In mid-2023, Jay & Lakshmi and their toddler Rishi were preparing for a transition from Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA. At the time, housing inventory was tight and the market for homes was competitive. On their house-hunting trip, they toured several open houses, and that’s where they made a connection with the Christensen Realty Group (CRG), and met Meghna Surana. 

Meghna Surana asked questions to understand their vision for their new home and where they were in the process of preparing for a home purchase. As she got to know them, they zeroed in on communities that fit their ideal for commute, amenities, schools and their budget.

As their Buyer’s Agent, Meghna kept them informed of potential properties that fit their profile. Even when they temporarily returned to Seattle, she arranged video tours of homes and shared contacts for lenders through which they were able to compare loan options and find a program with favorable terms that fit their specific needs and timeline. 

When Jay and Lakshmi found the home they wanted, they were a few steps ahead of the game because they had already obtained a pre-underwritten loan approval. The key difference compared to a standard pre-approval letter is that the mortgage lender performs the majority of the underwriting process before a homebuyer even makes an offer, rather than after a purchase agreement is signed, saving time and sidestepping any issues that might cause an unfortunate delay. 

Jay reflected, “Meghna was especially helpful when it came to hashing out the negotiations after our offer was accepted. For the home inspection she helped us know what was a big deal and what was not, so we knew where to focus our negotiation.” 

Now in their home for 9 months, Jay and Lakshmi are enjoying making the home “theirs” with a few improvements and delighting in watching little Rishi grow. All the neighbors on their street recently got together for a cul-de-sac party where everyone brought food to share and got to know one another. 

A knowledgeable and active Buyer’s Agent is a huge asset for prospective home buyers who benefit from their experience and hyper-local understanding of the real estate market. In a competitive housing environment, buyers should want someone on their team to protect their interests, spot potential issues, and keep the transaction moving forward to the goal: A successful close and keys to the dream and keys to a home! 

Here are 5 important things a Buyer’s Agent does for their client:

1. Preparation

The role of the Buyer’s Agent starts before showing houses and writing offers. A good first step is a conversation to understand the home buyer’s wishes, their timeline and readiness for making a purchase. The Agent will be able to educate a buyer on market conditions to help align their expectations and goals with the process, help them prepare for financing by providing referrals for mortgage lending, and have a strategy in mind for when the time comes to submit offers. 

2. Showing Property

When it’s time to look at property, a Buyer’s Agent will help identify homes that match the buyer’s preferences and budget by providing direction for their search, and they may know about inventory beyond what they have seen online. An Agent should provide in depth information on the details of a specific property of interest, and help the buyer narrow their focus to the properties most worthy of consideration, thereby making the search more efficient and productive. 

3. Submitting Offers & Negotiation

When the home buyers have found a property they want to purchase, the Buyer’s Agent prepares the offer and advises the buyers on nuanced details like contingencies, down payment, escrow terms and the appropriate amount to offer. These subtle details can make all the difference in preparing an offer that is competitive and appealing to the seller. A good Agent negotiates the best deal on the home and ensures that the contract contains protections for the buyer, makes sure the buyer understands everything they are obligating themselves to in advance, and that they are aware of all deadlines and responsibilities. 

4. Oversee the Transaction

When the offer is accepted, the Agent diligently represents the buyer in negotiations that follow, and advocates for their client in order to ensure the transaction moves forward smoothly and fairly, and all deadlines are met. 

5. Following the Sale

Once the deal is in place, the Buyer’s Agent can provide referrals to reputable professionals like movers and contractors so buyers know they are working with someone they can trust. 

The enthusiasm and experience of a Buyer’s Agent can make all the difference in the ultimate success of the home purchase. The Christensen Realty Group takes pride in providing exceptional, personalized service to all of our clients. If you or someone you know would like to talk to someone on our team about a home purchase or sale, we welcome you to contact us anytime.  858-869-9035   support@christensenrealtygroup.com