You’ve got a new job. You want to move closer to family. You’re unhappy with the schools in your neighborhood. Whatever the reason, you’re ready to relocate. Now it’s time to find the perfect new home.

Finding a new home is a long, difficult and important process that will involve both finding a new spot and tying up the loose ends in your old spot.  This article will help you figure out what you need to do.

Hire a Real Estate Agent

Whether you’re buying or selling, you’re going to need a real estate agent. You could make it simple: head down to the nearest agency and choose the first friendly face that greets you.  However, putting in some extra time and effort to find the right agent can save you or make you a lot of money in the long run.

Types of Agents:

• Sellers’ Agents: These agents have a contract with the sellers of properties on the market. Though they are bound by law to report any major problems with a house to the potential buyer, their goal in selling a house is to get the highest price possible (and thus the highest commission).
• Buyers’ Agents: You want a buyer’s agent on your side when you’re in the market for a new home. This agent will shop around for you, looking for the ideal home to match your needs. They might also have some inside information that you don’t. Buyers’ agents may require a flat fee from the buyer, but often a deal is made with the sellers’ agent to share the commission.
• Dual Agents: Sometimes you’ll wind up with an agent who is listed as the seller on a particular property that you happen to be interested in buying. This agent is known as a dual agent and, just like it sounds, is divided in his interests.

Choosing Your Agent:

Once you know which type of agent will work for you, follow these steps to find your ideal match.

1. Ask friends for referrals.
2. If you don’t have friends who have purchased homes in the area, take a look at the National Association of Realtors’ website.
3. Check online reviews and references.
4. Interview with your prospective agents.  Details your time and money constraints and make sure you and your agent are on the same page regarding what you’re looking for.

Double Check the Neighborhood and Home You Are Buying

You can simply trust your real estate agent, but only you know best what you really enjoy.  Let your real estate agent narrow your search for you, then you pick the right spot.

Visit – physically check out your new home and the surrounding neighborhood.

Research – check online resources, like Yelp, and local newspapers to make sure that the area you’re moving to will interest you.

Talk to the Neighbors – meet with your potential neighbors, if possible.  They might be able to give you good insight into the type of neighborhood you’ll be living in, whether for better or worse.

Plan Your Daily Life There – this will be your home.  Does it meet your daily needs?  Make a preliminary plan to make sure the potential home can fit all of your big possessions in a way that would suite you.  Also, plan out your daily transit, whether it be to work or the grocery store to make sure you’re okay with it.

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