company that I won't name, that puts a lock on your front door and then proceeds to give access to anyone with a cell phone. Can you imagine walking into a home like that and finding a criminal with less-than-desirable intentions inside? No, thank you. There is a reason some agents have a conceal-and-carry permit these days. Ok, enough about that. On to more exciting topics like, you have a buyer and/or you’ve found “the one”!! — that home that meets your needs as you transition from your current house into one that better suits your situation as you move into your next phase of life and that fits within your price range — it’s time to make an offer! This step can be both exciting and stressful. Again, hiring an agent will save you a lot of the potential stress. If you choose to work without an agent, you put yourself at risk of making expensive mistakes or even screwing up the entire deal. It's hard for the average person to remove their emotions from the negotiating table. Making an offer might look considerably different from what it did decades ago. Real estate laws and requirements change over time and can vary from state to state. Keep yourself up-to-date with all new home-buying and housing market information applicable to your area. Your agent can be a great help in this area, especially if you’re overwhelmed and don’t quite know where to start. ***But what if you've chosen to move out of state? Can your agent still represent you? Well, that depends. Today, there are some agents that hold a license in the state they live and practice real estate in and also neighboring states if these are states people often move to. Like Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South and North Carolina. The best thing to do is have a conversation with your agent early on to determine if they truly have the
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