 | Stacy Cole
a licensed real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Stucky & Associates is a native Wichitan. Stacy graduated from Maize High and lives in Maize with her husband and two sons. When Stacy isn't working on real estate, or helping her husband run their business, Beeson's Cleaning and Restoration, she enjoys watching their boys play baseball. Stacy loves people and the excitement of watching their happiness as they become new homeowners. You can reach Stacy at 2121 N. Tyler Rd., Ste. 300, phone (316) 729-9700, cell (316) 312-4170 or email scole34@cox.net. |
Real Estate
2004-01-01 09:18:00
What are buyer's responsibilities?
: I hear a lot of talk about real estate agents, what they should and shouldn't do, and whether they represent buyers or sellers. I don't hear much about the buyer’s responsibilities. Can you fill me in?
ANSWER: Home buyers do have responsibilities. A successful real estate transaction requires cooperation from everyone associated with the sale. There are things you can do to help your agent, which in the long run gets you to closing faster and with fewer hurdles along the way. The first thing you should do if you are thinking of purchasing a home is to get pre-approved by a lending institution. You won't waste your time or the agent's time looking at houses that are out of your price range. If you find a house you like, you'll feel confident making an offer if you are already qualified for a certain amount, and you'll have a better idea of how much to expect in closing costs.Be honest with your agent. The personal information that you share with your real estate agent depends on the relationship, but regardless, be honest. This includes obvious tasks that might relate to fraud or deception. It also includes fair housing issues. Your agent must comply with fair housing laws. If you're working with multiple sellers' agents, let them know so that their efforts don't overlap. It's a waste of everyone's time. Be open minded to your agents suggestions. Don't judge listings by looking at MLS sheets. Sure, choose some of the houses you want to see, but let your agent make choices too. Use your own common sense and don't blindly follow an agent's directives. If contracts must be signed, don't let them linger. Your verbal acceptance of a counter offer might be discarded if you take your time to sign. Work with your agent to make sure everything's ready at closing time such as switching utilities, obtaining insurance binders, etc. Closings don't just happen. They happen because at least one person is following through, often on a daily basis. The road to closing is a lot smoother if everyone involved cooperates.
