Kathryn has advised some of her clients not to purchase properties. Here are a few property defects to look for:
- Surface water management – it is helpful to look at properties in the rain to see how well the drainage system is working.
- How well is the home built and have subsequent remodels been legally approved?
- Dry rot – even newly constructed homes that have passed city inspections have been known to have untreated lumber.
Is it as good as it sounds?Have you ever rushed out to see a new listing only to discover the property was not as good as advertised? Don’t miss out on a big game - call or email Kathryn for the real scoop about any listed property. Kathryn makes a practice of previewing properties on a daily and weekly basis so that she can speak first-hand about the pros and cons of each one to her clients.
Kathryn works diligently to discover:
- Why is the property being sold, if the listed price is in line with reality.
- Is it the best or worst house on the block, what is the true condition of the interior.
- Is there is a major downside to the lot or location, is the property still available?
- Is it sold firm, pending a building inspection, or contingent upon the sale of another property?
- How feasible is a back-up offer?
Do you want to maintain your independence while looking on your own? Instead of obtaining information from whichever agent happens to be advertising or showing the property of interest, contact Kathryn. To build the goodwill of her business, she is service-oriented rather than sales-oriented.
- Leverage Kathryn's complimentary Preliminary Assistance Program - start by requesting a personal planner. This is a no cost or obligation service to back you up while you are conducting your research. You gain one credible point of REALTOR® contact to translate your web research data, and discern the relevance of information to your situation.
- Remember when you see "Exclusively by" this refers to the type of listing agreement where the listing agent will receive a commission regardless of who sells the property. Kathryn can assist you with all listed properties including for sale by owners. Ask for more details.
Before disclosing any information about your finances or motivation to buy, find out who the agent you are speaking to represents. Some people get blind-sided by a dual agency situation when speaking with an agent at an open house.
- If the agent is the listing agent who represents the seller and offers to represent you as a buyer, this is a dual agent.
- The agent must then step into a facilitator role and try to bring the parties together without fully representing either one.
- There is a duty to hold information confidential between the parties but will the negotiation results meet with your expectations?
- The brokerage fee is typically apportioned between the listing and selling agents. When there is only one agent who stands to earn both sides of the brokerage fee, whose best interest do you think they are really working for?