Buying Real Estate in WNC

Welcome.  You are at the beginning of your North Carolina real estate purchase.  Before you actually get out and look at anything, please spend some time with your Realtor.  Of course, Asheville 4 Seasons Realty would  love to be that Realtor, but regardless of whom you choose, there will be forms and contracts that will be presented to you and I’ll briefly explain them.

If you have purchased real estate of any kind before in another state you may have encountered some of these forms, but there will be variations to each, so take the time up front to be comfortable with them. If you have never purchased real estate, then these will new to you…take the time to understand them and to feel comfortable with them.

As soon as you spend any amount of time with a Realtor, they will ask you to read and sign a form entitled “Working with Real Estate Agents”. This is standard procedure and was developed to protect buyers, sellers and Realtors as well. It explains the relationships between an agent and their client…and how one becomes a client. There are various levels of relationships and while it does not have to be difficult, it does need to be spelled out and understood in advance of writing a contract, preferable prior to any showings. You will need to sign this with each agent you spend time with.

When you meet with a Realtor, it is helpful if you use this time to do several things. First of all, make sure you schedule and are given the time to ask questions to discuss your wants and needs and generally get a feel for how comfortable you will be spending a good deal of time with this agent. Looking for real estate can be a long and arduous process, one that you will look back on and either smile or shudder. Put the time in, up front, to find a professional that you feel comfortable with, that you can communicate with and that you trust. No one person has the answer to everything, but you need to feel that your wants and needs will be met, your questions will be acknowledged and answered and you both have the same goal and the same time schedule to reach that goal. You will be spending a good deal of time, often intense, with this person…make sure they are the one, or ones for you. And when you find that person, stick with them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and if you don’t feel they are right for you, keep looking and asking, until you find the right fit.

From there you will be asked to sign an Exclusive Buyers Agreement, a contract between you the Buyer and your agent. This is the only type of agreement that I will use. When I become your Buyer Broker, I work for you, plain & simple. And while I don’t work 24/7, I make every attempt to be there for you when you need me. And that is what you should expect when you hire someone to represent your interest. Again, take the time to ask questions as to how that agent works, will they make themselves available to you, will they have the time to accommodate your needs. If not, then don’t hire them. Better to discuss this upfront, agree on compensation and what is important to you and what you both expect.  Once this is done, you’ve laid a good foundation for a solid relationship.