You might have heard success stories of buyers who have managed to find a good home at a good price and go through most of the steps successfully—without a professional buyer’s agent—but you need to understand and remember that these stories are the exception, rather than the rule. There are many risks and pitfalls involved with going it solo, and hiring an agent can help you not only avoid these but can also make the entire home-selling and home-buying process while downsizing go as smoothly and stress-free as possible. “But there’s that pesky fee!” you might protest. While that’s true, hiring an agent can save you time, energy, stress, and even money, since professional, qualified, and experienced real estate agents know the ins and outs of the real estate market as well as the dos and don’ts of negotiating so you can get a fantastic deal on your next home—likely a much better deal than if you were going solo. They will also likely help you find that “one” home that meets all your needs and some of your wants. The other important piece to note is that many homeowners who are downsizing have been “out of the loop” since they last searched for a home, so having a buyer’s agent work with you is truly an invaluable resource that you don’t want to take lightly. Finally, don’t hire the first agent that you happen to notice or that someone recommends or that someone contacts you to entice you to downsize. You need to do your due diligence and research.
Step #4: Create a List of Needs vs. Wants
We’ve dedicated an entire chapter to this important concept—making a list of both your needs and your wants when it comes to your ideal next home—but it bears repeating here, as it’s a fundamental step in the 12-step guide to buying a home.
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