Baton Rouge Realtor Homes

I know lots of us like to get advice from someone who we trust greatly before making big decsions.  In fact, it’s perfectly normal.  But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do this.  So, if you are a buyer or seller and you plan to make a move soon and want the advice of an uncle, an aunt, a parent, or other trusty advisor this article is for you!

First, I assume that you want your advisor involved either because they are older/wiser than you are or because they have purchased and sold more real estate than you or both.  These are good reasons.  I know that when I make big decisions I still like to get my parents’ input because they are wiser (we won’t call them “older” because they get sensitive to that “old” stuff).  Realistically, I know that they have had their opportunities to make mistakes so why not learn from their mistakes instead of having to make my own!

When you get started, bring your advisor(s) to your first meeting with your REALTOR.  It’s important for a couple of reasons.  First, “who” you select to represent you in your real estate transaction is your first BIG decisions.  Let your advisor(s) meet that person and help you determine if your real estate agent is as good as you think they are.  This is the first big step you’ll take.

If you are selling a home, your advisor(s) won’t be needed again until you get an offer.  When your agent makes the appointment to discuss the offer with you, be sure to schedule it so that your advisor(s) is there as well.  All the questions can be asked at one time and your family member and your REALTOR can work together to help you achieve your goal.  It is key that everyone is working together to help you!

If you are buying a home, I suggest that your family member view the homes with you.  Most buyers tend to buy on emotion.  You will have the added benefit of your advisor giving you a less emotional opinion of each home as you see it, in conjunction with your REALTOR’s opnion in terms of values, quality, and resale.  Once again, everyone is working together to help you achieve your goal.

By being sure to have your chosen advisor with you each step of the way, you eliminate some trouble for you.  I’ve seen before a thousand times.  A buyer picks out the prettiest house from the whole lot, brings Auntie Em who has bought and sold apartments for a living and the very excited buyer who just loves the home they chose asks Auntie Em what she thinks and ole Auntie says, “Well, it’s ok, but I’m sure you could do better.” If only Auntie Em had seen the other 10 houses that were awful, then she, too, would know what a great home the buyer had chosen.

The entire process of buying or selling a home can be a big undertaking.  This is just one tip to make it a little less stressful for you and a little easier.  The whole process is one big education, so leaving someone as important as your advisor out of one of the loops can hurt the process for you.  So bring them along for everything.  And you’ll get better, more helpful advice from your friends/family.