the main floor.
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
This 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 find a good home at a good price without the services of a professional real estate agent — more with veteran buyers than with first-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 benefit, 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 find 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 find a home that you would never have found on your own. They 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 first buyer’s agent whose advertisement you see online or on a bench, or the first one your friend
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