Are you considering enlisting the expertise of a buyer’s agent for your next property purchase?
Before diving in, it’s helpful to lay the groundwork to ensure a smooth and successful home-buying journey to maximise the benefits of the partnership.
Here are the five best things to do before engaging a buyer’s agent, curated from insights shared by experienced agent Joanna Zietek:
- Secure Pre-Approval for Finance: One of the first steps towards homeownership is knowing your financial capabilities. Organising pre-approval for a mortgage not only provides clarity on your borrowing capacity but also positions you as a serious buyer in negotiations. With pre-approval in hand, you gain a competitive edge in the market, giving you the confidence to make informed decisions.
- Prepare to Sell (If Applicable): If your purchase is contingent upon selling your current property, it’s essential to initiate the selling process. Your buyer’s agent can assist you in selecting the right selling agent for your property, ensuring a seamless transition from selling to buying.
- Define Your Requirements: Before engaging a buyer’s agent, take the time to list your requirements, non-negotiables, and areas where you’re flexible. Clear communication of your preferences helps your agent tailor the search to properties that align with your needs, saving time and effort in the process.
- Consider Timelines: Deliberate on your desired moving dates and settlement timelines. Whether you’re aiming for a quick transition or require a longer settlement period, clarifying these details upfront is crucial for effective negotiations and a stress-free buying experience.
- Understand Your Motivation: Reflect on why you’re seeking the assistance of a buyer’s agent and communicate your objectives clearly. Whether it’s for guidance in navigating the market, accessing exclusive listings, or leveraging expert negotiation skills, articulating your needs will enable your agent to tailor their services to suit your goals.
But why are these steps essential before engaging a buyer’s agent?
Now that we’ve outlined the best practices to follow before engaging a buyer’s agent, let’s delve into the why:
- Preparation Leads to Success: Taking the time to organise pre-approval, define requirements, and consider timelines sets the foundation for a productive partnership with your chosen buyer’s agent at Cohen Handler Queensland. By clarifying your goals and expectations upfront, you empower your agent to deliver tailored solutions that align with your objectives.
- Maximising Opportunities: Securing pre-approval and preparing to sell (if applicable) positions you as a serious buyer in the eyes of sellers and agents. This increases your chances of accessing a wider range of properties and securing favourable deals in a competitive market.
- Efficiency and Focus: Clear communication of your requirements allows your buyer’s agent to conduct a targeted search, focusing on properties that meet your criteria. This streamlines the buying process, saving time and effort while ensuring that each property presented aligns with your preferences.
- Empowering Negotiations: With pre-approval in hand and a clear understanding of your requirements, your Cohen Handler buyer’s agent can negotiate confidently on your behalf, striving to secure the best possible price and terms for your new home.
In addition to these steps, it’s important to understand the unlimited benefits that a buyer’s agent at Cohen Handler brings to the table. With a track record of purchasing over $6 billion in property, and an impressive 81% of our acquisitions sourced off-market, we consistently deliver savings averaging between 7-13% for our clients.
- Access to a Wide Range of Properties: Your Cohen Handler buyer’s agents have access to off-market listings and exclusive opportunities, expanding your property options beyond what’s publicly available.
- Expert Negotiation Skills: Leveraging their market knowledge and negotiation expertise, Cohen Handler buyer’s agents strive to secure the most favourable terms for their clients, saving you time and money.
- Tailored Guidance and Support: From defining your search criteria to guiding you through the purchase process, your Cohen Handler buyer’s agents provide personalised support every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience.
In reality, we, as buyer’s agents cater to clients across various budgets, operate exclusively in the buyer’s best interest, and offer flexible fee structures, making the services accessible to a wide range of buyers.
By debunking common misconceptions surrounding the role of buyer’s agents, such as budget limitations and perceived conflicts of interest, Joanna Zietek emphasises the inclusive and client-centric nature of their services. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or seasoned investor, partnering with a buyer’s agent can enhance your property purchasing journey, empowering you to make informed decisions and achieve your real estate goals.
Following these five essential steps and understanding the value proposition of working with a Cohen Handler buyer’s agent, you can embark on your property buying journey with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, enlisting the expertise of a Cohen Handler buyer’s agent can streamline the process, enhance your negotiating power, and ultimately lead to a successful and satisfying property purchase.
Want to read more? Check out our guide to the 5 best investment suburbs North or South of Brisbane River.