Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale | Homes for sale in Rochester, NY, LOCAL Rochester real estate listings, market data, REALTOR® info, and high quality content updated every 15 minutes! Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:50:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/cropped-SITE-LOGO-512-x-512-1-32x32.png How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home – Rochester Real Estate | LOCAL Homes For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com 32 32 June Home Maintenance Checklist: 40+ Must-Do Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/june-home-maintenance-checklist-summer-prep/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20501 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> May Home Maintenance Checklist: 30 Essential Tasks to Prepare Your Home for Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/may-home-maintenance-checklist/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20484 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> April Home Maintenance Checklist: How To Prepare Your Rochester NY Home For Spring https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/april-home-maintenance-checklist/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20364 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> March Home Maintenance Checklist: Get Your New York Home Ready for Spring https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/march-home-maintenance-checklist/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=20338 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Buy a House in New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buy-a-house-in-new-york/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19906 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Sell a House in New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/sell-a-house-in-new-york/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19905 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Risks of Buying a Non-Warrantable Condo In New York: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/non-warrantable-condo/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19796 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Builders Should Know About Spec Construction Loans In New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/builders-spec-construction-loans/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19795 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Moving To The Finger Lakes Region Of New York | Guide To Relocating To The Finger Lakes https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/moving-to-the-finger-lakes-region/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19875 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Navigating the Numbers: The Pros and Cons of Using Online Home Value Estimators For New York Real Estate https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pros-cons-online-home-value-estimators/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19794 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Role of Location in Home Valuation In New York https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/role-of-location-home-valuation/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19768 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Lowe’s vs U-Haul: A Review of Truck Rental Companies https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/lowes-vs-uhaul/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19758 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Understanding the Importance of a Seller’s Property Condition Disclosure https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/property-condition-disclosure-statement/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19632 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What are Delayed Showings and Negotiations in Real Estate In New York? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/delayed-showings-negotiations/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19547 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 8 Viable Tactics to Selling Your Home and Moving Out of State https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/selling-home-moving-out-of-state/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19542 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Unconventional Methods for Selling a House: Thinking Outside the Box https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/unconventional-methods-for-selling-a-house/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19519 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Sell My House Off Market: Pros and Cons Explained https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/sell-house-off-market/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19503 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What is PITI and How Does It Affect Your Mortgage https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-is-piti/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19498 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Set A Home Renovation Budget https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-renovation-budget/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19490 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Does A Co-Borrowers Credit Scores Affect A Home Purchase? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/co-borrower-credit-score/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19474 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> New Construction Final Walk-Through Checklist: Ensuring a Seamless Home Inspection https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/new-construction-final-walk-through/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19458 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Essential Tips for Pumping a Septic Tank: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pumping-a-septic-tank/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19450 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Can You Submit Multiple Offers On Homes At Once – A Legal And Ethical Analysis https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/multiple-offers-on-homes-at-once/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19414 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Get Your Home Photo Ready for Real Estate Listings https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-photo-ready/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19409 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does a Home Builder’s Warranty Cover? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-builders-warranty/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19394 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> July 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/july-2023-rochester-ny-real-estate-market-update/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19403 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Who Pays Real Estate Commission When You Buy or Sell a Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-commission/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19366 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Quitclaim Deeds: What You Need to Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/quitclaim-deeds/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19358 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Know About Selling a Home As Is for Cash https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/selling-home-as-is-cash/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19347 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Know if My House Has Paranormal Activity https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/is-my-house-haunted/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19342 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Why Find The History of a House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/find-history-house/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19316 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> June 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/june-2023-rochester-ny-area-real-estate-market-update/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19313 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-lawyer/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19181 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> May 2023 Greater Rochester NY Area Real Estate Market Update https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/may-2023-rochester-ny-area-real-estate-market-update/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19162 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Know About Buying a Home For The First Time https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buying-home-first-time/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=19058 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> <strong>What Should a Buyer Look For at a Home Inspection?