“That’s Who We R “

REALTORS® bring value, partnership, and expertise to every aspect of the property ownership journey.

Advice for Buyers

Real estate transactions are complicated. A Texas REALTOR® will help you with the following steps and much more.

  • Before you start looking, make a list of what you want and assign each item a priority. Some areas to consider are the location,type of home, and age of the home.

  • Most loans require a downpayment. The amount varies, but 20% of the purchase price is typical. If you’re a first-time buyer or fall below certain income thresholds, you may qualify for affordable-housing programs. Generally, a higher downpayment means better loan terms and a lower interest expense on the mortgage.

    Qualifying for a loan: A lender will determine how much he thinks you can afford based on your income, employment history, education, assets (e.g., bank account balances, other property, insurance policies, pension funds), and debt. Check your credit report before the lender does to clear up any problems.

    Your comfort level: You don’t have to spend $200,000 on a home just because the lender says you can afford a $200,000 home. Do some math and determine what you’re comfortable spending.

  • You’ve figured out your home-search criteria and what you can afford. Now find a house and make an offer. Your REALTOR® is an invaluable part of this process. He or she will help you prepare a contract, negotiate, juggle inspections and option periods, and more.

  • Unless you’re paying cash for the home, you’ll need a loan. Keep in mind the true price of financing goes beyond the interest rate alone. Consider items such as points, total lender fees, term of the loan, and penalties for early payment. The lender will likely require an appraisal to verify that the home is worth the cost of the loan as well as a physical survey. Repairs may be required. Insurance must be purchased. All these conditions and others must be satisfied before a transaction can close.

  • After weeks or even months of research and decision-making, you close the transaction, usually at the title company’s office. The title agent ask you to sign many, many documents and will explain each one. You’ll present a cashier’s check to the seller, sign another document that itemizes closing costs (the lender will have given you an estimate in advance), and pay your share of the closing costs. In return, you will receive a deed, transferring ownership rights to you.

Advice for Sellers

Selling a home can be complicated—you’re probably trying to purchase another property while selling this one. Using a REALTOR® will save you time and money by setting the correct price for your home, marketing and showing your property, advising you about the pros and cons of offers submitted for your home, helping you negotiate favorable terms, and negotiating on your behalf.

  • If you ask too much, you may not find a buyer. If you price the home too low, you’ll cheat yourself out of money. Websites with quickie value estimators aren’t the way to determine the value of your home. Go to the only people with the data and the expertise to accurately read your market: REALTORS®.

  • In preparing your home for viewing by prospective buyers, remember that people buy on emotions. Your home has to feel right or buyers will look elsewhere. Look at your home objectively and listen to suggestions from your agent about ways to make your home more appealing, such as cleaning, decluttering, removing personal items, making cosmetic repairs, etc.

  • When a buyer makes an offer, what do you do? Your REALTOR® will help you review it. If you’re lucky enough to have more than one offer, he or she will discuss your options to do what’s best for you. Once an offer is accepted by you and the buyers, the buyers will perform inspections and finalize the deal.

How REALTORS®

Can Help

Before you enter the world of real estate on your own, see if a Texas REALTOR® can help you instead. Here are some reasons why you should reach out to a Texas REALTOR®.

  • Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. REALTORS® pledge to abide by a Code of Ethics that goes beyond what’s required by law, keeping your interests first and setting high standards for professional behavior.

    Read the REALTOR® Code of Ethics

    If you believe a Texas REALTOR® has violated the Code of Ethics, you can file a complaint.

  • They protect the rights of property owners. They fight proposals that would increase the burdens on buying, selling, and owning real estate. And they bring property-owners’ concerns to the Legislature, regulatory agencies, and local authorities.

    Learn more about how Texas REALTORS® advocate on your behalf

  • When a buyer makes an offer, what do you do? Your REALTOR® will help you review it. If you’re lucky enough to have more than one offer, he or she will discuss your options to do what’s best for you. Once an offer is accepted by you and the buyers, the buyers will perform inspections and finalize the deal.

  • In addition to the hundreds of classroom hours required to hold a real estate license, Texas REALTORS® take advantage of continuing educational opportunities to stay up-to-date on industry trends and developments. Many Texas REALTORS® also undertake specialized training to better serve subsets of consumers, shown by the letters that often follow their names (known as designations or certifications).

    Through their association, Texas REALTORS® also have exclusive access to more than 100 forms related to real estate activity, making your transaction go smoothly and saving time.

  • While you could use a home-valuation website that tells you a number, you shouldn’t rely on it alone. These sites often don’t know the details of your property, the current market, and what buyers are looking for in your area. A Texas REALTOR® can help you determine a more accurate price for your property.

  • You could spend hours and hours searching for properties online, contacting owners or their agents to see the property, and figuring out whether it’s a good deal. Or, you could hire a Texas REALTOR® to cut through the clutter by determining your needs, finding properties that fit those parameters for you, and setting up tours to see them. On top of that, they can help you figure out if the price is right and what you can afford.

  • Not everyone is skilled at negotiations, but Texas REALTORS® are. They’re armed with the most up-to-date information about laws, the market, and more that puts them in a position to negotiate on your behalf with confidence.

  • Texas REALTORS® can save you a lot of time and hassles by handling the tasks you don’t have time to manage. For example, Texas REALTORS® have experience marketing properties, which means you don’t have to come up with a plan on your own. They also facilitate and explain the entire transaction process so you don’t have to keep track of every single detail.

Prepare for Your Move

CHECKLIST

  • at usps.com or fill out a change-of-address form at your local post office.

  • such as your bank(s), credit companies, magazine subscriptions, and others.

  • Whether you plan on sending formal change-of-address notices in the mail or just e-mailing the family members, friends, and colleagues who should be informed, a list will ensure no one gets left out.

  • Make sure they’re aware of your move date, and arrange for service at your new home if the service provider will remain the same.

  • The insurance your moving company provides will generally only cover the items they transport for you. Ensure you have coverage for any items you’ll be moving yourself.

  • This will make them easier to pack, move, and plug in at your new place.

  • about any restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits or entrances for moving, if applicable.

  • nclude items you’ll need most, such as toilet paper, soap, trash bags, chargers, box cutters, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pens and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, towels, and basic toiletries.

  • Obtain copies of important records from your doctor, dentist, pharmacy, veterinarian, and children’s schools.

    E-mail a copy of your driving route to a family member or friend.

    Empty your safe deposit box.