the ma in fl oor. Design matters! You need to determine the right type of home design that meets your needs and those of your family, if applicable. Step 7: Hire an Agent Th is step has been mentioned many times throughout this book so far, but it bears repeating. I’ve dedicated an entire chapter to why it’s important to have a professional buyer’s agent working alongside you throughout the entire home-search and home- buying process (Chapter 2). Sure, there are success stories of buyers who’ve managed to fin d a good home at a good price without the services of a professional real estate agent — more with veteran buyers than with fir st-time buyers — but these cases are generally considered the exception rather than the rule. FSBO (For Sale By Owner) situations can work out to your bene fi t, but it’s highly recommended to avoid the potential risks and pitfalls and hire an agent. Sure, there’s a commission fee involved, but you’ll save yourself a lot of stress, time, and energy with an agent — plus, there’s a good chance your agent will be able to fin d you an even better home than you were hoping for, at an even better deal, essentially negating the commission fee. Real estate agents know the ins and out of the housing market and can help you fin d a home that you would never have found on your own. Th ey can also advise against certain properties that don’t meet your criteria or fail certain home inspections, negotiate on your behalf, and help with the sometimes-complicated closing process. Note: Don’t just hire the fir st buyer’s agent whose advertisement you see online or on a bench, or the fir st one your friend 80
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