</strong> https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-look-for-home-inspection/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18983 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Companies That Buy Houses For Cash Reviewed https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/companies-buy-houses-for-cash/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18889 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Does Home Staging Work and What is The Cost? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/does-home-staging-work/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18814 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What to Avoid When Getting a Mortgage https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/avoid-when-getting-mortgage/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18797 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> <strong>5 Options For Replacing a Roof Reviewed</strong> https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/replacing-roof/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18771 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are Restrictive Covenants in Real Estate? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/restrictive-covenants/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18714 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Can The Court Force The Sale of Your House in Divorce? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/court-force-sale-divorce/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18693 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Real Estate Agent vs. Broker: What&#8217;s The Difference? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-agent-vs-broker/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18650 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Determine Square Feet In Your House For More Accurate Property Estimates https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/determine-square-feet/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18167 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 3 Things That Often Results in a Real Estate Agent Getting Sued https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/real-estate-agent-sued/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18133 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Top 5 Types Of Home Inspections Buyers Should Consider https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-types-home-inspections/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18119 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Pros And Cons Of Rent To Own Homes: What You Need To Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pros-cons-rent-own-homes/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18104 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Smart Things To Do Before Moving That Will Help Ease Your Transition https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-before-moving/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18084 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Become a Real Estate Agent https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/become-real-estate-agent/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=18071 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Renting A House Or An Apartment: Which Is The Better Option https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/renting-house-apartment/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17871 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The 5 Most Important Factors To Consider When Buying A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-factors-buying-house/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17851 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Buyers And Sellers Need To Know About An Appraisal Gap https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/appraisal-gap/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17827 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Pros And Cons Of Renting With Roommates – What You Need To Know https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/renting-with-roommates/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17794 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 6 Things You Should Know About Buying Land https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-know-buying-land/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17773 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Long Should Home Sellers Wait To Respond To An Offer On Their Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-sellers-wait-respond-offer/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=17745 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Buy A House With A Low Credit Score https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-buy-a-house-with-a-low-credit-score/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16819 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Things To Consider When Shipping A Car https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/things-to-consider-when-shipping-a-car/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16248 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Home Depot Truck Rentals: What to Know Including Pricing https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/home-depot-truck-rentals-what-to-know-including-pricing/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16156 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 16 Things To Do Before Listing Your Home For Sale https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/16-things-to-do-before-listing-your-home-for-sale/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16138 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Biggest Home Inspection Mistakes to Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/biggest-home-inspection-mistakes-to-avoid/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16112 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Your Credit Score Impacts Your Ability To Buy A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-credit-score-impacts-buying-house/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16086 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Winter Home Selling Mistakes | 7 Errors Made While Selling A House During The Winter https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-winter-home-selling-mistakes/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16051 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Winter Home Buying Mistakes | 11 Errors Made While Buying A House During The Winter https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/winter-home-buying-mistakes/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=16013 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Address Change Form Should I Use At The Post Office? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/address-change-form-post-office/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15981 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Does Contingent Status Mean in Real Estate? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-does-contingent-status-mean-real-estate/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15956 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> DIY Renovation Ideas For Your Backyard https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/diy-renovation-ideas-backyard/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15937 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Rent Your First Apartment Guide https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-rent-an-apartment/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15931 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Tips For Selling A Home Virtually https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/tips-selling-a-home-virtually/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15907 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Complete Winter Storage Checklist For Your Belongings https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/winter-storage-checklist/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15885 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Waive My Home Inspection When Buying A House? