You can find real estate listings online, but this is only a small part of the work that a real estate agent does for you when you purchase a new home. It may be tempting to try and find a home without the services of an agent, but you will quickly discover that the process is more complicated than it looks on the surface. If you are buying a home for the first time, just the paperwork alone is enough to leave you overwhelmed. From finding the type of neighborhood you are looking for to negotiating the final offer, a real estate agent will be there for you every step of the way to make the deal successful.

Locating a Property

If you locate a property you are interested in online, your real estate agent can set up a showing. You might learn that the neighborhood isn't a great one for young children or that there is another property nearby that is a better match. Your real estate agent will talk to you about what you are looking for and help you narrow down your search to a number of homes that are a good match. Once you know what you want, it becomes easier to make an offer when you find it.

Going Through the Inspection

Once a seller accepts your offer to purchase a home, the property goes through a careful inspection. If there are issues uncovered during the inspection that require a repair, your real estate agent will negotiate these repairs with the seller. You may get a lower purchase price, or the seller might have to make the repairs before the sale goes through. If the inspection uncovers serious issues, you might back out of the purchase and move on to another property.

Completing the Purchase and Sale Agreement

Your real estate agent will explain what is going on with the purchase of your new home throughout the process. The purchase and sale agreement outlines every aspect of the sale, including the parameters of the property, the price, and includes all financial details. If you have questions, talk to your real estate agent so that you can understand what is going on.

Buying a home is an exciting time, it is always best to do so with the guidance of a real estate agent. It's a complicated process, and you will want an agent that is there for you to negotiate on your behalf throughout the deal.