When buying a home, it’s essential to have a plan. An excellent real estate agent will provide you with a buyer checklist to help you stay organized and on track. Here are 5 must-have checklists for real estate buyers:
Real Estate Buyer Agent Checklists
Mortgage Pre-approval
A significant number of home buyers seem excited with the thought of owning a new property, making them prone to stress as they become aware of the hoops they’ll have to take to be eligible for a loan. Their call to their mortgage broker upsets their mood if they realize that they have to fill out an application for a mortgage.
Utilizing our Mortgage Preapproval Checklist and our Mortgage Pre-Approval Spreadsheet, we’re capable of keeping track of the many tasks that need to be completed for the pre-approval process.
Mortgage Pre-approval Checklist
There is no standard list of documents required to get a pre-approval from a mortgage provider—every lender will have something different they need.
Please work with your client’s lender to ensure they collect everything they could need beforehand. Customizing this list will prevent mistakes.
Choose a consistent method for speaking to your clients: In an ever-changing environment, knowing how to approach your clients according to their personal preferences is a surefire way to strengthen your relationship.
Partner with a local institution to create a co-branded checklist to offer mutual benefits in your referral arrangement.
You can suggest an excellent lending institution to your clients, and your partner lender can share the list with their customers and recommend your partner as an intercontinental real estate professional.
Successful House-hunting
The most challenging real estate buyers are those who have a propensity to fall victim to the “shiny object syndrome.” They’re enraptured by the homes outside of their price range, which do not meet their needs, or homes in unfamiliar locations.
These buyers, however, still have to look at the homes because there is something that led to them at first glance. When you’re looking for a new place to call home, it’s essential to have a plan.
By using the first half of this Successful House-hunting Checklist, you and your clients can establish a baseline for the home they’re looking for, and it will help guide them on the must-haves they need to find the right place.
Remember, everyone’s needs are different, so make sure to customize this checklist accordingly.
Some key things to keep in mind when creating your checklist:
Location: Where is the property located? How does it compare to what your clients are looking for?
Size: How big is the property? Is it too large or too small?
Layout: Does the design of the property work for your client’s needs?
Amenities: What amenities are included with the property?
Open House Attendance
Buyers who have signed exclusive buyer representation agreements with agents should not feel precluded from attending open houses independently. There is no reason buyers can’t view properties they’re interested in while still working with their agent.
Many agents encourage their clients to attend open houses as a way to learn more about the market and see what’s available. Open houses can also be an excellent opportunity for buyers to know their agents better and see how they work.
Writing a Successful Offer
As a buyer, it’s important to remember that you’re not obligated to work with a buyer’s agent – and that working with one doesn’t preclude you from attending open houses independently. Viewing properties on your own is a great way to get a sense of what’s out there and identify the homes you’re most interested in.
Keep in mind, though, that if you do find a property you want to make an offer on, your agent will need access to the MLS listing to submit it. So be sure to keep them in the loop as you go through the house-hunting process.
In conclusion, having a real estate buyer agent checklist is an absolute must for both first-time and experienced home buyers. By having a list of items to keep in mind, you can stay organized and make the buying process as smooth as possible.
Be sure to consult with your agent to see specific to your market and needs. And lastly, enjoy the home buying process – it’s one of the most significant milestones in life!