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/should-i-waive-my-home-inspection/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15870 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Biggest Self Storage Companies Reviewed https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/biggest-self-storage-companies/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15836 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Earnest Money and House Deposits Explained https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/earnest-money-house-deposits-explained/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15760 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Moving Mistakes To Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/moving-mistakes-to-avoid/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15568 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Mortgage Myths | Demystifying Common Home Loan Misconceptions https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-mortgage-myths/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=15102 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> First-Time Home Buyer Mistakes to Avoid https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/first-time-home-buyer-mistakes/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=14815 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 10 Tips For Adding Appeal To Your Home This Summer https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/10-tips-adding-appeal-to-home-this-summer/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=14237 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Exploring The Merits of Smart Home Technology When Selling a Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/smart-home-technology-selling-a-home/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13782 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top Frequently Asked Questions From Home Sellers https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-frequently-asked-questions-home-sellers/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=2424 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> First Time Home Buyer Programs In Rochester NY &#8211; Updated January 2025 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/first-time-home-buyer-programs/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock http://rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=580 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How New Doors &#038; Windows Can Boost Your Home Value https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-new-doors-windows-boost-your-home-value/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13643 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top 5 Things To Know When Flipping Your First House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-things-to-know-when-flipping-your-first-house/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13574 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are The Best Mortgage Options for Self Employed Borrowers? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/mortgage-options-for-self-employed-borrowers/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13450 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Top 10 Best Places To See Christmas Lights In Rochester NY https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/top-10-best-places-see-christmas-lights-rochester-ny/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=10236 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Are The PROs And CONs Of Multifamily Homes? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-multifamily-homes/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13219 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> What Low-Cost Home Improvements Should You Make Before Selling Your Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/low-cost-home-improvements-you-should-make-before-selling-your-home/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13114 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 15 Things Millennial Home Buyers Look At While Buying A House https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/15-things-millennial-home-buyers-look-at-while-buying-a-house/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=13028 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How Does A Fence Increase The Value Of Your Home https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-does-a-fence-increase-the-value-of-your-home/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12995 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Simple &#038; Low Cost Fixes To Make Your Home More Appealing To Buyers https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/5-simple-and-low-cost-fixes-to-make-your-home-more-appealing-to-buyers/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12779 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How To Improve A Homes Curb Appeal In Rochester NY https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-improve-a-homes-curb-appeal-rochester-ny/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12665 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 7 Ways to Create an Energy-Efficient Home While Conserving Your Budget https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/7-ways-create-an-energy-efficient-home/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12633 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Hiring Movers Vs. Moving Yourself | The PROs &#038; CONs Of Each https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/hiring-movers-vs-moving-yourself/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12592 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should You Pay Off Student Loans Before Purchasing a Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/pay-off-student-loans-before-purchasing-a-home/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12531 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Should I Build A New Home Or Buy An Existing Home? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/should-i-build-a-new-home-or-buy-an-existing-home/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=2497 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> Buying A Condo Vs. Renting A Condo | What Are The PROs &#038; CONs? https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/buying-a-condo-vs-renting-a-condo/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12402 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 9 Money Saving Moving Tips | How To Cut Costs When Moving https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/9-money-saving-moving-tips/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12341 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> How to Create a Proper Home Maintenance Checklist https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/how-to-create-a-proper-home-maintenance-checklist/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12300 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> 5 Tips For Tenant Screening | How To Weed Out Bad Tenant Applicants https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/tips-for-tenant-screening/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12291 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Social Media Blogs For Real Estate From 2017 https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-social-media-blogs-2017/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12045 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Home Improvement Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Remodeling https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-home-improvement-blogs-2017/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12044 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]> The Best Mortgage Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Financing https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/best-mortgage-blogs-2017/ Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:00:53 +0000 Kyle Hiscock https://www.rochesterrealestateblog.com/?p=12043 How To Interview A Buyers Agent When Buying a Home[/caption] Buying a home is not the same as selling a home.  The process is different, the feelings you experience are difference, and the emotions are different.  Since buying a home is different than selling a home, it's obvious that the qualities you should look for when hiring a real estate agent are going to be different as well. Real estate agents who represent buyers are commonly known as a buyers agent.  Real estate agents who represent sellers are commonly known as a listing agent.  Knowing how to interview a Realtor when selling a home is extremely important and it is no different than selecting a real estate agent to serve as your buyers agent. In most real estate markets there will be a much higher percentage of buyers agents than there will be listing agents.  The 80/20 rule is also in effect with buyers agents just like it is with listing agents.  If you are unfamiliar with the 80/20 rule, it's simple.  80% of the buyers will be represented by 20% of the buyers agents in the market.  In some communities, believe it or not, this ratio is even higher. How can you be sure when buying a home, whether it's the first or tenth home you buy, that you will be represented by a Realtor who falls in the 20% group?  There are no guarantees, however, by correctly interviewing Realtors when buying a home, you have a greater probability of hiring a great buyers agent.  The process and many of the questions will be similar when interviewing a listing agent and a buyers agent, however, there are also some things that will be different when interviewing a buyers agent to represent you during your home purchase. By following the below tips and common questions when interviewing a Realtor to represent you as a buyers agent and your experience will be an enjoyable one! [caption id="attachment_10659" align="aligncenter" width="600"]Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market Need A Top Agent In Your City? Click This Graphic To Get Connected With A Top Buyers Agent In Your Market[/caption] Mortgage and Financing
  • Do you require a pre-qualification or pre-approval before looking at homes?
