When you are new to buying a home, the number of legal contracts, inspections, addendum, and deadlines can be overwhelming and intimidating. However, a real estate agent is going to help you through the steps of your search for homes that fit your needs and are within your budget. Here are a few recommendations in order to help you as you purchase your next home.

Evaluate the Market

In order to start off your search for a home through the myriad of properties for sale, you will need to look at home prices and the average length of time that homes are sitting on the market. The length a home sits on the market can be an indicator of how quickly homes are selling overall and is key in how much demand there is for homes. These elements can help you determine how much you may end up paying for a home and if you need to work quickly in the search or compete with other buyers.

Take a little bit of time to look for properties in different areas and neighborhoods that you are interested in. This search will help you understand the price range you can expect to pay for a home and help you recognize a good deal on a property as well. Your real estate agent is able to evaluate the value of a home in a comparison with others on the market and then look at its condition and any needed repairs to calculate an offer price to move forward in a purchase.

Understand Your Realtor's Commission

When you use a real estate agent to help you search for a home to buy, they are going to provide you with services from your initial search until you sign the final document and close on your home. With all the help your real estate agent provides, you probably want to show them your gratitude for their work with a tip or a bonus. But be aware that your real estate agent does not expect a tip because they are paid through a commission off of the purchase of your home. 

Realtors often get a percentage of the home's sale price in a commission. They provide you with great service because they know they will receive their payment as compensation for all the time they have put into your purchase transaction at the end of the process.

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