BUYING A HOME IN MARYLAND OR VIRGINIA
Information For First Time Home Buyers and Move-Up Home Buyers. The contract is different for home buyers in Maryland and Virginia. However, the home buying procedures are universal for most folks.
Connect with a helpful REALTOR ® who is familiar with the area of your search. Find out how much home you are qualified to buy. You may want to pay less, but you need to know your qualifying maximum. You and your Buyer's Agent will preview homes in your location of choice and in your price range. Your Buyer's Agent will prepare a Contract of Sale offer for you to present to the Seller, usually through the Listing Agent. You and your Buyer's Agent will negotiate the price, settlement date, inspection, etc. matters with the Seller. Once you have agreement on the details, the contract will be accepted and you get ready for inspections and/or settlement. You must get your loan commitment within the date agreed in the Contract of Sale.
COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY HOME BUYERS WHEN SEARCHING FOR REAL ESTATE.
DRIVING AROUND LOOKING FOR YARD "FOR SALE" SIGNS
There may be new listings that have not yet gotten the sign up. In fast moving markets, homes often go in the Multiple List Systems (MLS) and sell over a weekend before the sign company can get the FOR SALE sign installed. Your agent can show you all current listing by reviewing new listings in the MLS. Rely on your agent for current information.
VISITING OPEN HOUSES WITHOUT YOUR AGENT
Going to open houses without an agent there to represent YOU. If you visit OPEN HOUSE properties without your agent, you may be giving personal and financial information to the agent representing the seller that could compromise your ability to negotiate the best price and terms FOR YOU. Don't forget, in most cases, the agent holding the open house works for and represents the interests of the SELLER.
CONTACTING LISTING AGENTS FROM THEIR INTERNET SITES
Home buyers who use the Internet to begin their home search will often look for homes. We believe that home buyer should be searching for agents to represent their interests. If home buyers see a home they like on an Internet site, that agent MAY be the listing agent and be representing the interests of the seller.
SELECTING A BUYERS AGENT
We recommend working with an agent that represents YOUR interest in your real estate purchase. You should never give personal or financial information to ANY agent unless you know that they will be working for you and put your interests before other agents', home sellers and, in fact, their own interest. That's fiduciary and you can only get that level of representation from a buyers agent with whom you have a written representation agreement. USE YOUR OWN AGENT'S SERVICES. Not that of the seller.
HOW DO I FIND A TRUE BUYER'S AGENT?
In some parts of the country, it is not easy. Many agents would call themselves your agent when, in fact, they may be the listing agent representing the seller. Or, they may be a Dual Agent, trying to help both buyer and seller, but you may not know how your personal and financial information is going to be used. Will it be used to help you get the best home for your money?? Or, will your information be used to benefit the seller?? You may review Exclusive Buyer's Agents at http://ired.com/trueagent . If you are looking for a home in Maryland or Northern Virginia, contact http://www.homefinders.com .
If you need help with any of the above, just give Homefinders.com a telephone call or send an e-mail. If you are already working with an agent, please contact your agent.
* Annapolis * Crofton * Severna Park * Pasadena * Owings Mills * Odenton * Pikesville * Catonsville * Towson
* Prince Frederick * Lusby * Westminster * Eldersburg
Elkton * Bel Air * Columbia, Ellicott City * Centreville *
* Easton
* Chestertown * Bethesda * Rockville * Silver Spring * Gaithersburg * Germantown * Olney * Bowie
*
Upper Marlboro * Laurel * Greenbelt * California * Lexington Park * Leonardtown * Hagerstown * Arlington
* Alexandria
* Chesapeake * Berryville * Culpeper * Fairfax
* Centreville * Great Falls * Vienna * McLean
* Reston
* Springfield * Warrenton * King George * Ashburn * Lovettsville * Sterling * Purcellville * South Riding
* Leesburg
* Manassas * Gainesville * Woodbridge * Haymarket * Bristow * Stafford * Fredericksburg
* Spotsylvania
* Stevensburg * Herndon * Clifton * Falls Church * Annandale
