag.

2 - Do you know what you can afford? Has your agent sat down with you and talked with you about financing? If not you may be wasting time looking.

3 - Are you aware of just how much you are going to need to get into your new home? Often times there are steps that are not discussed up front. Then when you least expect it you have to pull $400 dollars from your pocket to some expense.

For example, do you know how much an inspection is going to cost you? Are you even aware of the need for an inspection? If you are not informed better of the process then this could cause a lot of unnecessary stress. Knowledge is critical. Another example, have you been informed about an earnest money deposit? Do you know how much you plan to put down? If you are answering “no” to these questions then you are not being informed of the process…another red flag.

4 - Are you seeing homes that are along the lines of what you are looking for? If not then it is possible your agent really does not know what you are hoping to find. This too would be a red flag.

A buyers agent really does need to be on the top of things. They are your representative in this purchase which will affect you for years to come. If you feel you want to make a change, then you should seriously consider it. If you are not getting an update of homes every couple days then ask yourself, is this someone who really will be able to negotiate a transaction? Will they really stay on top of the process? Will they keep you informed? Your agent is your representative and should keep you informed. I do agree you should raise your concerns with your agent first. See what they say before you make any final decision.

If you then are still wanting to make a switch, then seriously consider it.

I hope this has helped,
Best Wishes,
Bryan Lovell - Wed Jul 2 2008, 00:03

Make the home stand out! It has to not only look good but the best you possibly can make it. Clean, de-cluttered, inviting, and ready to move in.

Unfortunately PRICE is what will bring the showings in. I would suggest you get a second and third price opinion from another professional just to see what they come in with. Make sure they know you want it to sell sooner then later. Time will cost you money with no doubt. It is also possible that placing it lower then the rest MAY spur multiple offers. Which brings us back to making sure you look the best you possibly can.

Curb appeal is foremost, then a clean interior with little or NO blemishes (if that is possible). You may also consider having an inspector come and inspect the home. Fix all the problems they come across. This will minimize and save you money for repairs & credits once an inspection comes along.

I hope this has helped in some way.

Best Wishes,
Bryan Lovell - Fri Jun 27 2008, 10:27

The best way would be to consult with an attorney. Basically you would all be placed on title for the property. The attorney would draft the papers for the actual agreement of how much share each person is entitled. The attorney would also bring up other legal issues and make certain they are all addressed. For example, what happens if one person wants to sell and the other owners do not?

You can do it verbally as well but when it deals with real estate, I always encourage documentation to back the agreement up. That way there is no room for misunderstandings of which could cause unwanted turmoil whenever you decide to sell in the future.

Recommendation, consult with and have an attorney draft it up. - Fri Jun 20 2008, 14:53