100 Things We Do as Your Buyer’s Agent

When we represent a buyer, we put all our efforts and energies into helping a buyer identify and secure the home they identify as “the one.” Sure, there is much driving. And there is lots of locking and unlocking doors. But there is so much more that agents bring to the table when we work with buyers.

PRIOR TO FINDING A HOUSE

1. Listen to your goals and advise you on specific ways to meet them in today’s market

2. Provide names of lenders who are reputable, competitive, and creative

3. When requested, provide a list of questions to ask when shopping for lenders

4. Work with you and your lender to find the right loan program

5. Review good faith estimates and help compare costs and monthly payments

6. Make appointments to see homes in an efficient manner at times convenient to you

7. Call “For Sale By Owners” that we find to see if their property would meet your needs

8. Attempt to negotiate commissions with “For Sale By Owners” so that you may buy the house with representation for the lowest cost

9. Reach out to owners of houses that are not on the market, but may be of interest to you

10. Explain the home buying process from start to finish

11. Provide out of town buyers with a relocation package

12. Call listing agent on properties of interest to ensure properties are available prior to showing

13. Frankly discuss resale potential of houses of interest

14. Arrange to have a licensed agent work with you when we are out of town or unavailable

15. Check RMLS listings daily and communicate new listing information to you

16. Provide a list of home inspectors who have received high marks from previous buyers

17. Provide recommendations on first time buyer books, and other timely topics

18. Allow other real estate agents to see your home preferences for reverse prospecting

19. When requested, provide detailed information on market preferences for floor plans/area

20. Provide information/resources on current issues (e.g., oil tanks, lead paint, and radon gas)

21. Provide access to properties for sale at times convenient to you

22. Look carefully at properties which we tour to point out details which may be overlooked

23. Arrive on time to appointments and showings. We pride ourselves on timeliness.

24. Pursue continuing education yearly to obtain the latest information and fine tune our skills

25. Attend regular sales meetings to keep up on latest market and industry information

26. Network with hundreds of agents to get leads on new listings which might fit your needs

27. Carry Error and Omission insurance to help protect you from human error

28. Carry business coverage on our automobiles

29. Belong to Portland, Oregon and National Association of Realtors

30. Belong to Realtors Multiple Listing Service

31. Attend seminars on current topics

32. Use our experience every day

33. If needed, provide list of questions to ask other Realtors if you are still selecting a Realtor

34. Provide a map of city neighborhoods

35. Provide information on dispute resolution process used in real estate transactions

1. Provide our objective and honest opinion to all questions

2. Carefully guard confidential information about you and your position

3. Preview properties to see if they would be desirable

4. Keep informed about the areas in which you are looking

5. Provide addresses and directions if we are driving separately to properties

6. Provide “neighborhood orientation” tours for relocating buyers

7. Educate buyer as to today’s market conditions

8. Provide clean and safe transportation

9. Provide flashlight and measuring tape if needed when viewing houses

10. Use the latest technology to communicate and find information

11. Provide basic information on building materials and their relative

12. Provide information on inspection options

13. Keep an even temper, even in times of adversity

14. Care about our client’s comfort and best interest

15. Have fun!

AFTER IDENTIFYING A HOUSE OF INTEREST

1. Pull tax records on property of interest

2. Provide, when requested, property archive report on property of interest

3. Provide resources for information on school performance

4. Confirm with city that the property is on sewer

5. Pull permits on file for properties of interest

6. Use sales agreement forms drafted and continually updated by Association of Realtors

7. Provide disclosure forms to seller to assure representations to you are made in writing

8. Timely present offer to seller

9. Provide information to you on seller, whatever may be known

10. Provide you with specific market data for property of interest (i.e.: comparable sales, average days on market, what the seller paid for property and when, current mortgage information)

11. Follow up on questions with listing agents regarding houses of interest and report back promptly

12. Provide information on price appreciation in the defined areas

13. Provide assistance in reviewing nonstandard forms which may need to be signed

14. Help to determine the value of a property prior to your making an offer

15. Help to inform you of standard procedures or practices in current market

16. Discuss standard contingencies

17. Show you amenities found in neighborhoods of interest (restaurants, community centers, etc.)

AFTER OFFER IS ACCEPTED

1. Make appointment for home inspections

2. Work with lender to order the appraisal

3. Provide, when requested, utility cost information on properties of interest

4. Provide list of utility companies for home purchased

5. Attend home inspection and any other inspections necessary

6. Provide names and numbers of reputable contractors for bids or information

7. Call lender on a regular basis to make sure the loan process is going smoothly

8. Attend appraisal (unless drive by only)

9. Provide information to appraiser as needed

10. Provide property access to contractors to get bids on repairs if necessary

11. Negotiate your position strongly and effectively

12. Review inspection report and help you prioritize items

13. Thoroughly read all disclosures provided by seller and help identify potential red flags

14. Deliver paperwork and information quickly to all parties

15. Set up escrow account with escrow company with all necessary paperwork

16. Order a preliminary title search

17. Review preliminary title report with you and help identify any red flags

18. Attend signing of papers to explain paperwork

19. Review closing statement to make sure it is accurate and correct

20. Perform walk through inspections with you to ascertain that conditions of sale are met

21. Inform lender of escrow company to speed up flow of information

22. Provide measurements of rooms for planning furniture, etc.

23. Coordinate appointments to sign documents

24. Coordinate exchange of keys

25. Coordinate access to property by contractors prior to closing

26. Provide buyer with a copy of all documents signed by buyer

27. Provide sales agreement to lender to complete loan process

28. Review sales agreement with buyer so that all terms are familiar

29. Put the home inspection report in context for seller and listing agent, and help them understand our requests for repairs

30. Coordinate re-inspection of repairs by lender if necessary

31. Provide complimentary market analysis on home for tax appeals, PMI removal appeals, and financial planning

32. Answer questions that might arise after the sale is closed

33. Maintain a file in our office with all pertinent information should you need info or copies in the future