Whether you’re moving across the city or across the country, moving is no easy task. It’s a series of big decisions that can go really right or really wrong. This is why it’s crucial to have a great real estate agent in Richmond to ensure that this journey goes smoothly. You want someone you trust, has the pulse on the current, local market, and will guide you through every step of the process with clarity and honesty. Here are some ways that a local real estate agent can help you find success as you search for your new dream home.
Beyond Online Platforms
I love Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com as much as the next person. I look to see what houses in my neighborhood are for sale, what the list prices are, and even to see what the house I grew up in 40+ years ago looks like (and how much it’s worth now). While this is a good place to start house hunting, it definitely isn’t the best way to find your perfect house. While it’s convenient to look at the house and view the pictures of the inside, you don’t always get ALL of the information. First of all, what’s the neighborhood like and are there train tracks, vacant houses, or other things that could hinder your desire to live there? Secondly, if you’ve been on social media for ten seconds or more, then you know that a picture may be worth a thousand words but those words don’t have to speak the truth. What may look like a beautiful home online could be snapshots from ten years ago. Or the angle of the picture may look like a sweeping entryway when in reality you’d have to stand sideways to get through the door. Okay, so I may be exaggerating a little, but when I was house hunting a few years ago, I definitely was misled by what I saw posted!
Customized Wishlist
A real estate agent in Richmond will discuss with you your wants and needs and things you definitely won’t consider. Maybe you’d rather have a large backyard which means that you’d have to forfeit a newer neighborhood for an older one. Or maybe you’d rather have a picture window with sweeping views which means that a condo would suit your needs better than a single family home. A Realtor® will evaluate your wishlist, give you a reality check, and may bring up ideas that you haven’t considered before so that you can make the best decisions for you.
Guide Through the Legal and Bargaining Process
When my husband and I purchased our home two years ago, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. All of these terms and requirements came up and I had no idea what to do or what many of the words meant. It’s been said that the average person lives in their home around 13 years. I can’t remember what I had for dinner two nights ago, much less what it was like when we bought our first home 20 years ago. Having a great real estate agent in Richmond who you trust is invaluable as you go through this process. If you own your current home they’ll tell you how to fix it up to get the biggest bang for your buck and what ducks you need to get in a row to sell it. As a buyer, your agent will guide you through gathering paperwork, why you should get pre-approved for a loan, reveal to you the pros and cons of each home that you tour, and how to make a viable offer with terms such as contingencies, title insurance, rent backs, and more. Over the past few years it has been a competitive seller’s market, so the right agent is a must to get your offer considered!
Insider Information
And let’s go back to touring homes and the pros and cons of each home you visit. When we were searching for a home, I would fall in love immediately with how a home looked and felt without really looking at the details. How old is the roof and how many years are left in it? With an older home, did we have room in our budget for the mortgage plus the renovations to make it our dream home? But with a brand new home, how much would the landscaping cost and tell me again about mello roos? There’s a lot to consider and a great real estate agent in Richmond will tell you what you need to hear to help you make a sound decision.
Professional Partnerships
There are some online platforms that offer real estate agent help, but local agents are truly the best choice. A real estate agent in Richmond who has been in business for a while in the Bay Area or who lives locally will have professional partnerships that are vital in a real estate transaction. For example, you’ll need a home inspector to check for any hidden potential costs in the home. Next you’ll need a title company to review the title to see if there are any liens or legal issues that could affect your pocketbook later on. You’ll likely need an awesome lender who can get you a competitive mortgage rate and share if there are any incentives that could benefit you. Once you purchase the home, you’ll need homeowners insurance and possibly painters, landscapers, movers, and other professionals to make the house uniquely your own. A top real estate agent in Richmond will have all of these contacts to avoid bad interactions and create a great moving experience.
If you’re looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and dedicated real estate agent in Richmond, CA, look no further than the Rick Fuller Team! We live in the area and we have partnerships with some of the best insurance companies, title companies, lenders, landscapers, junk removers, and more in the area. Moreover, we always put you first and strive to give you an experience you’d be excited to tell a friend about. Contact the Rick Fuller Team today at (888) 950-RICK. We’re excited to serve you!