Mortgage and financing is a very popular subject when buying a home, especially for the first time.  When interviewing a buyers agent, this is a good question to consider asking.  The responses that will be received will vary, however, a great real estate agent will answer this question with a resounding "yes."  It's critical that when buying a home, a buyer gets pre-approved before looking at homes.  A buyers agent who shows dozens of houses before getting a buyer pre-approved (or at the very least, pre-qualified) is doing a huge disservice to that buyer.  It's important that a potential buyer has a strong grasp on the type of financing they qualify for and the amount they qualify for and bottom line, if they are able to purchase a home at that specific time.  This can help eliminate disappointment, heartbreak, and also save the a buyer lots of time!
  • Do you have other trustworthy professionals you can recommend to me?
A great buyers agent will have several contacts in the mortgage industry whom they can recommend to you.  Just like all real estate agents are not created equally, all mortgage companies and consultants are not created equally.  It can greatly improve the probability of a smooth real estate purchase when utilizing a great buyers agents recommendation, as they know how one another work and what quality of service is to be expected. In addition to recommendations for mortgage lenders, another thing to consider asking a potential buyers agent is about different professionals they can recommend.  When buying a home you will likely need an attorney, a home inspector, insurance carrier, and other professionals, in addition to the mortgage lender.  Ask the potential buyers agent if they have a list of professionals they can provide to you. Real Estate Experience
  • How long have you been a licensed real estate agent?
This question is one that cannot be missed.  Experience in the real estate industry is important.  The longer a real estate agent has been selling real estate, the more transactions they have likely completed.  It's not impossible, however, that a real estate agent who has been in the business for two or three years and has done enough transactions to fall into that 20% group!
  • Is real estate your full-time career or a part-time job?
When buying a home, it can be a time consuming process.  As a buyer you have a job, family, and other responsibilities.  It's important that your buyers agent is available when it's convenient for you.  A part-time real estate agent may not be able to offer enough availability to do so.  If the best time to view potential homes is at 1:00PM on weekdays then that is when your buyers agent should setup the appointments.  A part-timer may not be able to due to another job or responsibility. [caption id="attachment_1771" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing! Ask Potential Buyers Agents About Past Sales When Interviewing![/caption] Real Estate Track-Record
  • How many homes did you sell as a buyers agent last year?
As a real estate agent, representing buyers is different than representing sellers, period.  There are different "tasks" that a buyers agent is responsible for during the transaction and the same for the sellers agent.  It's important to know how many homes a potential buyers agent sold last year while representing buyers.
  • On average, how many buyers are you actively working with?
One thing that is important to understand when hiring a buyers agent is that they are human beings, like yourself.  Buyers agents have families, lives, and schedules and this is one thing that buyers forget sometimes and it drives real estate agents crazy.  It's not a smart decision to seek out a buyers agent who only works with one buyer at a time.  This likely means they don't have a strong history of sales. This being said, knowing how many buyers they actively work with is an important question.  A great buyers agent should be able to make you feel like you are their only client.  A great buyers agent will be able to juggle several buyers at a time due to their organization and efficiency.
  • On average, how many homes do you generally show your buyers?
There are some buyers who believe that real estate agents would prefer to only have to show a couple houses to their buyers before they purchase a home.  This is true.  In most cases, a great buyers agent will only have to show 5-10 houses to their clients. Why is this?  A great buyers agent will be able to identify their clients wants, needs, and preferences.  Sometimes this is able to be done with a simple face-to-face meeting and sometimes after looking at a couple houses.  A real estate agent who shows 25 houses to you without narrowing down and being able to identify what you are looking for is wasting not only their time but also yours.
  • What experience do you have in selling homes in my target areas?
Each village, town, and city will have their own property values as well as real estate "trends."  In most communities there are some areas that houses are listed and sold within a week of being listed and others that take a couple months.  A buyers agent should be able to advise you on what property values and market trends you should expect from your target areas. Additionally, they should be able to help point you in the right directions to help you determine if the neighborhoods are the right place for you to purchase a home. Past Client Satisfaction
  • Can you provide me with testimonials or past clients contact information?
