The First Meeting with Your Real Estate Agent

Last Updated on July 29, 2014 by Kathy Rukat Smith

“The First Meeting with Your Real Estate Agent” is a continuation of a series, the Overview of Buying a Home. You may want to read “Buying a Home – Finding a Real Estate Agent” and “Buying a Home – Getting Pre-Approved for a Loan“. Today, we are going to talk about the first meeting with your real estate agent.

 

The First Meeting with Your Real Estate Agent – Questions Asked

During the first meeting with your real estate agent, you will be asked many questions so the agent can whittle down your wants and your needs in a home. You will be asked basic needs in a home…

• How many bedrooms do you need?
• How many bathrooms do you need?
• Do you prefer a one-story or two-story home?
• Do you want/need a garage? What size?
• Do you need a yard? Should this yard be fenced or have the ability to be fenced?
• Where do you want to live (neighborhood, city)?
• Is the school district a priority?

Then, your agent will ask more probing questions. After all, this purchase is not just a house but will become your home.

• What is your lifestyle?
  • Do you want to have a low maintenance home?
  • Are you looking to be close to the beach, Intracoastal Waterway, river or some other local attraction?
  • Do you want a smaller yard so you do not have to spend all weekend doing yard work?
  • Do you want a larger yard for entertaining, children or pets?
• How do you see yourself living in this home?
• What aspects of the home are most important to you? If you love cooking, the kitchen may be your focal point. If you entertain, having a good flow from the kitchen to the living room/dining room and to the outside may be most important to you. If you have small children, you may want all bedrooms to be on the same floor.
• What is your time frame to purchase a home? If you have a deadline to move and be in a new home, some types of properties (i.e. short sales) may not work with your time frame.
  • Do you need to be in a home ASAP or can you wait?
  • Do you need to move because you are starting a job on a certain day or your children are starting school?
  • Are you renting now and would like to own your own home when your lease expires?

Let your agent know which 5 things are most important to you. Then, make a list of 5-10 items that you WANT in a home but are not deal breakers. Buying a home is a very personal experience and each buyer is different. You will want to share want you need and want and how you live with your agent so she can help you find the best home for you!

 

Searching the MLS

Once your agent knows your needs and wants in a home, you can start searching the MLS. Before your first meeting with your real estate agent, you may have seen MANY homes online through various websites. You may even have a few saved as “favorites”. Some of the very popular sites do not update regularly or have accurate information listed. Keep in mind that your real estate agent has direct access to the MLS and the most up-to-date information available. Your agent will match your needs and wants against what is available on the market in your price range. You and your agent will agree on which 5-10 properties will make your “favorites” list.

 

Now that you have completed the first meeting with your real estate agent, the next step in the home buying process is likely the most fun for most people – actually looking at houses! Looking at houses will be covered in my next blog post.

 

Until then, you can contact me with any home buying (or home selling) questions. I can be reached by email at Kathy@KathyRukat.com, by phone/text at 843-267-2710, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kathyrukatmyrtlebeachrealestate or by commenting on this post. Start searching for your dream home by visiting the Basic Search section of my website. Happy house hunting!!

 

“Helping You Find the Sandcastle of Your Dreams!”