Most people start their home-buying search by looking at sites such as Realtor.com, Zillow or Trulia. That’s completely fine and understandable, but Step 1 to buying a home should be to hire a Realtor to represent you.
Searching online at Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc. on your own takes a LOT of time. A Realtor can set you up for automatic search via the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). This means that each day (or how often you want to receive the search results) you’ll be emailed a list of all new properties matching your criteria or price reductions that now put a property within your budget. This is a HUGE time-saver. And if you’re in a market like Northwest Montana where great properties sell in a matter of days, it can be an enormous advantage to view a property within a day or two of it going on the market.
So, how do you find and pick a Realtor? Well, hopefully you’ll contact me at 406-250-7506 or juliebrown@glaciersir.com so we can meet in person and see if we would be a good fit. Remember, not all Realtors are right for all people. You need to find someone who is not only great at their job, but someone you like, as you’re going to be spending a lot of time with that person. So get together, have a coffee, and chat. See if you click. If so, you need to determine if that person has the experience, customer service, and understanding of the market that you’re looking for. Start by noticing how quickly the Realtor responds to your initial phone call or email. If the Realtor doesn’t get back to you within a maximum of 24 hours, that’s a bad sign. This business moves fast and deals can be lost if your Realtor doesn’t respond quickly on your behalf during negotiations.
Second, interview the Realtor by asking very specific questions. Click here to read a post with my recommended interview questions.
Third, be prepared to sign a buyer representation agreement. Under Montana state law, this form is required before showing any properties. It establishes a formal relationship, ensures your agent works in your best interests, and protects your private information.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
