Buyers

Absolutely not! Unlike shopping for vehicles,  you do not need the agent listing the property to assist you. You should work with one agent from beginning to end. Working with one agent will assure you have someone on YOUR side. The agent should know your likes, wishes, wants, and needs. They will give you advice on the process, the market, and the area. Then if you see a yard sign in front of a home that you think is the one, call your agent.

This is an easy answer: as few as possible. This isn't the time to bring all your friends and family along. Only bring the important decision maker(s) into the transaction.

Most importantly, make the showing adult only. We have no way of knowing if there are firearms, illegal substances, etc. in the home. Your child’s safety is very important to Krista!

Great question! Local Pullman lender Ray Wallace has an excellent information video on the subject. Check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stw8zGDZ-SM

Start with a REALTOR. Real estate agents can go over the big picture process and how the financing functions with the other pieces. They can also recommend lenders that are a good fit for you. It's important to have a lender who suits your personality and your needs.

But if you have already worked with a mortgage advisor before you meet with a REALTOR, you will make the agent very happy!

Generally speaking, real estate agents do not need to know the details of your financial situation. You can share those confidential pieces with your lender. The agent will need to know your pre approval amount, what type of loan you will be using, and how much you will have for the down payment.

Generally speaking, there are three statuses for home sales: active, pending, and sold. Active means the property is for sale and is actively being marketed. Sold means the home has been purchased and is no longer available. Pending encompasses all of the phases in between to complete the inspection, the loan approval, and the appraisal, among other details specific to that purchase. So don't expect to be let in for a showing on a property listed as pending. There is already a buyer whose offer has been accepted.

If your agent is safety-savvy, yes!

Being a real estate agent comes with considerable dangers. Visit the Beverly Carter Foundation's website for more information on why realtor safety is important.

There is a difference and it is an important one. Both are paid for by the buyer. The simple difference is that an inspector works for you. They will give you a detailed report showing the status of the home. They will call out concerns and issues. Inspection reports are used to request repairs from the seller. The inspection report is yours.

An appraisal is for the bank. Appraisers are neutral experts who estimate the value of the home based on the square footage, features, and condition of the property so that, in case a buyer defaults, the bank can recuperate their money.

There are several ways to look at this question. First, let's look at it from your buyer's perspective. Let's say your agent shows you a home that you love and know it's THE one. You want to put in an offer and start talking to a lender. Then you realize that you cannot afford the home. Homebuying can be a very emotional process. Don't set yourself and your family up for heartbreak.

BEWARE! Many online loan calculators do not incorporate taxes or insurance into their monthly estimates. Although you have the option not to pay those out of an escrow and instead pay them on your own, you still owe them. They are still part of your monthly expenses.

Next, be mindful that showings take time and effort for others. Consider the time not only from your schedule, but the agent's busy schedule and the seller's schedule. Who knows the seller's/sellers' home situation? Some sellers need to kennel their animals or remove them from the property during showings. Sellers may have babies, small children, or other members of their family who need extra time and are planning to leave the house.
Lastly, a buyer's agent's duty is to bring a "ready, willing, and able" buyer. Your agent is doing their duty to confirm that you are, in fact, ready, willing, and able.