You have found your dream home! A beautiful little country cottage that's going to be affordable, and it's going to be yours. It's amazing what the internet can do for you. You never would have met good ol' Harry and Barb if it hadn't have been for that private for sale web site. Who would have guessed buying a home could be so easy! A quick walk through to prove the house is everything that you're looking for, a hand shake, $1000.00 deposit...now you just have to wait a few days to meet with your lawyer so he can draft your actual contract. In 45 days you'll be moving.
Then your phone rings...good ol'Harry and Barb want to let you know that someone has offered them even more money. They would rather sell to them. Knowing the work the house does need, you just aren't comfortable meeting the new price. Bye bye dream home. They'll drop your deposit back to you in the mail...if you're lucky!
Do you suppose you'll really see it? Do you think there was even another buyer? As you lay awake that night cursing your lawyer for making you wait (it has to be somebody's fault, doesn't it?) you ponder the ways that the entire mess could have been avoided. I have the answer...and in most cases, it wouldn't have cost you a cent!
If you are serious about buying a home, then get to work and find yourself a real estate agent. For every horror story you've heard there are twice as many good ones signing our praises.
In this particular situation, working with a real estate agent would have meant that your agreed upon contract would have been in writing, signed by both you and good ol'Harry and Barb. In this case as well, there's a good chance that your real estate agent would have been paid a commission by the sellers, with no cost to you. Having your offer in writing prepared by an agent and agreed to by both you and the sellers, would have also meant that your offer would stand. Harry and Barb would be well within their rights to accept another offer, however it would have been in a back-up position, meaning it would only take effect should your agreement fall through.
Your real estate agent would have also placed in your agreement of purchase and sale, conditions that would protect you should you be unable to follow through with the deal. You loved the house, but what if your lender didn't. No money...no house. Your real estate agent would have made sure you were given time to explore your options and were you not able to procure financing within a specified time frame, your deposit would be returned to you without interest or penalty.
We know you wanted to trust Harry and Barb, cute older couple that they were, but there's a pretty good chance your agent would have made sure you also had the home inspected by a qualified building inspector. It may seem like no big deal that you couldn't watch t.v while you were microwaving your popcorn, and although Harry and Barb may have lived that way for twenty years, the problem could be much more costly than they were letting on. An inspector would have looked into it on YOUR behalf, at least making sure you were really aware of the issue.
These are only two ways a licensed real estate agent could have helped. The list is endless, and if you've really got your ear to the ground, there's a good chance you've heard more horror stories from folks who have taken the private sale route than those who have invested their time working with a real estate agent.
I could go on and and on about the ways realtors help, but the bottom line is your property purchase will no doubt be one of the biggest in your life...do you really want to trust it to good ol'Harry and Barb? The post card you just got from them gambling your deposit away in Vegas should make the answer pretty easy. check over here
leduc real estate
Business name: Sarah Lizee RE/MAX Real Estate Leduc Branch
Address: 5306 50 St, Leduc, AB T9E 6Z6, Canada
Phone number: +17802983637
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