How to Select a Buyers Representative REALTOR in Ann Arbor, Michigan

February 9th, 2009 admin Posted in Ann Arbor Real Estate, Buyer Information | No Comments »

Finding a REALTOR who offers the right fit to represent your home sale in Ann Arbor can be difficult. Below you’ll find some pertinent questions to ask yourself that will help you determine whether or not you’ve found the right Ann Arbor real estate agent to be your Buyers Representative.

Interview some agents by asking your co workers or neighbors for recommendations. Investigate on the internet by looking at web sites and evaluate response times.

At the interview, does she review and have the required Michigan agency disclosure signed? The buyer’s agent owes legal duties to the person he/she represents. Does she discuss the buyer agency commitment and time frame? Is she/he a full time agent?

Uncover the agent’s honesty. Is she going to help you objectively look at the house compared to others to determine value?

What happens to you if the REALTOR is sick or on vacation? Who covers the agents business? Do you feel handed off or are you working with a fellow team member?

Buyers Representatives in Michigan get paid a percentage of fee or usually one half of the fee that the listing agent gets paid, so a buyer’s representative is free to the buyer.

Talk about communication; discuss your needs and time frames. Does the agent work from 8 am to 8 pm? Does the agent have a day off? How do you want to be communicated with? What are your expectations? Do you prefer email?

Ask for references and or watch video testimonials. You are interviewing someone to work for you. What special designations or training does she or he have?

Ask what the strategy is for buying? What is the process for buying your Ann Arbor area home? What is the time frame?

Ask how inspections are arranged and how are issues to be handled? What are some examples of negotiating that may come up in the local area? First time home buyers may need more guidance.

Will she provide you with an industry resource list or preferred vendor list that will be helpful in home buying like reputable lenders, painters, electricians, radon experts.

Check online for licensing status. The name must be an exact match, i.e. Kathleen Toth may be the legal name for licensing vs. Kathy Toth.

Will you be looking at houses in the multiple listing service and for sale by owners, by builders and upcoming homes that will be on the market? How is commission handled?

Does your agent get a title insurance pre commitment before writing an offer so you can see what potential title policy issues are on the property? Examples are divorce, or disputed easements, lis pendens, IRS liens, or judgments.

Does your agent get a clue report Ann Arbor Insurance Policies before you write an offer to determine if there have been previous home owners insurance claims on the property? Is the property in a flood zone requiring extra insurance cost?

Do you feel comfortable with your agent in helping you minimize risk and to coordinate this large investment through to a successful closing?

Kathty Toth and Team clients will tell you that “there is no comparison” – when it comes to Ann Arbor Real Estate you’ll want Kathy’s Team in your court!