Real estate can be one of the best investments you can ever make. It can also go very, very wrong.

The internet provides you with a fair amount of basic research, but the details it omits can be costly. 

As a seasoned real estate Manager, Trainer, Mentor and active REALTOR, my top three tips for you are:

1.  Interview and select your own agent. Don't fall prey to using someone because you "know" them and you feel obligated. This is your hard-earned money and a monetarily-based business decision. Agents vary in their level of market knowledge, contract knowledge, lending knowledge and ability to negotiate on your behalf. Choose wisely. If you are a buyer, do not drive around town or surf the internet and call the listing agents. Use your research tools to source your favorite properties and then ask your agent to call the listing agents on your behalf. Your agent's ability to negotiate for you begins with the first phone call and the first impression of you as a potential buyer. A buyer's agent will also source properties for you that you wouldn't be able to find . . . for sale by owners and properties not yet listed!  Did you know that an agent can save you tens of thousands of dollars by negotiating on your behalf directly with a builder for new construction?

2.  First things first.  

As a buyer, there are a multitude of reasons to prepare and "package" yourself financially prior to viewing properties. A well-informed agent will know the current lending restrictions and will oftentimes be able to save you thousands of dollars by helping you to select the right loan program for you. They will also be able to assist you in preparing your credit score over time so that you can purchase more home for your money. By shopping your loan to several sources, you will be able to ensure the most competitive rate and terms. A knowledgeable agent will also be able to help you negotiate over, around and through any negative credit items or down payment hurdles. If you are shopping for short sale or bank-owned (foreclosure) properties, the right agent can make a BIG difference! www.deniseandtracy.com

As a seller, your choice of an agent should never, ever be based on who charges the lowest commission. This is what I call "perceived" savings. The lower the commission, the less incentive you are offering to buyer's agents and the less money your agent has to successfully market your home. There are vast differences in how agents market your home. Ask for details of mls, print and internet exposure. Interview several agents. Separate your emotional tie to your home and view the property as a commodity. Commodities move based on supply and demand. Choose an agent who has market knowledge and statistics to show you exactly where to price your home to sell, not sit. The best agent is the one who will honestly tell you what a buyer will pay for your home and is not the agent who agrees that your upgrades and pool make it "worth" tens of thousands of dollars more than your competitors' homes. www.deniseandtracy.com

3.  It's more than just the purchase price.  This is where I see clients lose the most money . . . in the details and disclosures of the transaction itself. There are so many different levels of a transaction where a dedicated agent can protect your best interests. Your agent's knowledge of the area, of disclosures, of property taxes, of restrictions pertinent to that property or area, of how to negotiate the terms and timeframes of the contract to your benefit, of how to negotiate repairs to your benefit, of how to manage the overall transaction and all parties' personalities involved, of how to proactively prevent problems, etc. This is where a good agent earns every dollar that you are paying them! www.deniseandtracy.com

To truly enjoy your real estate experience and know that you are in caring, experienced and capable hands, call me NOW at 951-551-4169 or visit my website, www.deniseandtracy.com.

I enjoy answering your questions and helping you reach your real estate goals. denise@deniseandtracy.com