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When deciding whether to use a real estate agent, you may want to ask yourself the following questions. Do you have the time, energy and relationships with experts in the field to do the job yourself? Would the results be as good as if you had professional assistance? Would you have purchased for less or sold for more, if a real estate agent was involved?
 Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will make in their lifetime. Emotions can run high, and it can be a rewarding experience or a potential nightmare. Real estate agents are generally paid by the seller from the sales commission when a property closes, so the services of an agent are essentially free for a buyer. It is to your benefit to choose one real estate agent and stick with them, as the agent will respect your loyalty and make a committment to spend a lot of their time and energy to find you the home of your dreams. The first thing you need to determine when purchasing a home is your buying power. Char has a team of experienced lenders and title agents to help you in this area. They can help determining the type of financing that will best suit your needs and situation at the lowest possible rate. Access to the Multiple Listing Service enables an agent to instantly know all the homes for sale in the area, categorized by price, square footage, number of bedrooms, etc. This will save you a lot of time in locating the right property at the best possible price. Once you find a home, there are many negotiating factors, including price, financing, terms, possession, and possibly repairs. In addition, a survey, termite certification, appraisal and title search must be ordered and reviewed before the closing. In the case of government loans, certain repairs may be required to be completed before closing. As time is of the essence on all real estate transactions, all these matters must be taken care of by the contract closing date. With 20 years experience and thousands of closings, Char can successfully get your transaction to the closing table!
 The first thing you need to do is determine a reasonable price for your house. Char can give you current information on what is happening in the marketplace, including prices of active, pending and sold properties in the immediate area. This is a key factor in getting your property sold at the best price, with the least hassle, in the quickest time. Mispricing a property in the beginning can have serious consequences later, if your house remains on the market for an extended time. Most sales occur in the first 90 days, when exposure to the market is new. Char can recommend repairs or cosmetic work based on experience in the field, which will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Put too much money in cosmetic repairs and you may be unable to recoup what you have spent. Not correcting other problems may seriously hinder the sale of your home. Char is familiar with the best means to market your property, which includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. Many real estate transactions are cooperative sales; that is, another agent brings the buyer to the property, through the marketing of the listing in the Multiple Listing Service. The choice of media and frequency of marketing depends a lot on the property and specific market. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. Studies have shown the 82% of real estate sales are the direct result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals and other agents. Another advantage of using a real estate agent is security. A real estate agent accompanies the buyer to your house, pre-screening and pre-qualifying them beforehand, thus you do not have to show your house personally to unqualified strangers. As a third party, Char can help you objectively evaluate an offer. This is the beginning of an involved process of appraisals, inspections and financing with many potential pitfalls. Between the initial sales agreement and the closing, inspections may require unexpected repairs or there may be a cloud on the title or a problem with the buyer's credit. A legally binding agreement with an earnest money deposit to be held in escrow till closing is a must, thus insuring a committment on the part of the buyer to diligently attempt to secure their loan. With 20 years experience and thousands of closings, Char can successfully get your transaction to the closing table!
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