The Value of a Buyer's Agent

The value of a Buyer's Agent

Buyer Myth #1:

"If I call the Realtor off the sign, he has more information about the property and will be able to negotiate a better price for me."

The truth:

"That simply isn't true. First of all, any adverse conditions about the property are REQUIRED to be disclosed by the Seller upfront. Then you can have inspections to tell you what the seller didn't know. As for other information, ALL Realtors have tools and resources at their disposal to obtain additional information. A Realtor who is representing you should use these tools to put you in a good bargaining position. If you are talking about a seller's motivation, Realtors are required NOT to disclose motivation without a sellers written permission, which means the Realtor representing you could just as easily obtain that information... if not moreso, because your expert will know the right types of questions to ask to determine the sellers LEVEL of motivation. Which takes us to a 'better price'... No, as a matter of fact, you will obtain the best deal by using the best negotiator. Take into consideration, the listing Realtor is representing the Seller and will have an obligation at the very least to be 'fair' to both you and the seller. On the other other hand, by utilizing a Realtor that specifically represents you and your interests, you are allowing for a more assertive negotiation on your behalf."

- There is no better motivation than doing the right thing. That doesn't always result in a commission check , but the Karma is priceless. I am a Real Estate geek and I would have to say that one of my favorite aspects of being a Realtor is negotiating. I get pumped up about it and just love it! When I negotiate for my clients, I am often underestimated, which plays to our advantage. It's almost like a David & Goliath scene. The other side ends up scratching their head and saying "What happened?". No wonder car salesmen don't like me! It's a gift.


Natalie Flaming
Realtor - Broker Associate
405.412.5452
The VIP Team
Metro First Realty

www.TheVIPofOKC.com

Serving Buyers and Sellers of Oklahoma City, Edmond, Bethany, and Warr Acres for over 10 years.

The scoop on Short Sales

Sometimes a homeowner may need to sell their home because they are relocating, their financial status has changed and they can no longer afford their home, or for other various reasons. Short sales can be an alternative to foreclosure. In the case of a short sale, the seller is allowed to sell the home for less than they owe on it because the bank has agreed to take a certain loss on their loan. The stipulation; however, is that the bank has final say on the terms of the sale. So, when a buyer makes an offer to purchase, not only will the seller have to accept the offer but the bank will as well. In these economic times, many banks are not prepared to handle them. Sure short sales have been around for a long time, but these days there are unprecidented amounts of owners seeking this remedy. The average time it can take just to get a bank to accept an offer for purchase ranges from 3 to 6 months, and sometimes even longer. Then, of course, a buyer will still need to go through the process of inspections, any repair requests, etc. Any changes to the contract that affect the bottom line will then also need to be approved by the bank. It can be a very long and difficult process. For those who are willing to wait it out, most times it can result in a staisfying investment. Whether buying or selling, navigating through a successful short sale is no easy task. This is definately a scenario in which you need an experienced Realtor capable of handling all of the paperwork and communication to get the job done. If you are considering a short sale, send us an email or give us a call. We'll be happy to walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

The VIP Team
Natalie Flaming
Realtor - Broker Associate
Metro First Realty
405.412.5452
www.TheVIPofOKC.com