As a seasoned buyer’s agent, here is some of the most important advice and information buyers should know when it comes to purchasing a home and working with an agent:

One of my biggest pieces advice to all buyers is to determine your budget and stick to it! Evaluate what you can comfortably afford each month on a mortgage, then when talking with your REALTOR be sure to mention this so they can best guide you. Being house poor is never fun and can lead to a lot of stress, so affordability is key!

1. Working with a buyer’s agent is typically free! You may believe you’re saving money by not using an agent, however, by representing yourself or having the listing agent facilitate a deal on your behalf, you may lose thousands of dollars.
   • A seasoned buyer’s agent has the negotiating skills, market knowledge, and experience you need to represent you and your best interests during a transaction and will work to get you the best deal on the property you’re interested in.
2. In addition, it’s beneficial to work a buyer’s agent because they can save you time and energy. As a buyer’s agent, I not only set you up on a MLS (Multiple Listing Service) email listing search so you receive properties within your criteria as soon as they hit the market, but I also scour the active housing inventory to find properties you may be interested in, work to find deals on properties that may be overpriced and so on, so you do not have to waste time browsing sites like Zillow.com for endless hours!
3. A buyer’s agent can be a crucial component in identifying the right home for you. As real estate professionals, we know the questions to ask, what to look out for (age of mechanics, structural issues, and so forth) that as a buyer you may not know to ask or think to ask. I tell my clients feel free to look at the pretty stuff (nice shiny kitchens, etc), while I look at the ugly stuff (aka basements and all the major systems). I’ll be looking to see the condition of these items to the best of my knowledge and make note of them to you as we tour the property so you are aware of potential items before it even comes inspection time. Better to know as much upfront as possible so you can make the best decision on whether you want to move ahead on a property. I’m not a licensed home inspector, however, after touring thousands of homes, I have a deep working knowledge of the inside and outs of homes and their components. (:
4. In addition to the above, here are other benefits of a buyer’s agent and tasks they will perform on your behalf that are highly important to a smooth and stress-free transaction:
   • I will coordinate all appointments on your behalf (Showings, Inspections, Final Walkthrough and Closing!)
   • I will take care of all necessary paperwork- drafting, reviewing with you, obtaining signatures and getting the documentation to the correct parties
   • I am a local market expert- As a native Rhode Islander, I know the communities and areas in Rhode Island and surrounding Southeastern MA like the back of my hand. Using my deep local knowledge I’m able to provide insight to my buyer clients on areas that may be of interest, what the community offers, and area amenities.
   • Don’t have a home inspector, lender, insurance agent or attorney in mind for your transaction?No problem! I have a trusted network of professionals that are my tried and true that my buyer clients rave about that I’d be happy to share with you as a buyer.
5. And above all, it’s vital to work with a REALTOR that you trust, feel comfortable with and jive with overall as they’ll be your friend in the process, the one representing your best interests and the one guiding you. As a buyer’s agent, I treat my clients how I’d want to be treated, always. I’m patient, thoughtful, tenacious in finding ways to save you money during your transaction and always looking for ways to celebrate and stay positive throughout the buying process. Buying should be exciting, not stressful and I work diligently to make sure that’s the case for all my buyers.

Interested in working with me as your buyer’s agent? I’d love to help! Click here to set up a complimentary buyer consultation