Selling or buying a home can feel like a completely foreign process for many people and there’s so many aspects that can easily become overwhelming. One of those being an abundance of people you’ve never heard of before. You need to feel confident and trust that the information you are getting is in your best interest. After all, this is going to be one of the largest transactions you’ll make in your life.
Of course everyone will claim to be able to help you through the process. So before you interact with any of these people, it’s a good idea to get some understanding of what they do and where their interests lie. This way you’ll be able to recognise some key warning signs.
Here’s a list of the experts that you’ll need to know that can make a significant difference to not only your experience but the outcome and how they will help you.
1. Buyers Agent
A Buyers Agent works independently for the buyer. Their key purpose is to help the buyer locate the most appropriate home and negotiate the lowest purchase price. A buyer’s agent is a fee for service arrangement and can be either a fixed fee or a percentage of the purchase price.
As a Buyers Agent I offer three main services options:
- Full Service – Working out your BRIEF – Searching – Inspecting – Assessing & Negotiating the purchase of your dream home
- Assess & Negotiate
- Auction Bidding Services
2. Vendor or Seller’s Advocate
If you need to sell in the shortest amount of time and get the best possible result, then you need to know what a Vendor Advocate can do to make this happen.
For years advocates have worked out a way to help with the agent selection process and manage the process by working alongside the seller to support them through this process.
Seller’s Advocates are paid directly by the agency that has the listing and this can work very well for the seller as there should not be any additional cost for having an extra level of protection during the selling process.
Most agents are happy to work with advocates as they know there are future opportunities and working in conjunction with others is a tactic that’s often used.
Now, like most professions you do get the good, the bad and all that’s in-between. So, It’s just as important to make sure the advocate you choose is an expert at what they do and will work hard to protect your interests the entire time.
As a Sellers Advocate I offer a complete management system that actually makes the agents job easier. The agents I work with love working with me because all they need to do is what they do best. Work with the buyers and negotiate the best result.
click here to learn more
3. Mortgage Broker
A Mortgage Broker is like having a personalised service to find you the best lending that will suit your financial situation. They provide advice, information and access to a wide variety of lending options that you wouldn’t have access to if you were to go to a bank.
They manage the application process and use their knowledge and experience to support you through the process.
4. Conveyancer
Conveyancing is the process of legally transferring ownership of land to another person or entity and a conveyancer is the person who completes this process. Both a buyer and a seller need a conveyancer, otherwise they run the risk of completing these legal documents incorrectly, which can lead to a huge financial loss.
They help with the following:
- Purchase or sale of a property
- Change of manner of holding of property
- Caveats
- Mortgage discharge
- Application by personal legal representatives
A buyer’s conveyancer will:
- Perform a Contract and Vendor Statement review (due diligence)
- Liaise with real estate agent, bank/mortgage broker and Vendor’s solicitor
- Settle the property – act on the buyer’s behalf, contact the buyer’s bank when final payments are being made
- Ensure a smooth settlement
Whereas a seller’s conveyancer will:
- Prepare all legal documents
- Liaise with bank/mortgage broker to arrange discharge of current mortgage
- Calculate the adjustment of rates and taxes
- Ensure a smooth settlement
5. Building & pest inspector
I would always recommend using a qualified building & pest inspector to perform a pre-purchase inspection. This is like your insurance policy when buying a home.
If you are buying a property at auction you will need to arrange this before the auction. If you are buying by private sale you can make your offer subject to a building and pest inspection.
- Structural Defects
- Interior room by room
- Floors & walls
- Wet areas
- Sub-floor, Stumps, bearers, joists, dampness, airflow
- Roof Cavity, sarking, insulation
- Perimeter of the site
- Outbuildings
- Fences and gates
- Roofing, guttering and downpipes
- Health & Safety issues
6. Removalist
A professional removalist service will help pack up your belongings and safely transport them to your new home. They can help with the cleanup process of your old home and help set your new home up with your belongings. Hiring a removalist can help speed up moving and minimises the risk of damaging any of your belongings during the move.
7. Connection of services
When you move into a new home you will need to organise connection of utilities. I have created a free service that makes it simple and will help you connect all the services you need. Check it out here.
If you have any questions or would like to book in a free consultation feel free to contact me here