Every buyers agent should be able to provide a handful of testimonials to you, period.  As for contact information of past clients, this is not always possible.  It still is a good question to ask a potential buyers agent though when interviewing!  If you are able to obtain contact information of a past client of the buyers agent, make sure you do not waste the opportunity to pick up the phone or e-mail that person for their opinion of the potential agent. Agreements and Requirements
  • Do you require your buyers to sign any contracts or agreements?
Many buyers aren't aware that contracts even exist for buyers.  They do, however, they are not enforced or practiced that frequently.  Many of the top producing buyers agents will choose not to utilize a contract with their client because they know they will provide great service and not have to worry about losing their client. Another primary reason why buyers agents don't utilize contracts is because they are very difficult to enforce, should a buyer break an agreement.  Often a real estate agent will spend thousands of dollars in legal fees trying to recoup their commission, thus not making it worth their time or money. [caption id="attachment_1769" align="aligncenter" width="450"]Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs Ask How A Potential Buyers Agent Will Determine Which Homes May Match Your Needs[/caption] Technologies and Communication
  • Do you have a personal website?
You maybe asking yourself, Why is a website important for a buyers agent to have?  Simple.  A website is hopefully a great place to learn about not only the potential buyers agent but also about the local neighborhoods, schools, and also find some helpful testimonials.
  • Do you have a real estate blog?
Real estate agents love to share their knowledge and expertise.  A real estate blog is a great venue to share their wealth of knowledge.  Ask potential buyers agents if they have a blog or an example of article they have written.  If they provide you a URL for their real estate blog, be sure to check it out.  What types of articles have they written geared specifically towards buyers?  Have they written articles giving advice for first time buyers?    General home improvement articles?
  • How do you determine which homes may match our wants and needs?
A great buyers agent will have a system or questionnaire in place to determine what homes may match your wants and needs.  You should expect a great buyers agent to ask about your price range, desired square footage, number of bedrooms, type of heating system, and other specific questions.  This will allow them to determine what homes may be a great fit.
  • How do you provide the information of these possible homes?
This is a critical question to ask a buyers agent.  Do they send just the address of the potential home?  Do they send information?  You should expect a great buyers agent to send lots of detailed information and photos about the possible homes.
  • What methods of communication do you utilize?
One of the biggest complaints that buyers have when it comes to their real estate agent, refers to communication.  Whether it is lack of communication or the method, this is an important question to ask.  If you prefer to have your buyers agent text message you, it is critical to find out if the potential buyers agent text messages or not.  The same can be said for e-mailing as well. If your desired communication method is not one that is mentioned by the buyers agent, it could potentially lead to issues down the road. Other Miscellaneous Interview Questions 
  • Do you attend inspections?
Inspections are a very common contingency in contracts when buying a home.  A great question to ask a potential buyers agent is whether or not they attend their inspections.  There are some buyers agents who will attend and some who will not.  Most top producing agents will agree that attending inspections is important, for many reasons.
  • How do you negotiate our requests from inspections?
Many real estate transactions do not make it past the inspection stage.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You should expect that in addition to recommending quality home inspectors, the agent should be able to present the inspection report and requests in a way the seller understands the validity of the requests. Hiring a great buyers agent is critical when buying a home.  The process of buying a home can seem like a monumental task, but it isn't, with the right representation!  The above questions are some very good questions to think about asking.  By doing so, you should be on your way to successfully selecting a great buyers agent for your home buying needs! Other Home Buying Resources  Are you thinking of buying a home in Rochester, NY or the surrounding areas?  We'd love the opportunity to interview for the chance to represent you as your buyers agent.  With over 30 years of combined experience we know that your experience of buying a home will be seamless, so contact us today!
About the authors:  The above article "How To Interview A Realtor When Buying A Home" was provided by the Keith Hiscock Sold Team (Keith & Kyle Hiscock).  With over 30 years combined experience, if you’re thinking of selling or buying, we’d love to share our knowledge and expertise. We service the following Greater Rochester NY areas: Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, Pittsford, Fairport, Brighton, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Brockport, Mendon, Henrietta, Perinton, Churchville, Scottsville, East Rochester, Rush, Honeoye Falls, Chili, and Victor NY. Visit our website at www.HiscockHomes.com.]]>