The single most important decision you will make during the home buying process is not the home you choose, it’s the agent you hire.

Why? Because the difference between finding your dream home or ending up with a nightmare (or homeless) often comes down to the advice you receive from your agent.

So it’s important to know exactly what guidance you’re going to need and what it is you are paying for (BTW, you’re not really paying anything to your agent since the commission is paid by the seller – score!).

• Neighborhood expertise – Real estate is a boots-on-the-ground business. There are so many nuances not only between neighborhoods, but between streets that you may not know. What is the best section of Thousand Oaks? Where are the kid friendly neighborhoods? What is the reputation of the different local schools?  I’ve had buyers fall head over heels in love with a house because it looked like a steal online unaware that the neighborhood had cracked slab issues in the past and a bad local reputation. There are countless tidbits of info that you cannot possibly know if you only come to town to show an occasional house.
• Make you consider things you probably haven’t considered – An older house has older systems. Have you factored into your budget that you may have to replace the furnace, a/c, and roof in the next few years? Did you know it can cost about $20k+ to change out the old aluminum windows? Some neighborhoods in Westlake Village have aluminum wiring which is a fire hazard (but can be fixed), did you know that? It’s easy to fall in love with the beautiful cabinets and the hardwood floors and miss some of the important things you should be considering. Beware of the agent who only points out the pretty kitchen counters and the sparkling pool and love the agent who points out the not so rosy things you may not have noticed.
• Mistake avoidance – An agent’s job is to not only help you make a good decision, it’s to keep you from making a bad decision. Buying a home is a highly emotional transaction. As they say, we buy emotionally and justify logically. My job is to help interject some logic into an emotionally charged decision. For example, buying a home that backs a busy street is probably not a great logical decision. I don’t care how beautiful it is, homes that back busy streets are hard to sell in a good market – you’ll be dead in a tough market. (Apologies to those who already own one).
  
• Local relationships – For the most part, agents have access to the same information online, but you need an agent who is plugged into the local vibe. Just by being out and about, showing homes and talking to agents, a good and active agent can get the inside scoop before it goes public. When I’m representing a buyer and competing against other offers, I often have an advantage because of my relationship with the listing agent. If you’re being represented by an out of area agent or someone who doesn’t do a lot of business, you’ll be at a distinct disadvantage. That’s just reality.
• Good local inspectors and service people – Buyers have the right to choose any inspector they would like, but that’s usually not how it works. Chances are you are going to rely on your agent to help you find the best inspector to inspect your house. There are certain inspectors who have a reputation for “making the agent happy” aka minimizing issues to keep the buyer from cancelling. You may think agents would want that and some do, but not all. If I give a referral to someone and that person does a bad job, who does that reflect poorly on? Not only that, the last thing a relational agent wants is an unhappy client. That’s why a good agent has a vested interest in making sure that they’ve weeded out the bad guys and only refer the good ones.
• Unemotional Negotiation Advice – Even the most skilled negotiator will typically negotiate emotionally on their own behalf. That’s why you need a skilled unemotional negotiation partner. Someone who can advise you with the best strategy to get the outcome you are looking for. I’ll be honest, when I was a new agent, I wasn’t the best negotiator. I was as emotionally wrapped up in the outcome as the buyers. I didn’t have a lot of experience to tap into and I often needed to get the deal done more than the buyers did! Being an effective negotiator comes from years of experience and making the effort to learn. (Tip: Ask if your agent is a Certified Negotiation Expert. I am!)

According to surveys, neighborhood expertise and negotiation skills are the two most important attributes buyers look for from their agent. I’m guessing the other 4 aren’t mentioned because those are the hidden skills you won’t know you needed until it’s too late. But you’re one of the lucky ones! You’ll now know what skills to look for when selecting your agent.

Good news – I just so happen to have have all 6 of these skills! Let’s discuss how I can help you find your next home. Call, text, or email me – 818-384-9929.