Insider Tips: Working with a Bakersfield Realtor™ for a Seamless Home Buying Experience
Buying a home can certainly be stressful… especially if you’re not familiar with Bakersfield, California. That’s why we are here - having the right Realtor (or real estate duo) by your side can make all the difference!
We are going to review some insider tips to help make the home-buying process seamless, so you can relax more, and stress less when it comes to purchasing your new home.
❶ Communication is Key
Open and regular communication is a MUST. You need to have an open conversation with your Realtor about your needs, priorities, and budget for your home. Don’t worry about sharing your expectations and concerns, as we are here to ensure that you are comfortable and get the best value for your money.
A good Realtor will also keep you informed about any new developments, keep you on track in terms of timelines and appointments, and ultimately ensure that you are happy with your home buying experience.
❷ Research Your bakersfield Realtor™
One thing you never want to overlook when searching for a local Realtor is doing your research on said Realtor. Not all Realtors are created equal, and you want to make sure that you are working with someone who is licensed and experienced that will be capable of finding that perfect home you are seeking.
Before proceeding with any Bakersfield Realtor, enter their name in a Google search (or whichever search engine you prefer), and look at the customer reviews, their experience, and sales history to determine if they will be a good Realtor to work with. Customer reviews can be instrumental when choosing a Realtor. They can give a clear insight into their professionalism, work ethic, and communication skills.
Speaking of reviews, we don’t mean to toot our own horn, but we have five stars ★★★★★ on Google. We aim to help each of our clients find their dream home and our goal is always to make that process as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
Some Realtor’s are not full-time - so their time is more limited than others and it may put a limit on what you’re able to see in your time span. A full-time Realtor will have more experience and will be able to act immediately when they see that potential dream home so you can get access to that information or viewing.
❸ Ask Questions
Ask, ask, ask questions! No matter how small the question may seem, let your Realtor know.
We are also professional problem solvers, and we understand that everyone’s needs and preferences are different. From specific features in a home to the neighborhood’s accessibility, don’t be shy to ask your Realtor anything about the property or the buying process.
❹ Understand the Market
Understanding the market will be essential when making an informed decision on buying a home.
John and I wear a lot of hats + we are also part encyclopedia with over 30 years of combined experience in real estate. We deeply understand the real estate market, especially in Bakersfield, California, and can help you navigate the trends and shifts.
❺ Getting Pre-Approved
Before you begin looking for a home it’s important to know how much you will be able to afford. That’s why we recommend going through the pre-approval process of a mortgage loan early on so you can have a clear understanding of how much you can realistically afford to spend on a house.
Also, it's important to be ready so you won't have to wait to get approved once you find the perfect home. If there are multiple offers, which we are still seeing, you might miss out.
Not sure where to begin? We will help connect you with a trusted lender that can meet your financial needs.
❻ See the Home in Person
Looking for homes online is very convenient, which by the way you can do on our website.
BUT, you should always still go to see the property in person. Pictures and videos don’t always capture the home’s true character, and you may miss details that are essential to you.
If you are interested in viewing a property, let your Realtor know and they will not hesitate to set up a time for you.
❼ Be Patient
Finding your dream home may not happen overnight. It can take time to find the right property that fits exactly what you are looking for. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a few months or a year to find the perfect home. A good Realtor (or real estate duo) will work with you every step of the way to make certain that your needs are met and that you’re happy with your home.
❽ Don't Forget About Resale Value
We know you don’t plan to sell your home any time soon & we would not want you to!
But property resale value is something to be considered when buying a home. Factors like location, neighborhood, schools, and amenities can affect the home’s resale value over time.
❾ Be Prepared for Closing Costs
Don’t let closing costs scare you!
They are not scary if you are prepared for them. Too often, closing costs can be a surprise expense when finalizing the purchase of your home. To help our clients, we work alongside your lender to provide an estimate of what they can expect the closing costs to be, so they are prepared financially.
In some situations, you can ask the seller to pay the buyer's closing costs. We help you structure closing cost concessions in your offer.
❿ Celebrate Your New Home
Once the home-buying process is complete, it’s time to celebrate! You earned it!
We believe that our job is not finished until you are happy with your new home. Our goal is to create a long-lasting relationship with our clients, and we will be here for you for any future real estate questions and needs.
You have made it to the end of our list! We hope that these tips are helpful when you are purchasing a home to make the process less stressful, and more seamless. Feel free to reach us if you're looking for a dream home in Bakersfield, CA - and even if you’re looking to sell.
We’d love to help you - get in touch with us to explore Bakersfield and have a great experience.
If you're not a pre-approved buyer, don't worry! We can help connect you with a trusted lender.
Drop your contact information below and we'll give you a call or email.